The corpse of a large pit bull, believed to have died in a dog fight and stuffed in a black garbage bag, was found yesterday at the Pembroke Marsh.

A visual inspection testified to the dog's violent fate; puncture wounds around its face and throat as well as several injuries to the dog's limbs and torso confirm the animal as the latest casualty in one of Bermuda's most sadistic pastimes, dog fighting.

The problem may not seem to be as prevalent as it once was, but it is not uncommon for authorities to come across a dog that has fought with another dog. Government Dog Warden Jeffrey Benevides said the incidents happen on a weekly basis.

In this case a worker at the old Pembroke dump found the dog in a plastic bag and notified the authorities.

Police Animal Protection Officer Yvonne Ricca, Jeffrey Benevides and his assistant Alison Thomas arrived shortly after to investigate .

The Fire Service were also called out to aid in the recovery of the dog and they lowered Mr. Benevides to where he could reach the corpse, and he pulled it onto the bank.

The dog was a large chocolate/black coloured male pit bull, approximately 60 to 70 pounds in weight and roughly two to four years old.

"It had wounds we would associate with dog fighting,'' said Mr. Benevides, and he believed they had been inflicted anywhere from a week to a week and a half ago.

And after examining the corpse, he said the dog had been in the water for between three and four days.

Mr. Benevides said the dog had the same sort of wounds as a pit bull that was seen buried still alive in a parking lot in the St. Monica's Mission area in March.

Although animal protection authorities received information about that case, no one would come forward and give evidence in court.

This latest case is now under investigation and Ms Ricca has appealed for people with information to call Police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-623-8477.