Five adorable puppies have been saved from certain death after being abandoned in a cardboard box.
A dog walker discovered the tiny pups in a field in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, scooped them up and handed them over to the RSPCA, where they are now being cared for.
RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley, who was alerted to the discovery near Northern Way, Southwick, said: ‘The puppies are tiny, possibly only a week old, and still have their eyes closed.
‘They’re far too young to be away from their mum and to abandon them in a field is completely unacceptable. They wouldn’t have survived for long on their own.’
Cuteness saved: The five German shepherd crosses found in Sunderland are far too young to have survived on their own. The pups are three girls and two boys named Belle, Casey, Diefer, Kiefer and Mason
They are recovering and getting 24-hour care, which includes feeds every two hours. RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley said: ‘At this age, puppies are entirely reliant on their mother so they wouldn’t have lasted long on their own’
The pups – three girls and two boys named Belle, Casey, Diefer, Kiefer and Mason – are also now getting round-the clock care with feeds every two hours.
The man who discovered the puppies took them home before taking them to the RSPCA Sunderland, Hartlepool and South Tyneside branch nearby.
The charity has launched an investigation to find those responsible for dumping the German shepherd crosses, thought to be only around one to two-weeks-old.
Inspector Nedley added: ‘Luckily the puppies are all healthy, but it could have easily been a tragic outcome if they hadn’t have been discovered by this passerby.
The charity has launched an investigation to find those responsible for dumping the pups
‘At this age, puppies are entirely reliant on their mother so they wouldn’t have lasted long on their own.
‘To abandon them like this is disgraceful and I’d be keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the puppies or have any information on where they’ve come from or who is responsible for abandoning them.
‘Unfortunately, abandoned animals is something the RSPCA sees all too often and, sadly, a lot of the time we’re called to help young puppies or kittens who have been dumped.’
The puppies will now be cared for by staff at the branch until they are old enough to be re-homed.