LEADING public figures in Dudley have expressed their disgust at the brutal killing of a dog in the town.

The staffie/mastiff was found hanged by a chain from railings in Bishop Close on June 28 near Kates Hill Primary School.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin is so outraged he has offered a reward of £250 for anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of the people responsible for the death of the dog.

Mr Austin said: “Decent people will be appalled by such an horrendous crime. It is utterly barbaric and you have to question the mentality of the people responsible.

“Someone must know who did this and I hope they come forward with any information they have so the police and RSPCA can bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Someone in the community will know who had a dog and no longer has it, if someone wants to give me the information I will pass it on to police.

“I know local people will be outraged that this could happen in Dudley. I have worked hard to campaign on animal welfare issues. Incidents like this remind us why much more still needs to be done.”

Mr Austin’s parliamentary neighbour, Chris Kelly in Dudley South, described the incident as shocking and sickening.

He has written to the Home Secretary demanding the full weight of the law is thrown at the offenders.

Mr Kelly said: “I hope that Dudley Police are successful in finding arresting the culprits and that the full weight of the law — including the maximum sentence — will be applied in the event of a successful conviction. A strong message must be sent out across the country that animal cruelty is unacceptable in our society.”

Dudley’s Conservative group leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, goes even further, demanding the villains get the same treatment.

Cllr Harley said: “I hope if they find the person who did this that the same punishment could be administered to them.

“As an owner of two Staffordshire bull terriers I’d be first in the queue to give them a taste of their own medicine. They are absolutely low life and don’t deserve to be breathing the same air as the rest of us.”

The dog is believed to be no more than two years old and the RSPCA say it was sure to have suffered in a deliberate killing where it was lowered over the fence and pulled up before the chain was attached to the railings.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the RSPCA’s inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

Mr Austin’s Dudley office can be contacted on 01384 342 503/4.