North Carolina

Fisherman makes horrific discovery after pulling backpack out of NC waterway

A person fishing made a horrific discovery in North Carolina on Saturday, police say.

The person was magnet fishing off a pier at the N.C. Wildlife boat ramps in Sunset Beach and pulled a backpack out of the waterway, according to a Facebook post from the Sunset Beach Police Department.

A female pit bull had been stuffed inside the bag, which was weighed down with dumbbells, police say.

Officers responded to the pier and believe the dog had been in the water for about one or two days, according to the Facebook post.

The dog was “emaciated,” police say.

Police are investigating and ask anyone with information call 910-579-2151 or dial 911 and ask to speak to an officer.

Sunset Beach is in southeastern North Carolina, about 50 miles from Wilmington.

This story was originally published February 23, 2020 at 1:43 PM with the headline "Fisherman makes horrific discovery after pulling backpack out of NC waterway."

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Bailey Aldridge
The News & Observer
Bailey Aldridge is a reporter covering real-time news in North and South Carolina. She has a degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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