Puppies abandoned in bin bag by side of road

Six puppies have been rescued after being dumped in a black bin bag in a layby in East Yorkshire.

The dogs, believed to be aged between four and five weeks old, were found in Staithes Road, Preston, at about 06:00 BST on Friday by a motorist who noticed the bag was moving.

He moved them into a cardboard box and took them to the RSPCA's Hull and East Riding branch in Clough Road, Hull, where they received immediate veterinary care.

The centre's manager, Carina Porte, said the puppies were "dehydrated and beginning to overheat" due to the hot weather.

She said: "Their very young age, coupled with this very hot weather, would have left them especially vulnerable and it could have been a very different outcome had help not arrived when it did.

"Thankfully, all six puppies are now safe and being looked after by our incredible team at the centre.

"They're far too young to be away from their mum, so they'll be receiving specialist foster care over the coming weeks and it will be a little while yet before they will be ready for rehoming."

The black puppies are thought to be French bull and chihuahua crosses, and the litter consists of three females and three males.

RSPCA Inspector Laura Barber said she was now hoping to find their mother as she was "extremely concerned" about her being separated from her litter and may also be in need of veterinary care.

She said: "It's sad and frustrating that people are continuing to breed irresponsibly, as we fear is the case here, and resorting to leaving vulnerable young animals in situations like this, leaving others to pick up the pieces.

"We'd urge anyone who can help our investigation to come forward."

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