The local SPCA in Happy Valley-Goose Bay has turned to the internet to find whoever left an injured puppy to die in the woods near the Labrador community.

SPCA board member Bonnie Learning said a four-month-old puppy with a broken leg and hip problems was dumped in the woods in a cardboard box near the Happy Valley-Goose Bay public dock. She called it one of the worst animal abuse cases she has seen.

Someone passing by heard the dog's cries, but it was too late. A veterinarian had to put the animal down.

"There were maggots down around his genitals so from what we deduced, I guess, he must have been there for a couple of days for maggots to form on him," Learning said.

The SPCA has put pictures of the small, Husky-like puppy on its Facebook site and is looking for any information about who left the dog to die.

"We're just hoping someone recognizes this dog in any way, shape or form — if they saw it in passing on the road or if they know of someone that might have owned it. We just want to find out any information we can want to find out who might have possibly done such a disgusting, disgusting thing," she said.

"If someone maybe hit it with a car maybe that's why its leg was broken and they kind of freaked out not knowing what to do. That still does not excuse that this dog was put in a box and left in the woods. There are other options.… Anyone could take it to the town to be put down, take it to the vet to be put down. There's no reason whatsoever for this kind of stuff to happen."