The animal's carcass was then washed ashore in a quiet Derry suburb where it still lies on the riverbank.

In an illfated fight for survival the animal was able to force its hind legs' through the sack but was unable to escape.

This, according to Joanne Mullan, a volunteer at the Rainbow Animal Shelter who attended the scene, displays a level of animal cruelty described as 'the tip of an iceberg in the North West'.

Remarkably the pictures were taken by Ms. Mullan while investigating a totally separate case of animal cruelty on the Bay Road Industrial Estate.

Having first received a call concerning a cat trapped in a hamster cage, Ms. Mullan found: "to my horror, the cats back legs were badly injured before the animal was caged and abandoned in the middle of the Bay Road."

There was nothing anyone could do and a veterinarian was called who had no choice but to put the animal to sleep. It is believed the cat was a household pet.

"This is something I have never seen in my life before," said Joanne who has worked at the animal shelter for the last ten years.
It was while attending to the cat that a passer by informed her of the dead dog on the riverbank.

"It was a horrible day and it was clear that this dog was still alive when dumped in the river, as it pushed its legs through the sack. Although badly decomposed I believe it to be a greyhound carcass.

"This animal died a horrific horrendous death. This is totally inexcusable and absolutely disgusting but probably is just the tip of the iceberg."