The is appealing for information after three spaniel puppies – now named Mary, Holly and Rudey – were found abandoned in a cardboard box beside a road in Wiltshire.
The young pups, who are just weeks old, were found near a pile of rubbish in a box by the side of the B4696 near Lydiard plain between Royal Wotton Bassett and South Cerney on December 21.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Freya Lamb is now investigating how the puppies came to be abandoned. She said, “These poor puppies are all sadly underweight and suffering with ear mites. One of the dogs also has cherry eye which needs veterinary treatment. They are very nervous and scared and don’t want to go near anyone.”
If anyone has any information, please contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
It is possible that the puppies had been bred to be sold in the run-up to Christmas and, as they failed to sell, they were discarded by their breeder. This is the fate of many pups this time of the year, despite
Kirsteen Campbell, Scottish SPCA chief executive, said in December 2022, “Although the low-welfare trade in puppies has slowed due to the ending of lockdown and the cost-of-living crisis we know that unscrupulous breeders are still out there targeting unsuspecting members of the public. We have seized puppies as recently as two weeks ago from low-welfare dealers.
“This trade coupled with the fact that relinquishments of animals is so high and our centres are currently at capacity means we need the public to really think if they can support an animal for their whole life before they go down the route of purchasing one. We would always encourage the public to adopt don’t shop.”