An animal cruelty investigator arrives at the gruesome scene on grassland outside a Ballymun estate (Picture:

Warning: Distressing description of animal cruelty.

An animal charity has described one of the ‘most distressing cases’ it has ever seen after it was called to a badly burned dog.

NSPCA inspectors are investigating the charred remains of a dog outside an estate in Ballymun,a suburb just outside Dublin.

The NSPCA has appealed to the public to help solve what it described as one of the worst cases of animal cruelty their officers have encountered

Inspectors ‘did everything possible’ to identify the animal,including scanning for a microchip on Thursday.

‘Tragically,the remains were so badly damaged that identification was not possible.

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.‘Inspectors also discovered what appeared to be a stick or pole lodged in the dog’s body,’ they said.They added: ‘This is one of the most distressing cases our Inspectors have encountered. No animal should ever suffer or be treated in this way.’The badly charred remains of the pet left it unrecognisable (Picture: DSPCA)The NSPCA is appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything that could assist in its enquiries,‘no matter how insignificant it may seem’.‘Your information could make all the difference,’ it said. Adding: ‘All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.’Asked by Metro about rumours spread by Turning Point UK the dog had been eaten,a Garda spokesperson said the force ‘does not comment on material posted online,which cannot be verified’.The force are investigating the death.The NSPCA has been contacted for further comment.