Gardaí have been informed of an incident in Co Mayo in which a dog was drowned after being thrown into a river with a breeze block tied around its neck.

Graphic images of the dead dog were posted on the North West SPCA Ballina Facebook page after its body was removed from the River Moy.

They show a bloodied young Labrador/collie cross tied to a breeze block by a piece of string that was wrapped around its neck.

“We make no apology for these horrendously graphic photos,” said North West SPCA. “We got a phone call today about a situation at the Quay in Ballina from a man who had the awful task of pulling this poor dog out of the river.”

The organisation continued: “We called the gardaí and a vet and can confirm this was a young unneutered male, approximately one year old. No microchip.

“This was so difficult to witness, the suffering of the dog would have been unbearable. The cruelty involved in this is unspeakable. In this day and age it is unthinkable that anyone could carry out this cold blooded act. We are appealing to anyone that has any information please contact us or the gardaí.”

A woman named Catherine O’Hora posted under the image: “I was there today with the vet and gardaí and it was terribly upsetting, but more upsetting is the thought that someone took the time to tie the rope very tightly around the dog’s neck, then to a heavy concrete block and then threw him into the water.

“ I cannot get this picture out of my head and that is why I have posted this. This unnamed, unknown dog did not deserve to die like this and I would like to see the person or persons brought to justice, so to anyone out there who has some answers, please come forward.”