THE body of a dead “bully-type” dog was found dumped in a “horrendous” pile of fly-tipping on a south Essex street.

Shocked residents spotted the dog, as well as a large pile of building materials, on the side of Mucking Hall Road, in Rochford, on Saturday.

The fly-tipping has now been cleared and an investigation is being launched by Rochford Council and Essex Police surrounding the deceased dog. Animal welfare charity the RSPCA has also been made aware.

Roche South Tory councillor, Mike Steptoe said the fly-tip is “one of the most horrendous” he has ever seen.

He said: “It is a big concern as to why and how this has come about. It is becoming more normal than average to see fly-tipping there. There has been an increase in the area and we don’t understand why.

“Of all of the things, this really is one of the most horrendous I’ve seen as a councillor. It has been cleared up and there will be further investigations, but I have not been made aware of if the dog was chipped, which would give a lot of information if that is the case.”

Mr Steptoe was unsure of the breed of the dog and described it as a “bully-type” dog, but was unsure if it was an XL Bully following the ban on the breed last year.

He added: “It was quite a large dog-type. Someone has guessed it is a bully-type dog. It has been reported to the police because of the dog.

“It is absolutely horrendous. The information I have heard and the photographs I have seen have been sent to the council and they have dealt with it.”

The road, near Barling, has recently suffered a number of fly-tips.

He added: “A number of residents have passed me information as to possible perpetrators, which I will pass on to the right people.

“I would like to thank all the residents, council officers and councillors that have assisted in dealing with this very sad situation.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We have received a report concerning the discovery of a deceased dog in the area of Mucking Hall Road, Barling, shortly after 9am on Saturday.

“Our partners with Rochford Council have been made aware so the animal can be recovered and scanned for any chip.”

Contact police on 101 quoting incident number 332 of 24 August with information.