A PONTYPOOL man who put up a £500 reward to find the "sick" person who bludgeoned a dog to death with a hammer has more than doubled his offer in a bid to bring someone to justice.

Lyn Bishop, 49, of Brynheulog, Griffithstown, read about the story in the Argus in August when a tan-coloured Staffordshire bull terrier was found at the side of a mountain behind the former steelworks in Ebbw Vale.

The helpless creature, which was around eight years old and had been tied to a post, was covered in blood.

The story shocked Argus readers so much that three people contacted us offering rewards for information which helps find the culprit.

Mr Bishop initially offered £500, Patricia Powell, 61, of Rassau, put up a £200 reward, which was matched by an anonymous woman in Newport.

Now the total reward stands at £1,500.

Mr Bishop, who has one dog and three cats, including rescue animals, said: "It was disgusting, I wanted to up this because that little dog lost its life through no fault of its own, it had no choice and no voice. I was appalled by it, to hammer it to death is beyond sick."

Mr Bishop, a retired police officer, volunteers for animal charities and does campaign writing for causes such as Born Free and the League against Cruel Sports.

The RSPCA is working with Gwent Police on the investigation and they are looking for a man aged between 20 and 30 who was seen leaving the scene in a dark red Subaru car at around 7pm on August 5.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact 0300 1234 999.