The RSPCA is appealing for information after a dead puppy was found lying on a path in a South London park.

The underweight puppy, who was just a week old, was found by a resident in Betts Park near Seymour Villas in Beckenham on Tuesday morning (March 25). She put the young canine in a plastic bag and took her back to her home before contacting the RSPCA.

RSPCA Inspector Jade Guthrie, who collected the young dog, said: “This poor pup was found on a pathway in the park. There were no marks on her body, although she was underweight and very small. It looks like she’d very recently died and was still soft to touch.

“We just don’t know how the puppy ended up at this location. She might have died when her mother gave birth at the location or she could have been dumped there. It was a really sad discovery and we would like to hear from anyone who might have information as we are concerned about the dog’s mother and any other litter she may have had.”

Blankets were found strewn in bushes near to the path where the puppy was found. The brown and white coloured canine, who was not microchipped, may have been a bull breed, but because she was so young it was hard to determine.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 1476529.