INVESTIGATIONS today continue into the death of a cocker spaniel which was found dead in a Hampshire river with a ten-kilogramme dumb-bell weight tied to her neck.

A post-mortem last week revealed the dog was dead before she was thrown into the River Test at Nursling.

Animal welfare experts have said that they will not be able to explain the exact cause of death until tests come back at the end of this week.

However, RSPCA inspector Alan Barnes is still keen to establish the events which led up to the dog being found by a pair of horrified dog walkers last weekend.

Meanwhile, scores of Daily Echo readers have phoned up to offer money in a bid to catch whoever disposed of the dog so callously.

The reward fund currently stands at £3,250, which will go to whoever supplies information which leads to a prosecution and conviction - in the event of a crime having been committed.

Anyone with any information on the incident is urged to contact the RSPCA on 0870 555 5999 or the police on 0845 045 4545. To pledge money to the reward fund contact the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4522.