The “broken body” of a dog was found dumped in a river, two weeks after she had gone missing.

At around 4.20pm on August 20, grey Staffordshire Bull Terrier Saffi vanished when she was on a walk with her owner and their two other dogs in Footscray Meadows, Sidcup.

When the six-year-old failed to return home the family enlisted the help of The Missing Paw Team, which helps owners of missing and stolen pets.

The nearby river was searched extensively by teams on a daily basis and reeds and hollows were checked but nothing was found.

Saffi was reported to the police as stolen as there had been no confirmed sightings of her since her disappearance.

However on Sunday (September 3), two weeks after she went missing, her body was found in the river by a member of the public.

It had been left in an area which the team had searched many times already.

Saffi had significant injuries including multiple bone fractures, bruising and puncture wounds.

The Missing Paw Team said the injuries can “only have been inflicted by human hands”.

Brogan, the sister of Saffi’s owner, said: “The moment Saffi disappeared our hearts began to break, day by day this continued, until that Sunday when they were shattered beyond repair like her tiny little body.

“We are so grateful to everyone who helped in our search, whether it be by foot, by mouth or social media and we are especially grateful to volunteers at The Missing Paw Team and Missing Animals Support and Advice, two organisations who without we would have been totally helpless.

“To us Saffi was not a pet, she was family. We have the most wonderful memories of her and were blessed to have had her in our lives. We will love and miss her always.

“Thank you to everyone for your messages of condolence and support.”

It is thought the body was returned to the area between 3pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

The Missing Paw Team is appealing for information.

If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area between 4.30pm on August 20 and 10am on September 3 contact the organisation via its email at info@themissingpawteamuk.co.uk or its telephone number 0770219414.

It is also trying to get a petition into parliament for a debate to make pet abduction a specific criminal offence, which would give authorities greater sentencing powers for the theft of dogs.

An RSPCA spokesman said: “It is very distressing to hear about the discovery of this dog in these circumstances.

“The RSPCA would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to ring our appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 – or to report any information about pet theft to police.”

Met Police have confirmed they are investigating after a dog was stolen in Bexley and was later found fatally injured.

A Met Police spokesman said: “The matter was reported to police on Friday, September 1 as a theft.

“Police inquiries were undertaken, however no viable lines of inquiry were established.

“We understand the upset and distress that cases such as this cause to families. Dogs are not merely pets, they are a part of the family unit and our thoughts are with the owners at this sad time.

“At this stage there have been no arrests. Officers from South East Command investigate. inquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone who has information should call police on 101 quoting 5618/20AUG.

To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-org.uk.