Hong Kong police are investigating the death of a dog found floating in waters off Hung Hom with a rope tied to a pier around its waist.

The one-metre long female mongrel with black and white hair was found close to a pier near Tai Wan Shan Park at about 4pm on Wednesday.

A nylon rope was tied around its waist, with the other end bound to the railing of a staircase at the pier. A hollow metal object measuring 15cm (6 inches) in length was also attached to the rope.

The dog was confirmed dead after police pulled the partially swollen animal to shore.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was called to the scene and both police and SPCA officers carried out a preliminary check on the dog.

They seized the nylon rope and the metal object and tried to locate the dog’s owner.

But SPCA officers found no microchip on the animal, and a source close to the investigation said locating the owner would not be easy.

The source said the metal object might not have been heavy enough to pull the animal down into the water, adding that its purpose was yet to be determined.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will determine the cause of death, while a Hung Hom district investigation team will follow up on the case.

Main Source: SCMP