**Warning graphic images**

A dog has been found buried in a shallow grave in a play park.

The RSPCA was called on September 11 by the dog warden who had received a call about the dog, which had its head uncovered, at the Kent View Recreation Road Ground, Grapnells, Pitsea.

The dog was a female akita type, possibly around 10 years old and was mostly white and cream in colour with dark markings on her head.

The dog, which was not microchipped, had a mass, thought to be a tumour, the size of a fist on her right hand side. She was wearing a thick metal choke chain with no tag and was wrapped in a blanket. She was buried in a shrub which was adjacent to the play area and while her body was buried her head was exposed.

RSPCA inspector Rebecca Benson, who is investigating, said: “It’s not clear whether this dog has died in suspicious circumstances or whether she died of natural causes and was then buried.

“This is a very unusual incident, and I am keen to speak to anyone who has any information as to who may have owned this dog or who knows what happened and why she was found here.

“The dog was large and needed two people to remove the body, so there may well have been two people involved in burying the dog, but I only have limited information to go on at this stage, and I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area or may have seen anything which may help us piece together what happened.”

“Anyone with any information which could help our investigation should contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give