91Èȱ¬

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal after a pet dog was found dead.

A search to find the pet, called Winnie, was launched after she disappeared from her home in South Shields on 4 September.

Northumbria Police said her body had since been found in the Leas area, and an investigation was under way.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and has since been released on police bail.

A spokesperson for the force said it was remaining "open-minded" over the "circumstances surrounding her death".

An online fundraiser, set up to help pay for a memorial, has since seen more than £1,000 raised.

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