The post mortem results carried out on a dog found tied up with red Christmas ribbon before being thrown into Camlough lake have been released by Council.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council launched an animal cruelty probe following the death of the elderly male bichon type dog on December 29.
It had also been weighted down in the lake.
A Council spokesperson today (Tuesday) confirmed the dog did not show any evidence of wet drowning.
“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council can advise that following the discovery of a dog’s body at Camlough Lake near Newry on December 29, a post-mortem has been carried out,” the spokesperson explained.
“This has determined that the lungs of the elderly dog, identified as a male bichon type, did not show evidence of ‘wet drowning’, with no evidence of inhalation of water or significant debris.
“The most probable cause of death was cardiovascular failure resulting from endocardiosis.
“It is unclear if this occurred before or after immersion in the lake.
“Further investigation has not revealed any details of the dog owner nor the circumstances of how the dog’s body came to be in the lake.
“The Council reiterates its call for anyone with information surrounding this incident to report it to the Council’s Animal Welfare department or the PSNI.”
