The way the terrier’s front and back legs were locked together with a cable tie means there is a chance the unfortunate animal was still alive when it was dumped in woodland.

Experts have yet to determine exactly how the black and white Staffordshire bull terrier died or whether it was still breathing when thrown away like rubbish. Checks have revealed the dog had a bruised mouth.

Yet whoever abandoned the animal went to great lengths to make sure it was neither found nor were there any clues to where it came from. It was not wearing a collar and had not been fitted with a microchip.

Besides being hogtied, the dog was also wrapped up before being put inside the bag which was then zipped and finally discarded in a remote area of the New Forest.

A tree surgeon came across the distressing discovery while working in woodland near Dibden Purlieu.

RSPCA inspector Penny Baker, who is investigating the case, said: “He was found in a large, brand new zipped-up rucksack. Inside the bag the dog was wrapped up in a duvet cover and gaffa taped, and had his legs bound together with cable ties.

“Tree-cutters who were working in the area had discovered the bag, which was very deliberately placed deep in undergrowth, and contacted us with their concerns.

“He was in normal bodily condition with some scabbing around his groin area and bruising inside his mouth but it is not clear how he died.

“I’d be really interested to know where this dog has come from and how he ended up buried in a bag with his legs bound together.”

“If anyone recognises him, knows where he may have come from, or saw anything suspicious in the area when the body was dumped then I’d really like to hear from them.’

Because the dog had no microchip, the RSPCA has been unable to trace where he came from or find any details of previous owners.

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