The body of an emaciated dog has been found in an abandoned pet carrier.
Walkers spotted the box in deep woodland in Spokane Valley, Washington, US, before instinctively checking what was inside.
To their horror, they discovered the dead body of a female dog.
The mixed breed was locked inside the grey carrier, which was covered in a red and white towel.
Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) were called to the scene and details of the animal's death have emerged.
According to a post on Facebook, a necropsy result showed the dog died of starvation and dehydration.
Her death was described as "painful and prolonged".
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The pooch suffered pressure sores on three of her feet, suggesting she had been standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time.
SCRAPS wrote in the post: "We believe this dog to have been the victim of first degree animal cruelty."
It is suggested the dog's death was intentional.
The animal protection service is calling for people who might have known the dog or the owner to contact them.
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Heartbroken animal lovers commented under the post as they slammed the irresponsible dog owner.
Katie Mae Youngren said: "If they wanted to abandon her, the LEAST they could've done is just let her run free.
"But instead abandon her in a crate, where it would lead to her inevitable death...monsters."
Lorri Gustafson Lafferty said it was 'inexcusable' and 'inhumane' to leave the dog locked inside a confined space.
One suggested fingerprints were tajeb evidence from the crate, and the animal group replied: "We are pursuing all available forensics leads."
