An animal charity is pleading for help to catch the cruel killer of a tiny puppy who was sliced open and thrown out of a car window.

The horrifying discovery was made by a school pupil who found a plastic bag with the dog inside in Bigbury Road in Chartham Hatch in Canterbury on her way home from school.

The animal, a golden retriever and terrier cross aged eight to 10 weeks old, had been cut open along its stomach.

WARNING: Distressing image below

Natalia George, founder of charity Flori's Friends Rescue, was called out to deal with the heartbreaking find on Thursday afternoon.

"The dog had been gutted," she said. "It would have been a very slow and painful death.

"It was an abuse case. Someone had just done it, then lobbed it out of the car window."

Miss George, who runs animal re-homing centres in Chartham and Birchington, says she went out with a colleague to find the animal but there was nothing they could do.

"We waited for the police and called the RSPCA but there's not much they can do if there is no vehicle registration," she said.

"We're hoping there are witnesses. That is our main concern at the moment - trying to gather evidence and if anyone has seen something to report it to the RSPCA."

Miss George says Kent has a huge problem with such cases and admits it is something she comes across a lot.

"People put their dogs up for free on Gumtree and people use them for dog baiting," she said.

"They lower the dog as bait between two other dogs to get them thirsty for blood. They use cats too. Dog fighting is a big problem but people just aren't aware."

Police spokesman Natalie Hardy confirmed officers were called out to a report of a dead puppy at 4.30pm on Thursday, October 4.

"Inquiries are being carried out to determine how the animal, believed to be a golden retriever, received its injuries and whether any offences have taken place," she said.

Anyone with information on how the puppy sustained its injuries or whether one has been reported missing in the area should contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 04-1100.

Alternatively contact the RSPCA quoting reference number 13051018.