Ten dead dogs found in bag pulled from Leeds canal

Nine months after an almost identical incident in the same body of water, ten dead dogs were found in a bag pulled from a canal in Leeds, the RSPCA said.

The bag, containing two adults and eight puppies, was pulled from the canal beside the River Aire near Holts Crest Way on May 20.

Two adult French bulldogs, six French bulldog puppies and two terrier puppies as well as a red brick were found in the bag.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Hannah Williams said: “It is highly suspicious that two identical incidents have occurred in the same area.”

The RSPCA was contacted after a passerby saw a large Sports Direct bag in the canal and feared there was an animal inside.

Charity officials and a crew from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service retrieved the bag and discovered the animals inside.

In August, a family of French bulldogs – two adult dogs and three puppies – who were believed to have drowned were pulled from the canal, again in a Sports Direct bag, the charity said.

Despite an appeal for information to the RSPCA, the person responsible for the incident could not be located.

Ms Williams said: “It is highly suspicious that two identical incidents have occurred in the same area, both involving French bulldog families and both involving Sports Direct bags.

“It is very likely that there is a connection.”

She added: “It’s horrific to think what these poor dogs have been through and I’m desperate to find out what happened before they were discovered.

“They did not appear to be in poor health, which leads us to believe they may have been intentionally drowned.”

The RSPCA has asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them.

The charity also urged residents to review CCTV footage from May 20 to see if it shows anyone walking French bulldogs or carrying a large Sports Direct bag.