Shock as three dead puppies left in shopping bags behind a bus stop

The brown Spaniel-type puppies were found by a resident at around 6pm on Thursday, April 20, in the bushes behind the bus stop on Reginald Road in Sutton, near the junction with Lionel Street.

The puppies, thought to be aged between eight and 10 weeks old, had been put in a Tesco carrier bag and two black bin liners and abandoned.

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Their bodies were collected by RSPCA inspector Jenny Bethel a short time later, and taken to the charity’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

A veterinary examination stated that the bodies were "severly decomposing", which suggested that they had probably been dead for between two and three weeks.

All of them had teeth and would likely have been weaned from the same mother, although they were not microchipped and it was not possible from their condition to determine the cause of death.  

The pink blanket left in the bin liner (Image: RSPCA)

Upon the distressing find, the RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information about the incident to get in touch as reports of abandoned animals have increased.

A pair of blue children’s shorts from Primark was found in one of the black bin liners. A spotted blanket had also been left in the field behind the hedgerow, although it’s not known if it’s connected to the incident.  

RSPCA Inspector Bethel said: “There was a strong smell of decay as I approached the location where the puppies were discovered.

"One of them was partially hanging out of the Tesco bag and it must have been a very distressing sight for this member of the public to come across.

“Three bodies dumped in this way obviously raise suspicions that they may have come from an unscrupulous breeder. Perhaps they were deemed ‘unsellable' because they weren’t in the best of health or just simply unwanted. The health and welfare of their mum is also of concern. 

“It's upsetting when young, vulnerable young animals are found in circumstances like this, and of course it reinforces the need for people to get their dogs neutered to prevent unwanted litters.”

As the cost of living crisis continues, RSPCA officers reported of dealing with increasing numbers of abandoned animals.

In March alone, the charity received 1,517 reports about abandonments  - up from 1,429 for the same month last year; a rise of six percent. 

The RSPCA is providing dedicated cost of living support for worried pet owners, with a recently-opened telephone helpline on 0300 123 0650 and an online hub, which has lots of practical tips and advice, including details of pet food bank schemes.

Anyone with information about the puppies is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018.