Eight puppies have been found dumped in a rubbish bin at a truck stop in South Australia's Riverland, prompting an investigation by the RSPCA to find the person responsible.
The kelpie cross puppies were found inside two plastic bags which had been closed with cable ties before being dumped in the bin.
They were found by a family returning to Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
Six are now in the care of vets and are expected to make a full recovery.
However, one died before receiving treatment and one was euthanised.
RSPCA chief inspector Andrea Lewis said the dumping of live animals in a bin located on a country road showed an appalling lack of empathy for the suffering the decision would cause.
"This incident falls into the highest end of callous treatment of animals," Ms Lewis said.
"These puppies were found purely by chance, and we have no idea how long they had been there.
"You would have to assume that whoever did this did not want those puppies to survive.
"This person has not only left them in a remote location but they have also put these young animals inside tightly secured bags, and then put the bin's lid down."
Ms Lewis urged anyone with information to come forward.
Abandoning an animal is an offence under South Australia's Animal Welfare Act, and anyone found guilty can face a maximum two-year jail term or a $20,000 fine.
