40 dogs found dumped in river

Tokyo - Japanese police have launched a criminal investigation after the bodies of around 40 dogs have been found dumped in a river in the east of the country, officials say.

A passer-by reported finding the dogs, most of which were small breeds and had not been dead long, in Sakura City.

"Some dogs were in the water and others were scattered around the area," a local police spokesperson said, adding that some of the animals were wearing pet clothing.

The police have yet to determine who dumped the animals.

One news agency said the police suspect an animal undertaker could have dumped the dogs but authorities only said they were "looking into various possibilities".