A WOMAN was horrified to find the remains of a dog, seemingly drowned in a bag, washed up on Ardrossan South Beach.

Lynn Paterson from Saltcoats was walking her young cocker spaniel at the shore on Saturday, February 4 when she made the gruesome discovery.

She told the Herald: “I was really upset. I think somebody’s killed it. They’ve put it in the bag and tossed it into the sea.

“I’m feeling sickened and angry. I’m still traumatised.

“It’s horrible. I want to let people in the Three Towns know that this is happening.”

Lynn had parked her car at Johnny Ho’s and followed her dog down to the beach when she spotted the grim parcel.

She said: “I just saw this white thing.

“My dog was rolling about in the sand, then all of a sudden she stopped dead and stepped away.

“It was a dog that had been washed up by the sea. It had been tied and bagged.

“It still had fur on its paw and you could see the skull and the jaw was broken off. It was absolutely disgusting.

“You could still see some of the canvas wrapped around it. I think it was a wee lurcher, you could tell by the back legs and the claws.

“Bless the wee thing and what it went through. I was devastated.

“I phoned the police and they said it could have been dumped anywhere and then been washed up.”

A spokesman from Police Scotland confirmed that officers had liaised with North Ayrshire Council’s Cleansing Department in cleaning up the remains.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We take all reports of this nature very seriously, however we have not had any reports of a dead dog being washed up in a bag in this area.

“Anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal should contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”