AN investigation has been launched after a dog's badly burned body was found in woodland.

Children found the remains of the black and white collie-cross near The Avenue, in the Glebe area of Washington, on Wearside, at teatime on Saturday.

Earlier the same day, an animal with a similar description was reported missing, and RSPCA Chief Inspector Michelle Charlton said last night she feared the dead dog could be it.

The RSPCA is working with the police to investigate the animal's death, and police have conducted a fingertip search and are undertaking house to house inquiries. A post-mortem examination will be carried out on the body.

Chief Insp Charlton said the incident was one of the worst she had encountered.

"The RSPCA deals with a lot of cases of animals being beaten up and killed, but I've only once had a report of a dog being set on fire in 17 years," she said."It will make it very difficult for us to establish the actual cause of death.

"I will never understand why someone would want to do something like that. It was a deliberate act of cruelty."

Chief Insp Charlton appealed for help from the public to track down the culprits.

"I'm hopeful that we can find out who is responsible, but we really need help from members of the public with this investigation," she said.

"If anyone saw a person walking a black and white collie-type dog in the Glebe area, I would urge them to come forward.

"If they saw someone acting strangely in the wooded area, or if they saw somebody setting fire to a dog, then please get in touch with us or the police.