The RSPCA is appealing for information after three spaniel puppies were abandoned in a cardboard box in Essex.
The young pups, around eight-weeks old were found by a cyclist who pulled into a layby for a rest and noticed a puppy peeking out from a box in the layby on Shopland Road, Rochford on Saturday 8 August at around 4pm.
Sadly, one of the puppies had already died when the member of the public found them and the other two were very skinny.
The puppies were taken straight to a vets near Southend Airport where they tested positive for Parvovirus, a highly contagious virus which causes severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. It usually affects unvaccinated dogs under six months old.
The vets then contacted the RSPCA for help.
RSPCA inspector Adam Jones is now investigating how these puppies came to be abandoned. He said: “These poorly puppies were dumped in a cardboard box in a layby, without food or water, and sadly one of them died. It is very touch and go for the other puppies who are suffering from parvovirus.
“They are microchipped with a Hungarian chip which isn’t registered in this country so it could be that they have been imported from abroad to sell on but have been abandoned when they became poorly. It would appear that these pups are the victims of the cruel puppy trade and we are keen to find out what happened to them.”
If anyone has any information, please contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
The two puppies, a male and a female, are now on fluids and medication and it is hoped they will pull through.
