Two dumped puppies found huddled asleep on the bodies of their dead siblings in Gorefield

An RSPCA inspector has spoken of his horror and heartbreak after being called to investigate an incident in which two puppies died and their barely alive siblings were found huddled asleep on top of the dead bodies.

RSPCA Inspector Justin Stubbs is now investigating the incident which was reported to the RSPCA by a kind-hearted member of the public, who made the horrific discovery while out walking their own dogs.

The walker’s dog picked up the scent of the puppies and led their owner to where the four cockapoo puppies had been left in a cage in an open-fronted shed in Decoy Road, Gorefield.

The dog walker took the two live puppies home and immediately contacted the RSPCA for help.

Inspector Stubbs said: “As an RSPCA inspector we sadly see some awful things that happen to animals, but this truly is one of the worst I have had to deal with. I am devastated by what has happened to these puppies.

“These pups were abandoned in a cage behind an old sofa, in a remote shed, so the chances of them ever being found was almost zero.

“It’s just fortunate that someone was out walking their dogs which picked up the pups’ scent, because if not the chances are there would have been four dead puppies in the cage, had they been left undiscovered any longer.

“We think that the two dead pups died overnight on Wednesday (5th) and are likely to have been there for least two days.There was no food and water and the two are likely to have died from starvation and dehydration.

“The two live pups, a boy and a girl who have now been named Bramble and Crumble, are now in the care of the RSPCA’s Block Fen Animal Centre. They were both dehydrated and thin. All four pups are around six to seven weeks old. The two that died were also a boy and a girl.

“I want to thank the member of the public who contacted us and they definitely saved the lives of the two pups, if they had been left another night they would have most likely died like their poor siblings.

“I just can’t imagine how truly heart-wrenching it would have been to see the poor puppies lying on top of their dead siblings. How could anyone be so callous to dump such young puppies in this way.

“We will do all we can to help Bramble and Crumble. I am now investigating this incident and would urge anyone who has any information, no matter how small, to contact the RSPCA immediately on our appeal line number on 0300 123 8018.”

The RSPCA would ask people not to call the centre about adopting them at this stage as the pair are not currently available for rehoming. They are still poorly and require ongoing veterinary treatment at the moment.

Last year, the animal welfare charity’s 24-hour cruelty hotline received 55,821 calls over Christmas (1 December - 31 December). More than 8,000 animals spent Christmas in our care last year.

This Christmas, the charity is asking the public to support Delivering Kindness at Christmas. To donate, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness.

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