A staggering 20 puppies have been rescued by the RSPCA after being dumped inside a metal crate and abandoned on a layby.
The helpless puppies were found by a member of the public who was walking in the Blackmore area of Essex on Friday at around 3pm.
RSPCA Inspector Sian Ridley and Animal Rescue Officer Enola Evans collected the pups and took them straight to a local vet for treatment.