Puppies found dumped and left for dead inside taped up cardboard box

One of the puppies has since died and the other five are fighting for their lives under the care of the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital

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Six tiny puppies were found dumped inside a taped-up box in Ellesmere Port. The puppies, who are thought to be just five weeks old, are receiving round-the-clock care at RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, where staff are battling to save them.

Sadly one puppy who weighed just 500g (18 ounces) - just half of that of her littermates - had to be put to sleep due to the extent of her condition.

The puppies were discovered last Thursday (August 24) in a park in Frome Court. A local person noticed the box hidden in the hedge, and luckily stopped to look inside, finding the six black puppies.

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RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes transported the puppies to the charity’s animal hospital in Greater Manchester, where they were given immediate care and treatment.

Anthony said: “Thankfully, the remaining puppies are responding well to treatment, though it’s going to be a long road to recovery. They are all underweight and dehydrated, and have a high worm burden, which is a lot for a tiny puppy to fight.

It’s incredibly sad that one puppy couldn’t be saved but we’re keeping everything crossed that the others pull through.”

The young puppies are small crossbreeds. They are currently being cared for in isolation at the animal hospital whilst the veterinary team checked them for parvovirus and other diseases.

Anthony is now keen to hear from anyone with information about the puppies.

He said: “It looks like these puppies were deliberately abandoned. They were found taped up inside a cardboard box with writing on it that said ‘Xmas Decs Upstairs’ - so it’s likely they were an unwanted litter, or been dumped because of their poor health. I’m very worried about the puppies’ mother too, somewhere in the area there will be a lactating female dog who will no doubt be pining for her puppies, and I’m very keen to check on her welfare, too.”

Anyone with information can contact Anthony in complete confidence on the RSPCA’s inspector appeal line number by calling 0300 123 8018.

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