Two dead puppies found on side of Northampton road

Two dead puppies, who are believed to be related, have been found on the side of a busy Northampton road and animal welfare volunteers are pleading for the safety of any other dogs who may suffer the same fate.

Wellingborough Dog Squad (WDS), a team of volunteers specializing in dog welfare, posted on Facebook yesterday (Monday, February 1) saying that a puppy was found dead near the Fox and the Hounds pub in Harlestone on Sunday, January 24, and then another puppy was found in Sandy Lane, Duston, on Sunday, January 31.

Another dog, who has been named Mummy Dog and is believed to be the puppies' mother, was seen roaming the Harlestone Road area on Tuesday, January 26, and Wednesday (January 27) - she is now under the care of a dog warden.

Mummy Dog, who is still lactating and believed to have more puppies out there, was handed in at a vets by an unknown man driving a van on Wednesday evening.

Geraldine Guy, who started WDS, said: "It's absolutely shocking. The public has been absolutely shocked [by the images]. It's absolutely heart-breaking, disgusting and horrific. We can't sugar coat everything. We deal with this sort of thing regularly. It's not often we do such a graphic post, but on this occasion we felt we needed to get it out there.

"We are working on the assumption it could be that there's a litter of puppies and they are slowly dying because they are not being fed by the mum dog. It could be someone is breeding dogs and they are not getting the care they need and they die, so the owner dumps them.

"Something is going on in society that people either think it's okay to do this or they don't know who to approach - there is help out there.

"If you are going to dump the dogs, why not dump them at the rescue centre? There is no need for this course of action, there are numerous people willing to help.

"I would appeal to the owner of this dog and pups and say that if they have anymore who are sick or they don't want, then they can contact me, no names mentioned. All we are interested in is the welfare of the dogs."

About the unknown man in the van, Geraldine said: " Was this man her owner or was this man genuine and managed to catch her and hand her in?"

Katie Rose-Blade, who covers the Duston area for WDS and found the puppies, has said she has little faith in the remaining puppies being returned or even being alive.

She said: "These little puppies should not have been put in the position in the first place.

"If they do have the other puppies, we can take them from them and give the dogs a better life. But I don't think they will return them, unfortunately, not alive, I don't have much faith.

"If anyone does come across another puppy, please get in contact with us immediately."

One person wrote underneath WDS' Facebook post: "How many more poor little pups are out there undiscovered?"

Another said: "This is absolutely heartbreaking on so many levels. There must be a neighbour out there that recognises this poor dog."

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the organisation has been made aware of the incident.

The spokeswoman said: “We are aware that two dead puppies were found in the Northampton area and it must have been very distressing for those who came across the bodies.

“We believe they are from the same litter and are keen to trace the owner of these puppies. A female cross-bred dog was found as a stray in the same area and is now in the care of the council. We believe she may be the mother of the dead puppies and is very distinctive looking and we are hoping someone will know who she belongs to.

“Anyone with information should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.”

Members of the public have been urged to also contact Wellingborough Dog Squad on Facebook if they have any information.