THE IRISH Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) is investigating reports that a dog was sacrificed in a bizarre pagan ritual in the Co Wicklow village of Enniskerry.

The disturbing act is understood to have happened about four weeks ago at Knocksink woods. The ISPCA says it has received confirmation that a dog was killed and bled dry on a purpose-built altar made from stones taken from the river and cemented together. It says it considers the killing to be "a most serious incident" and is horrified that nobody contacted the authorities earlier.