A man abandoned two dogs outside a rescue centre - one of which had just given birth - leaving the RSPCA to launch an appeal to find both the man and the litter of puppies belonging to one of them. The animal welfare charity said it was extremely worried about the litter.
It released CCTV footage of a man walking the dogs up to a bike stand outside one of the charity's buildings at about 3pm on May 29. After tying them up, he then walks away and does not return.
Concerned staff took the dogs inside and they were checked over by a vet. The white and tan wired-haired lurcher, believed to be around five years old. Milk coming from her teats and blood visible around her vulva indicated she had recently given birth and was nursing puppies, reports the M.E.N.
She was also found to have an old fracture on her back left leg. The tan-coloured dog had old scarring on her body and face and was microchipped to an address in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Her chip revealed she is called Xena and is six. Enquiries are being made by the RSPCA to establish how she came to be left at the centre in Eccles New Road in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
RSPCA inspector Beth Fazackerley, who is investigating the incident, said: “We’re extremely concerned that there’s a litter of puppies out there who will have been separated from their mum at a very early age. We don’t know whether they’re receiving the appropriate care they need at this vitally important time, if they’re ill, or indeed what may have happened to them.
"It’s also very distressing for mum to be away from her pups, who may not be physically or mentally strong enough to cope on their own without her. Despite what’s happened to them, both dogs have got lovely temperaments.
"They are very gentle and calm and we’ll look to place them with loving new owners in due course. We’re very keen to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV footage and we’d urge them to get in touch with us.”
The lurchers are currently being looked after on behalf of the RSPCA at a private kennel and are doing well. People with information can contact the RSPCA appeal line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018.
