A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after a dog was reportedly thrown from a high-rise balcony.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was found at the foot of an 18-storey residential tower block by officers.

Signs put up at the scene in Wallace Close in Oldbury, West Midlands, by the RSPCA, stated that the pet "fell to its death from one of the balconies" at about 6pm, on November 8.

Following a joint investigation, West Midlands Police said a man was continuing to be questioned on Monday about the incident.

A resident at the council-owned tower block, who declined to be named, said a woman had found the dog lying outside Darley House tower and called the police.

She added that the animal had "belonged to a nice old couple", and described what had happend as "awful".

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "Officers have arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of animal cruelty after a dog was found thrown over a flat balcony.

"Upon arrival, officers found the deceased dog and began investigations into tracing the owner.

"Following work with the RSPCA, a 19-year-old was arrested on Sunday and remains in police custody."