A MOTHER has spoken of her anger after her two pet dogs were shot dead and dumped in woodland.
Mandy James had appealed for West Briton readers to keep an eye out after four-year-old rottweiler bitch, Sky, and 18-month-old rottweiler cross German shepherd, Buster, escaped from her Gwennap Pit home near St Day in December.
But last week both dogs were found shot in the head and severely mutilated in Penstraze woods near Truro.
The RSPCA, which identified the dogs from an implanted microchip, confirmed it was investigating the deaths.
"I just feel very sad that somebody out there can be so evil and do something so cruel," the mother of four said. "My only consolation is that I know they were together, they can't be hurt any more and that people care about them."
Mrs James initially suspected the dogs might have been killed by a farmer to protect his livestock. But after talking to the RSPCA she added: "I don't think a farmer would have dumped them in the woods.
"It is possible that they were shot elsewhere and then dumped there. I wonder if somebody took them for fighting before they were killed. I am so upset and I just want other dog-owners to be aware and be careful with their pets.
The deaths have shocked animal welfare groups and dog charities.
Louise Clarke, centre manager at National Animal Welfare Trust in Hayle, described the incident as shocking. She said: "It was a rare event and every dog-owner's nightmare."
K9 Crusaders, a dog welfare charity in Bissoe, Truro, said organised dog dealing was at an all-time high nationally.
The RSPCA said it was unable to comment on the case.