A DOG owner was 'sickened' to find a tennis ball that he thinks was purpose designed to harm animals in a park.

Ben Hill, 34, from Burnley Road in Accrington, said he wanted to warn pet owners after finding the ball covered in sharp drawing pins.

Mr Hill said he made the shocking discovery on Sunday morning (April 22) during his regular walk with dog owners in The Coppice park in Accrington.

After his chocolate Labrador dog Archie returned the tennis ball to him after dropping it from his mouth, Mr Hill then noticed the pins.

Archie, six, had suffered no injuries following the incident.

Mr Hill, who regularly walks with friends Stephen Lord and Gary Addison and their dogs on the green space, said: "I usually meet them on Sunday morning on the top of The Coppice.

"My dog came over with a ball in his mouth which I thought was to pick it up and throw it, but it was full of drawing pins.

"There was no reason for them to be there unless you're trying to injure a dog.

"I don't know who has done it.

"Thankfully, Archie was not hurt and Stephen took the tennis ball home with him and threw it away.

"But Archie could have been badly injured or a child who might have picked it up.

"It really is sick and an attack on animals."

His friend Stephen posted an image of the tennis ball on Facebook and Mr Hill is now warning dog owners to be vigilant.

He said: "I'm just appalled by what has happened, it's cruel.

"There is no CCTV up there so we probably won't find out who did it.

"But Stephen thought he'd let as many people know as possible.

An RSPCA spokesman said it was 'really lucky' no one was hurt.

The spokesman said: "It's extremely irresponsible to discard this tennis ball with drawing pins stuck into it.

"This could have seriously injured Archie had a pin cut his mouth or got lodged in his throat.

"Dogs and children will be attracted to toys like tennis balls so it's really lucky that no pets or people were hurt in this instance.

"We'd urge people to responsibly discard of anything that could be hazardous to avoid any unwanted injuries to children, pets and wild animals alike."