Investigation launched after 9 dead puppies found in Marlow
Three were wearing collars but none of them were micro-chipped
The puppies were found in Buckinghamshire on Friday December 18th.
An image provided by the RSPCA features at the end of this article which may be upsetting
An investigation has been launched by the RSPCA after a passerby discovered the bodies of 9 puppies on Berwick Road, Marlow on Friday.
They were a mix of breeds - lurcher types and terrier types - and three were wearing collars but none had ID tags.
There were no obvious injuries so it’s suspected they died from a virus or infection.
Deputy chief inspector Becky Timberlake went to the scene:
“The puppies are all aged around eight-weeks-old so were no doubt destined for the Christmas market.
“I suspect they’ve come from a nearby puppy farm as there were three separate litters dumped together. Most were microchipped but they were not registered to any owners.
“Every year there’s a surge in demand for puppies in the run-up to Christmas. People think of a cute, fluffy puppy with a bow around its neck under the tree, but this is the reality of where your puppy may have come from; this is the dark side of the Christmas puppy market.
“It’s not clear why the pups died but parvovirus is rife among poorly bred puppy-farmed dogs and dealers don’t seek veterinary help as they don’t want to rouse suspicion or spend money which will impact on their profits.
“They’d rather leave puppies to suffer, grow weaker and sicker, and, eventually, die than to spend money on getting them help. And they then discard them like rubbish at the side of the road.
"It’s disgusting; these were living, breathing puppies who deserved so much better.”
Police were also called to the scene and the RSPCA has now launched an investigation.
Becky added:
“We’re appealing to the public to help us track down whoever is responsible for dumping these puppies here and we fear there may be other puppies suffering who need our help.
“If you saw anything suspicious in the area on Friday or overnight on Thursday please call our appeal line on 0300 123 8018. We believe the puppies died between 24 and 48 hours before they were found.”
The following RSCPA image is of the puppies and may be upsetting
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