A fatally injured chihauhua was brought into an animal hospital by two men who refused to give any details about its owner.
The dog had suffered wounds to her mouth and a burnt nose and whiskers - and the two men have since vanished.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( RSPCA) has launched an appeal for the men to come forward, or for the public to identify them, in order to find out more information about the dog.
One man was captured on CCTV carrying the dog into Finsbury Park Animal Hospital, in Sonderburg Road, Islington, on Tuesday June 6 at around 11pm.
He claimed that he rescued the female dog from a friend who was beating her, but did not give any details that would identify them.
An acquaintance was also seen on CCTV waiting outside.
The dog had collapsed, had missing teeth, wounds in her mouth and bruising, the charity said.
Her whiskers and nose had been burnt and she was covered in vomit and diarrhoea.
Sadly, a vet decided the kindest action would be to put the poor dog to sleep to end her suffering.
A man called the animal hospital two days later to ask how the dog was, but hasn’t been heard from since.
RSPCA chief inspector Imara Ó Niocail said: “I’m appealing for information to see if anyone recognises the two men who brought the dog into Finsbury Park Animal Hospital - as we believe they can really help with our enquiries.
“The poor dog was in a terrible state and had to be put to sleep as a result of her injuries. The man who brought the dog in claimed to know who the dog’s owner is but didn’t provide us with information that could enable us to investigate further.
“The men were both wearing baseball caps, one had a beard and a padded jacket with the word ‘Paris’ written over it. The other was wearing a hoodie, trousers with a dark pocket, gloves, and he had a backpack on.
“The injuries to the poor, defenceless pet were consistent with being beaten and we are eager to investigate what happened.”
Anyone who knows who the men are, or have any other information about this incident should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here