A probe has been launched after the bodies of three dead puppies wrapped in toilet paper were discovered in a Scots garden.
The disturbing find was made in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh on 20 May, with investigations suggesting the puppies were newborns.
SSPCA inspectors were alerted after a member of the public discovered the puppies, thought to be Staffordshire bull terriers or a similar breed, at around 7.25pm in a communal garden on Harewood Crescent.
The person who made the grim discovery has been left "very distressed" by the incident, the charity added.
The hunt is now on to trace the owners and find any remaining pups and their mother to ensure they get medical attention.
Scottish SPCA inspector John Toule said, “This was a very distressing incident for the person who found these puppies.
“The dogs were wrapped in toilet paper and buried in a shallow hole in the communal garden of the property. They appeared to have been recently placed in the garden and were probably buried the same day as they were found.
“The puppies are a small to medium type of dog and we believe them to be Staffordshire bull terriers or a similar breed.
“A post mortem was carried out on the puppies and the results showed that they had not fed or passed their first faeces suggesting they were either stillborn or died shortly after birth.
“We’d like to find the owner of these dogs as we have concerns for any remaining pups and their mother and would like to make sure they are all healthy and receiving any veterinary care they may need.
“If anyone has any information on this incident they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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