Police probe after four American Bulldogs found dead in plastic bags in Thamesmead Lake

Three adult dogs and a seven-month-old female puppy were pulled Southmere Lakes by a marine unit after being spotted by horrified residents
Vicki Hudson
Barney Davis @BarneyDavisES27 September 2022

Police are hunting the owner of four American Bulldogs which were found dead in body bags dumped in a south London beauty spot.

Three adult dogs and a seven-month-old female puppy were pulled Southmere Lakes by a marine unit after being spotted by horrified residents at 9pm on Saturday.

The three females and one male, aged two, showed “no signs of neglect or malnourishment” before being dumped according to local lost dog organisations. They had been in the water for up to two days, police said.

The discovery came amid fears the cost of living crisis was causing owners to discard their pets. Breeders can sell American Bulldog puppies £5,000 on the open market.

Post-mortems will be carried out to ascertain if they were dead before they were dumped in the lake.

Southmere Lakes
Paul Elliott

Vicki Hudson, director of lost dog organisation the Missing Paw Team UK, said “background checks” were underway to try and trace the owner.

She told the Standard: “This is the worse case I’ve dealt with in five years and it’s had a major impact on us as it was so horrific.

“I just can’t understand who would dispose of their pets this way even if the deaths were natural causes.”

She added: “All the dogs appeared to have been cared for and were well nourished with no signs of neglect, so it’s unbelievable they’ve ended up like this.

“If the owners couldn’t afford to keep them they could have handed them in for rescue.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an allegation of animal cruelty after four dogs were recovered dead from a lake.

“Officers were called at 8.49pm on Saturday, September 24, to Southmere Lake, Bazalgette Way, SE22.

“A person had reported three sacks floating in the lake which appeared to have something inside them.

“Marine Policing Unit officers attended and the bodies of four dogs were recovered from the lake. The dogs appeared to be similar to the American Bulldog type.

“The RSPCA have been informed and the MPS is working in consultation with them. Post mortems will take place in due course.

“Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police.”

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