Heartbreak over tiny puppies who were dumped to die in the cruellest way

Three eight-week-old cockapoo puppies were left to die in Kent, England. Bred to be sold, they ended up having been disposed of in a despicable way. Sadly, one of the puppies died, while two barely made it and are being monitored by the vets.

Shock and heartbreak

A member of the public was left in shock of people’s cruelty after they've discovered three tiny puppies locked in a bin dumped at Leybourne Lakes Country Park this Monday morning. Shut inside a small plastic domestic food waste bin, they were riddled with worms and looked like they were deprived of basic care.

The puppies were rushed to RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre but, sadly, one had already died. The other two are currently in charity care.

The RSPCA Inspector Rosie Russon said:

The two surviving pups - one male and one female - and their prognosis is guarded but we’re giving them the best chance we can and we really hope they pull through.

Who could do such a thing?

The RSPCAopened an investigation in a bid to find the owner behind the appalling crime.

The puppies were all microchipped but the chips have not been registered with a database.

The charity suspects the pooches have been abandoned by a breeder after failing to sell or because they suspected poor health and couldn’t afford the vet care. They were also wearing different-coloured cat collars, a typical tactic employed by breeders so they can tell the puppies apart.

The RSPCA is appealing for information from anyone who could give any clue about where the tiny cockapoos come from.

Russon said:

We don’t know when these little pups were abandoned so we’re keen to hear from anyone who may recognise them, know anyone who has bred a litter of cockapoo puppies locally recently or saw anything suspicious in the area to contact our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

The rescue centres are full

According to the RSPCA, their rescue centres are currently ‘full to bursting’ with animals who have been abandoned, neglected, abused or signed over as their owners can no longer take care of them.

Russon said:

We’ve seen an increase in animals coming into our care, a surge in abandonments, and a drop in rehoming; all of which we believe are linked to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The charity launched an online cost-of-living hub to provide information and advice to pet owners who may be struggling, as well as a hotline people can call if they have difficulties coping with the cost of pet care. They also support pet food banks across the country and provide vouchers to access veterinary care where possible.

Russon pleaded:

But we’re struggling to cope too and we have more and more animals coming into our care so we’d urge owners to please never, ever abandon their pets but, instead, to ask for help. We want to help animals stay in their homes with their loving families where possible.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care - like these poor puppies - please visit their website.

Sources used:

- The RSPCA: 'Puppies crammed into food waste bin and abandoned at country park'