CONCERNED dog lovers from Winchmore Hill are putting together a reward fund to find a man who savagely beat his dog to death.

The residents, from Green Lanes and the surrounding area, say they feel "let down" by the police and RSPCA and are taking matters into their own hands.

The attack is believed to have taken place on January 17, when a 21-year-old saw a man pulling a dog by its lead down Queen's Avenue at around 6.10pm.

The male black and white spaniel crossbreed was later found battered and dead behind Capitol House, an office block off Green Lanes.

Enfield police passed the matter to the RSPCA, they said, because the caller who reported the attack could not provide any contact details for the witness.

Lynn, 53, who did not want to give her surname, said she had pledged £100 to the fund and hoped to raise much more.

She stressed the money would only be given to somebody if their evidence resulted in a prosecution.

She added: "Another elderly woman has also offered £100. Everyone is devastated by this. There's been a huge outcry.

"It's so upsetting to hear the police are not investigating it. It was a horrendous attack on an animal that has horrified the community here and in Barnet."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "We're all really cross about this as no-one seems to want to help us.

"The police are wriggling out of it and the RSPCA are next to useless.

"I support the fund fully and will definitely donate to it, but the concern is that when we have it, what do we do with it?

"Everyone is feeling let down by the authorities, who don't seem to want to investigate."

Klare Kennett, RSPCA regional media manager, confirmed the RSPCA was looking into the matter.

RSPCA officers have the same legal powers as the police to investigate animal cruelty cases.

She said: "It's great the residents have done this and are so outraged by what happened.

"Hopefully their efforts will help our investigations and someone will come forward.

"We are obviously very concerned about it."

Speaking of the attack, the 21-year-old witness said: “I feel very strongly that he should be caught. I am really horrified by it.

"Anyone who can do that has got to be sick.”

Anyone with information about this attack can call the RSPCA on 020 8366 3313.