The two-year-old German shepherd that was found badly wounded in a Kitsilano dumpster Wednesday has died of his injuries, according to the SPCA.

Medical staff performed life-saving measures on the dog for more than 30 minutes after it went into cardiac arrest Thursday evening, but were unable to revive him.

SPCA general manager of cruelty investigations Marcie Moriarty called the dog’s death a “tragic end to a heartbreaking case.”

“This dog has been in critical condition since we rescued him, but we were hoping for a miracle that just didn’t come,” Moriarty said in a statement.

The dog, Captain, who was believed to have been sold by the RCMP after he failed police training in Alberta, was examined by a neurologist earlier in the day and appeared to be quadriplegic.

The animal was left to die in a dumpster in the 1400-block of Maple Street earlier this week before a couple discovered him wrapped in a bloody blanket with serious cuts to his face and neck.

The SPCA says Captain also had extensive injuries to his body, including air pockets around his lungs and significant bruises, and was underweight, though it’s still not entirely clear what happened to him.

“We can’t 100 per cent rule out that he was hit by a car but it is looking more likely that it could have been inflicted by a person,” Moriarty said.

“Clearly, he didn’t jump into that dumpster by himself so someone was involved, so we’re just wanting to figure out the extent of that involvement.”

If Captain’s injuries were inflicted by a person, Moriarty said the SPCA will “absolutely” consider recommending cruelty charges under the Criminal Code.

The dog’s owner has been identified, but SPCA investigators have so far been unable to reach him.

Vancouver police surrounded an apartment building near the dumpster on Thursday afternoon, where the owner is believed to be living in a ground floor suite.

Several residents have told the SPCA they heard loud banging coming from the unit on Tuesday night.

“I heard a loud chain, it was definitely a chain, hitting the floor in front of the door,” said neighbour Curtis Penn, who said the dog also used to be walked using a heavy chain.

“It was really terrible, I mean I could hear it out here… it sounded like somebody was ripping the walls out… and I didn’t do anything.”

The SPCA says after news about Captain broke on Wednesday it was contacted by dozens of people who offered to visit the dog or even adopt him.

With reports from CTV British Columbia’s Lisa Rossington and Bhinder Sajan