An urgent search is underway for a litter of puppies after their mum and another dog were left tied up and abandoned outside an animal hospital.
The owner was caught on CCTV leaving the two lurchers next to a bike stand outside the RSPCA building in Salford at roughly 3pm on Thursday, May 29. The man is then seen walking away, with concerned staff bringing the dogs inside after it became obvious that he was not going to return.
The two animals were examined, with vets finding that the wire haired lurcher had milk coming from her teats and blood visible around the vulva area - suggesting that she had recently given birth. The RSPCA says it is extremely concerned for the puppies' welfare and have launched an appeal to trace the owner, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Vets also discovered that the white and tan dog had an old fracture on her back left leg, between her paw and hock, which had healed over. The other dog brought in had old scarring across her body and face and was microchipped to an address in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
According to her chip, her name is Xena and she is six years old. The RSPCA are carrying out enquiries to determine how she ended up in the Salford area.
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.
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