A dog has been found with her stomach and head covered in creosote and burned near the London Road cemetery in Smallford near St Albans.

A passerby, who found the small female springer spaniel still alive, took her to a nearby vet but she died from her burns shortly afterwards.

The spaniel, who was liver and white, had been bred and was around four years old. She was found at lunchtime on Tuesday, November 20, the RSPCA said.

RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall said: “We would like any information you can give us that might lead to the identification of this dog’s owner.

“To be deliberately burnt like this is an unimaginably cruel thing to do to any animal.

“If you saw anything suspicious in that area or simply know someone who has lost a springer spaniel, please call our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”