A desperate hunt has been launched for a group of yobs that were seen beating a puppy to death in a car park.
A witness saw the terrier puppy being repeatedly thrown in the air and hit by a stick by about 15 people at the Oak Park Active Living Centre in Walsall.
The RSPCA is appealing to anyone who may be able to identify any of the individuals in the vile group.
The pup suffered a fractured skull and a broken jaw, BirminghamLive reports.
It tragically died at about 6.10pm on July 29.
A member of the public found its body and reported the horrific attack to the RSPCA.
Inspector Vicki Taylor, who is investigating for the animal welfare charity, said: "Witnesses reported seeing the yelping puppy being thrown in the air and hit with a stick a number of times while surrounded by a group of around 15 people.
"A member of the public removed the dog’s dead body and contacted us to report what they had seen. Veterinary examination of the young black and tan terrier’s body showed the dog had suffered a fractured skull and broken jaw before his death."
She added: "This is a shocking way to behave towards a defenceless and vulnerable puppy. All animals should be treated with care and compassion, not heartlessly beaten and abused."
She said a number of caravans were parked in the car park at the time are keen to speak to anyone who lives there to see if they saw anything.
If anyone has any further information to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
Recent figures showed that over the last five years the RSPCA has received 4,491 reports of intentional cruelty to animals in the West Midlands - making it the third-highest in the country.
