TWO boys have been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after a dog was found dead on a railway line.

The dog was allegedly found tied to a railway track near Corby, Northamptonshire.

British Transport Police (BTP) believe the animal was hit by a train.

It is also thought to have been burnt, although a BTP spokeswoman said it had not been ascertained if this had happened before or after its death.

She said they had not yet confirmed exactly when the dog was found, or when it was hit by the train.

The spokeswoman said an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and bailed.

She said: "I believe a dog was found on the railway tracks. How that dog came to be on the tracks is under investigation.

"All we know at this stage is that two boys have been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.

"British Transport Police and Northamptonshire Police are working together."