The death of a dog in the local area has resulted in thousands signing a petition demanding that the owners be prosecuted.

However the animal rescue charity, the RSPCA say while the case is horrific, their hands are tied.

The death of Buster caused outrage by animal lovers when it was initially thought the spaniel had been beaten to death.

The dog was found by someone walking through the field near Radstock on Wednesday 2 February and had been tied up. The walkers who found the dog said they were absolutely horrified by the find.

However the RSPCA took the dog's body to a vet for a post mortem and it was decided that Buster had not been beaten to death, as had been reported on social media, but had been shot.

This left the RSCPA in a very hard position legally.

They explained to Nub News: "We're deeply saddened by this horrific and gruesome discovery and are grateful for everyone who has supported investigations.

"The dog's body was taken for a post mortem at an independent specialist vet who found he had been shot, with no evidence of any other injuries.

"Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence for anyone to cause an animal unnecessary suffering.

"As a charity which investigates animal cruelty, we rely on evidence from examinations and tests conducted by veterinary professionals. In this instance, the veterinary professionals concluded the dog had not suffered unnecessarily.

"While we absolutely do not condone anyone killing a dog in this way, and sympathise with all those distressed by this incident, our officers must always operate within the confines of the law. If a dog needs to be put to sleep then a qualified vet is the right person to euthanise an animal humanely and painlessly.

"We will continue to liaise with authorities to assist with any further enquiries." The police added : "Enquiries are ongoing into any potential firearm offence in relation to the death of a dog on private land in Haydon at the start of February. "A man is due to attend a voluntary police interview this week to assist us with our enquiries." Organisers of the petition to prosecute those involved has now reached nearly 8,000 signatures. You can see the petition HERE: with many insisting the decision not to prosecute will not stop the campaign