A NINE-WEEK-OLD puppy was starved to death before being mutilated and dumped in a communal garden.

Thugs tortured the bull terrier before cutting off his ears and tail and abandoning the butchered corpse behind bushes in Neville Close, Leytonstone.

The RSPCA have refused to rule out the mutilation was an attempt to emulate Spanish bullfighters, who are given the ears and tail of a successful kill as a prize.

Groundsman James Vincent, 26, found its withered remains on a piece of carpet as he worked on the garden.

He said: "I went down this alley and it was just lying there in such a state. It was heart-breaking really, especially as I'm a dog lover myself. I had to take a couple of days off work with the shock.

"I've never come across anything like that in the three years that I have worked here. I can't describe what I would do to those responsible given the chance.

"I see these youths the whole time kicking their dogs but when I tell the police they just ignore me."

Another bull terrier which had been starved to death was found just a short walk away in Sheridan Road, Leytonstone, on the same day.

RSPCA Inspector Dawn Avery said she could not rule out a connection.

She added: "It's hoodie kids who use these dogs as a status symbol to threaten each other and often make them fight.

"From the post mortem we know that the ears and tail were cut off with a knife after the puppy died and as it was too young to be tattooed, we think it was just for some sadistic pleasure.

"It's a real concern as we are finding more of these types of breeds dumped. It could be a Staffordshire or a Pit Bull but we cannot be sure. These kids don't know how to look after them properly and they end up neglected."

A similar bull terrier, which police suspect was part of a criminal dog-fighting ring, was found cowering in the stairwell of Fred Wigg House in Leytonstone in August.

If you have any information contact the RSPCA on 0844 800 3220.