RSPCA investigating after six puppies found dumped between Welney and Ten Mile Bank in one week

Six puppies have been found dumped at the same location in West Norfolk on different days during the same week.

All the dogs were found abandoned in the area of Station Road - between Welney and Ten Mile Bank two weeks ago - prompting an investigation.

The RSPCA has also been informed that a further adult dog and pup were believed to have been rescued from the same area and are now being cared for by a member of the public.

The first puppy was found on Thursday, August 8 and two more pups were discovered on Friday, August 9. Another was found on Sunday, August 11 and a further two were also discovered on Tuesday, August 13.

All the pups were rescued by members of the public who took them to vets for treatment - who in turn contacted the RSPCA.

The animal welfare charity is now investigating and the six pups will be cared for by its branches and an animal centre.

The first puppy found - who has now been named Rollo - was a Jack Russell crossbreed and aged between just eight and 12 weeks old.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “He is a little, sweet boy but shy, and is being treated for roundworms and mites. He is now being looked after by the RSPCA Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk Branch.”

The two other puppies found were younger and thought to be only six to seven weeks old - a boy and a girl, who are possibly terrier cross dogs.

They are being treated for severe demodicosis and pyoderma mites and are now in the care of the RSPCA West Norfolk Branch - which also took in a further two of the pups who were rescued just a few days later (on August 13) from the same location.

On Sunday, August 11 another pup - believed to be a terrier crossbreed - was found.

The dog, who has been named Chickadee, also had mange and had lost almost all of her fur - she is being cared for by RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre.

RSPCA animal rescue officer David Allen has been investigating the spate of abandonments with his colleague Inspector Emily Astillberry.

He said: “We are grateful to all the members of the public and the vets who helped these poor puppies.

“It is really concerning that there has been a spate of puppies and potentially an adult dog abandoned in the same location - and it feels like it’s more than just a coincidence, which is why we believe they could be all connected.

“It could be they were all abandoned at the same time - but were hiding and so that’s why they have been found on separate days. The local dog wardens have set up dog traps in the area just in case there are still more out there and we are supporting where we can.

“We have also been told that an adult dog and another pup were found by a member of the public so we would ask if that person could also contact us to let us know how they are.

“It’s really sad to think someone just abandoned them in this way.

“We understand the financial difficulties some people are experiencing right now, however abandoning your pet is never the answer. There is help and support available and we would urge people to contact their vets, local rescues and animal welfare charities.”

Anyone who has information about these abandoned dogs is asked to call the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident 01326743.

The RSPCA says it is braced for a spike in animal cruelty this summer, and recently launched its summer appeal so people can support the efforts of its frontline officers.

The charity receives more reports of cruelty in summer than at any other time of year, which is why it has launched the RSPCA No Animal Deserves Cruelty Appeal.

For more information, visit www.rspca.org.uk/summercruelty

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