POLICE are still hunting the thugs who threw a puppy to its death from a motorway bridge nearly two weeks ago.

The Labrador-mongrel had its legs and jaw bound with tape.

It survived the 30ft drop onto the southbound carriageway of the M66 at Ramsbottom on the night of May 24, but was killed instantly when it was hit by a car.

The incident provoked outrage across the country and led to

The Sun offering a £1,000 reward to anyone with information about the culprits.

A local businessman also offered £500 for the arrest and conviction of the puppy's killers.

Police and the RSPCA are investigating the dog's death but have yet to receive any positive lines of inquiry. The tape used to tie up the dog has been sent off for forensic examination in an effort to get fingerprints of the callous killers. Sergeant Chris Nealand, of the Greater Manchester Police motorway unit, said: "We have had many calls from members of the public who were shocked and outraged by what happened to this puppy."

Anyone with information about the offenders can contact the police on 0161 872 5050, the RSPCA animal cruelty hotline on 0870 5555 999, or The Sun on 0161 935 5315.