Dog Found Mutilated And Skinned Less Than A Mile Away From Family's Home

A family in Australia is left deeply disturbed and in a state of grief after their beloved dog was found mutilated and skinned on a property near their house in Queensland.

Georgia, a 12-year-old brindle staffy cross, was found on acreage along Norpine Road in Bungundarra on March 23. The distressing discovery was made less than a mile away from the family's home, Yahoo News Australia reported.

Inspectors from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), which promotes animal welfare, were called to investigate the incident after the pet's remains were found.

RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon described the incident as "beyond upsetting," according to 7NEWS Australia. "You just can't un-see this. I really feel for the dog's owners, the property owner and our inspector," she added.

Georgia was taken to a vet for an autopsy, and her cause of death was inconclusive. However, the examining vet believes she may have died of shock.

Lagoon noted that Georgia's skin was removed most likely after she was killed. Meanwhile, RSPCA inspectors believe that whoever left Georgia in her mutilated state seemed to know what they were doing.

"We're absolutely disgusted that someone out there thinks it's OK to remove the skin from someone's pet," Lagoon said, as per Yahoo News Australia. "The vet says this was done post-mortem, but either way it's sickening. What could they possibly gain from doing this?"

Graphic images of Georgia's mutilated body have made rounds on Facebook since the grim discovery was made.

Georgia's family called the dog a "much-loved family member" and noted that they were "deeply unnerved" by what happened to her.

"No one should have to suffer the same way we have," 7NEWS Australia quoted them as saying. "We hope that bringing this awareness will protect others from the same grief we feel."

Following the incident, Lagoon reminded pet parents in the area about keeping their animals safe. "Please keep them safe and secure on your property," she said, as per Yahoo News Australia. "We'd hate for this to happen to another family's pet. The person who has done this clearly lacks any form of empathy and is in the area."

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to get in touch with the RSPCA.