The RSPCA has launched an appeal for information after two underweight dogs were found in a shocking state on the hottest day of the year.
The two terrier type dogs, believed to be mum and son, were spotted by a couple driving along a country lane near Macclesfield in Cheshire.
They were both underweight with skin conditions, flea infestations and one had a fractured leg and severely injured eye which will have to be removed.
Kind-hearted rescuers rushed the dogs to a nearby vets around midday on Tuesday, where they are now receiving urgent veterinary care.
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RSPCA inspector Caren Goodman-James, said: "We believe one dog may be the mother of the younger dog.
"Sadly she has a fractured leg - and an old fracture to the same leg which may now need amputating.
"She is also blind in one eye due to a severe infection and this eye will need to be removed.
"Both the dogs are in a sad state and are matted and underweight so are currently receiving a lot of attention.
"These dogs are in very poor condition and were callously left in a secluded spot on the hottest day of the year.
"The couple who picked them up are not sure of the exact location as they were not from the area but said the lane was surrounded by fields and had no houses nearby.
"We know it was 10 minutes north from the vets in Macclesfield where they took the pets too.
"I am grateful for their intervention as it was lucky these dogs were found or they faced a lingering death and I am keen to find the person responsible."
Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time or who knows the owner of these dogs should contact the RSPCA's appeal line, confidentially, on 0300 123 8018.
The incident comes as the RSPCA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty summer campaign to raise funds to help its rescue teams out on the frontline continue to save animals to stop cruelty to animals for good.
The RSPCA receives around 90,000 calls to its cruelty line every month and investigates 6,000 reports of deliberate animal cruelty but in the summer calls rise to 134,000 a month and reports of cruelty soar to 7,600 each month - a heartbreaking 245 every day.
Coupled with the cost of living crisis the charity is bracing itself for a summer of suffering and needs the public's support.
To help support the RSPCA, visit the Cancel Our Cruelty page on the website.
If you cannot donate, you can alternatively volunteer with the RSPCA, hold a bake sale or fundraiser, or take part in the #50MilesForAnimals challenge.
Do you have any dog heatwave stories to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
