The body of a dead XL Bully dog was found dumped next to dual carriageway with serious injuries.

The discovery was made by a horrified member of the public on Sunday (September 29) on a path near to a Starbucks coffee shop at the Family Farm Service Station on the A34 in Bicester.

The brown male XL Bully-type dog had a number of new and old injuries to his body.

RSPCA Inspector Prisca Giddens said: “This is really heartbreaking but we don’t know how this dog came to be in this situation, whether they died naturally and his body was dumped or if the dog was intentionally harmed.

“We are hoping the public will be able to help us in our enquiries."

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Insp Giddens added: “Even though XL Bullies are banned, it doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to abandon or neglect them.

"Sadly, we’ve had more and more reports this year - and we are keen to establish exactly what happened here.”

Reports of intentional harm being inflicted on dogs reported to be XL Bullies increased by 164 per cent in the first eight months of this year, according to figures from the RSPCA.

In the first eight months of 2024 it was 103, compared to 39 in the same time period in 2023 - shortly before the ban was announced on September 15 2023.

The law then came into force in England and Wales on December 31 last year.

Meanwhile, reports of abandoned XL Bullies have increased by 692 per cent  (103 from January to August 2024, compared to 13 for the same time period in 2023).

And reports of neglect towards the breed has increased 239 per cent (366 from January to August 2024, compared to 108 in 2023).

Anyone who recognises the dog, or has further information which can help the RSPCA’s investigation, should call the RSPCA’s appeals line in confidence on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 1362148.