Mucky puppies! Adorable dogs found covered in TAR on the streets of India are rescued by volunteers after eight hours of scrubbing
- Barrel of tar collapsed over family of dogs in Tirur, India, covering eight puppies
- Puppies were found struggling to breathe after eight hours stuck in the toxic tar
- Locals and animal rights activists spent hours cleaning the puppies with oil
Eight stray puppies have been rescued by hero volunteers in south-west India after they ended up covered in toxic tar.
The puppies were found on the streets of Tirur in India’s Kerala state, covered from nose to paws in thick, black tar.
It is thought a barrel of the black stuff collapsed on top of them while they were sleeping and that the puppies had been struggling in the sticky mess for some eight hours before they were found.
Heartbreaking: This puppy and its seven siblings were found covered in tar on the streets of Tirur, in India’s Kerala state
Team effort: Volunteers from Humane Society International came together to help the dogs
All together: HSI India volunteers hold the puppies and their mother at their centre after the successful cleanup
A local animal lover named only as Mr Jaleel contacted animal rescuers from Humane Society International in India, after which a team spend hours cleaning the little dogs with vegetable oil.
Thanks to their determination and effort, the puppies were eventually cleaned up and could be reunited with their mother.
Sally Varma of HSI India said: ‘This was such an awesome community effort because there is absolutely no doubt that these puppies would have died had the local people not come to their rescue.
‘These tiny puppies had been trapped in the tar for many hours, and were exhausted as well as overwhelmed by the noxious fumes.
Stuck: It is thought the puppies may have been stuck in the tar for eight hours
Sticky work: The team from Humane Society International India carefully removed the tar from the puppies’ fur using oil
Nearly there: The puppies can be seen during the cleaning process as the volunteers got rid of the tar from their fur
Some of the puppies suffered injuries as a result of their ordeal, and were cared for by the team at Humane Society International
Careful: A volunteer cuts off bits of tar stuck in one of the puppies’ fur
‘They had tar covering their eyes, and in their noses and mouths, so they would surely have perished were it not for these compassionate people.
‘HSI’s animal welfare officers refused to give up, and worked tirelessly to remove the tar. It was thrilling to see these sweet pups come back to life and suckle from their mother after their ordeal.’
In two weeks the puppies will be old enough for HSI to vaccinate and sterilise them, before returning them to Tirur where the locals are anxiously waiting to look after them.
Robert Tigga, one of HSI in India’s animal welfare officers who helped the puppies, said: ‘To see this community tend to these street puppies with such kindness really makes us happy because Kerala has had a very troubled history with brutal dog culling.
‘We’ve been working in this area for some years now on spay and neuter of street dogs, and promoting animal welfare, so this joint effort to save the puppies really feels like we’re seeing a more humane attitude towards these dogs.’
All cleaned up!: A volunteer enjoys a cuddle with two of the puppies
In two weeks the puppies will be old enough to be vaccinated and sterilised by HSI