‘DESPICABLE thugs’ drowned a tiny terrier by tying him up while he was still alive and throwing him into a canal in a weighted-down rucksack.

An RSPCA inspector said the killing of 18-month-old terrier Freddie was the worst cruelty he had seen in his career.

The wire-haired terrier was found floating face-down in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal under the bridge off Burnley Road, near to Moorfield Way, Altham.

Tests revealed Freddie was alive when he was thrown in to the water.

Experts said he would have endured a ‘terrible death’.

RSPCA Inspector Mandi Barr said: “This poor little dog never stood a chance.

"Two carrier bags, tied together, had been used to attach a rock-stuffed rucksack to him.

“This was a deliberate and horrific act of deliberate cruelty and the worst of its kind I have seen in my six years in the job.

"It has upset myself and my colleagues considerably.”

She said the person responsible was a ‘callous and cruel coward’.

“We don’t want them to get away with this,” Insp Barr said.

“This dog has suffered an awful death and someone is responsible for that. Please, if you think you can help, call us.”

Freddie was microchipped which allowed his owners to be traced.

Insp Barr said: “They had put him outside in the garden at around 7am that morning.

"Naturally they’re very upset about what’s happened.”

A walker spotted the dog’s body. He called police who alerted the RSPCA.

Steve Wood, who runs the Hyndburn Stray Dogs in Need charity, said the culprits ‘should be hanged’.

He said: “This is an appalling and disgraceful act of cruelty.

“I just hope that they find who did this and string them up.

“Cruelty to animals like this is unforgiveable. This dog would not have had a clue what was happening to him.

“It is completely unnecessary and horrible.”

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the maximum fine for animal cruelty and welfare offences is £20,000. The maximum term of imprisonment is six months.

Freddie was mostly black, with a white stomach and tan patches on his face and legs.

"The rucksack was purple with black straps and a red ‘Head’ logo on it.

The incident happned early on August 2 but the RSPCA has only just released details.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious or has information should call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 and ask to leave a message for Inspector Barr.