A dead dog has been found in a suitcase.

A woman passer-by spotted the bright blue case on the side of the road in Troydale Lane, Pudsey, on Tuesday morning. Inside she found the female collie-cross.

RSPCA inspector Sarah Briscoe said: “It was an awful thing to find and understandably the lady was quite upset by it all.

“The dog had no obvious signs of injury and seemed to be in good body condition so it’s perfectly possible that she died of natural causes but of course we want to hear from anyone who knows differently.”

The dog is described as mostly black with a white chest and a greying muzzle suggesting she was elderly.

She had been wrapped in a cream towel before being put in the suitcase, which had the word “Chicane” written on it, and a white shower curtain was found nearby.

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for Inspector Briscoe.