A spaniel puppy who was dumped in a box in Essex with his dying brother is on the road to recovery after being rescued by the RSPCA.
The dog – who has since been named Bertie by RSPCA staff – and his brother were abandoned at the side of a road by Dock House, in Hazlemere Marina, Waltham Abbey, on Sunday 12 March.
They were found by a member of the public – who reports watching the moment their former keeper dumped the pups in a box before driving off.
The member of the public took the dogs home and contacted the RSPCA. Sadly, one of the pups died shortly afterwards.
However, the surviving pup Bertie – thought to be around six to eight weeks old – was taken into the care of the charity’s Finsbury Park Animal Hospital in London, where he is recovering.
Tests showed that Bertie and his brother both had parvovirus, a highly contagious and deadly virus that attacks the intestines.
Animal rescue officer Mark Hanley, who is looking into the incident, said: “Bertie and his brother were abandoned in a box, covered in urine and unable to stand. They were so thin, with their hip bones and ribs clearly visible.
“The person who found them reported that two men pulled up in a car, took out a plastic box and dumped it at the side of the road and said ‘you can have these’ – and then drove away. We don’t know where they came from as they weren’t microchipped.
“We have put posters up in the area appealing for information and we are keen for anyone who knows where these puppies came from to get in touch with us on 0300 123 8018.”
Fortunately, Bertie is now doing well in RSPCA care.
Emma Yelland, from Finsbury Park, added: “Bertie is much brighter now and very different to how he was when he first arrived. He is eating well, is happy and wants cuddles. He’s a sweet boy and deserves love. He remains with us for monitoring and fingers crossed he pulls through.
“It’s very sad that Bertie and his brother had parvovirus – it highlights the importance of making sure puppies are vaccinated so they don’t get this awful illness.”
The RSPCA has long worked hard to highlight and tackle the link between organised crime and dog trade, with unscrupulous dog traders making millions of pounds from selling dogs – often with little to no regard for their welfare.
Prospective owners are urged to adopt and not shop in the first instance. But if buying a puppy, people must do their research and use the RSPCA-backed Puppy Contract to help them buy responsibly, and not inadvertently putting money in the pockets of criminal gangs.
