MYSTERY still surrounds the horrific deaths of two bull terrier-type dogs which were found floating in sewage.
A bitch and a male, both tan and cream, were discovered in the waste water treatment works on Mill Lane, Great Harwood, on Friday 2 February.
It is believed they were dumped down a manhole in either Accrington or Huncoat, perhaps after the owner had panicked following the outcry over dangerous dogs.
They were not microchipped and neither wore a collar but they seemed in a healthy condition, suggesting they were pets.
They may have already been dead but it is more likely that they drowned in the water.
RSPCA Inspector Katherine Hamblin said that neither dog showed signs of injuries and their legs were not tied together.
A spokesman for United Utilities said that the dogs were spotted after they became caught in a screen which filters sewage from the surrounding area before it enters the works.
He added: "We could only remove the dogs after scaffolding had been taken down to allow us access to the screen. The treatment works serves a big area but we can confidently say that the dogs would have been dumped into the sewer in the Accrington or Huncoat areas.
"This was not only extremely cruel but the actions of the person responsible could have damaged the treatment works."
In the past various items such as traffic cones, televisions and clothing have been found there.
Waste water is treated at the Great Harwood site and then returned safely to the environment.
Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA cruelty and advice line in confidence on 0870 5555 999.
