Sickened animal welfare officers are appealing for the public's help in finding out how and why the remains of six dead dogs were dumped next to a layby.

Stroud District Council's Animal Welfare Service is investigating after the carcass of a lurcher was found in a bag not far from two skulls of small adult dogs, the skull of a small puppy, a skeleton without a skull of a larger dog, and what is believed to be the remains of another dog.

"We don't know at this stage why the dogs ended up there but it is a sad sight and totally unnecessary," said SDC animal welfare officer Alex Myrie.

"The police alerted us and we are investigating, and we are checking with vets for any signs of identification."

She said the body of the dog found in the bag showed signs of being eaten at by wild animals. All appear to have been there - next to a layby near Stroud - for some time.

Lurchers are not a specific breed but a cross of a sighthound such as a greyhound or a whippet with another breed of dog.

The skulls are believed to be those of a Jack Russell-type dog. It is not clear at this stage how any of these dogs died.

Police were made aware of the discovery of the lurcher carcass, and a skeleton by a member of the public, in a layby in Holloway Road, Bisley on Sunday, April 14 and officers informed SDC Animal Welfare Service.

The following day animal welfare officers discovered the partial remains of four more dogs.

Councillor Simon Pickering, SDC environment committee chairman, said: "I am appalled by this discovery and ask if anyone has any information to please contact our Animal Welfare Service team."

The team is still investigating the dumping of a paralysed ferret in a dog waste bin in Uplands, Stroud at the end of March.

SDC officers rescued the animal but had to have it put down at a vets due to the severity of its injuries.

Anyone who knows anything about either case is asked to call the team on 01453 754492 or via its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/animalwelfaresdc 

Police can also be contacted about the dogs on 101, quoting incident 337 of April 15.