Three adorable puppies were discovered by a pile of rubbish after they were cruelly abandoned amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The spaniel pups, who are just weeks old, have become some of the latest animals to be dumped, as many Brits struggle to cover the bills this winter.
They were abandoned in a cardboard box and found near a pile of rubbish by the side of the B4696 near Wiltshire on December 21. The poor mite-ridden pooches have been given Christmas-themed names, in a nod to the time of the year they were found, and are currently receiving treatment.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Freya Lamb is now investigating how the puppies, who have been named Mary, Holly and Rudey, came to be abandoned as she investigates for the animal welfare charity.
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."
The poor dogs were taken by a member of the public to RSPCA Oak and Furrows Wildlife Centre before being taken into the care of the team at the RSPCA Cheltenham and East Gloucestershire Branch.
It comes as the RSPCA reports a 25 per cent rise in abandonment incidents being dealt with by its teams.
Dermot Murphy, chief inspectorate officer at the RSPCA, said: "The idea of putting your cat in a cat carrier and taking them to a secluded spot in the woods before walking away, or chucking your dog out of the car and driving off leaving them desperately running behind the vehicle, is absolutely unthinkable and heartbreaking to most pet owners - but sadly we are seeing animals callously abandoned like this every single day.
"We understand that sometimes the unexpected can happen - the pandemic and cost of living crisis proved that - but there is never an excuse to abandon an animal.
"There are always other options for anyone who has fallen on hard times and can no longer afford to keep their pet."
If anyone has any information on the abandoned spaniels, contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
