Appeal after dead puppies found at Cheshire canal

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the bodies of two puppies were found at Bridgewater Canal in Grappenhall.

The first puppy was found in the water on Friday (26 February) and a second was discovered just four days later on Tuesday (2 March). 

Passers-by made the upsetting discovery before a local animal rescue group transported the puppies bodies to a vet, and RSPCA Inspector Jenny Bethel is now appealing for information.

Jenny said: “This must have been a really upsetting discovery for local people and it’s awful to think that someone has deliberately dumped these tiny puppies.

“The vets have examined the bodies and believe the puppies to be approximately one week old, and they are blue / grey coloured Staffie type dogs and likely to be from the same litter. The vets can’t determine an obvious cause of death at this stage so we are very keen to find out more. I’m really concerned about the rest of the litter as well as the mother dog who could be in a lot of distress and in need of help, it’s a very worrying situation.

“I really want to find out more about this as soon as possible, so I’m urging anyone with any information to get in touch in complete confidence by calling our Inspector’s appeal line number on 0300 123 8018.”

Throughout the winter months, the RSPCA expects to rescue thousands of animals from neglect, cruelty and suffering. Already this winter, we have received more than 82,000 calls but the calls to our rescue line are not stopping so neither will we. To help our rescue teams continue to reach the animals who desperately need us, visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas and Join the Winter Rescue #JoinTheRescue