A three-pawed puppy has been found abandoned on Christmas Eve, sparking an appeal for information from the RSCPA.
The poor animal, which was found missing one of its rear paws, was rescued by the animal charity the day before Christmas.
Horrible pictures released RSPCA show the puppy was abandoned in a carrier bag.
RSCPA volunteers found the dog around 10am on Sunday in the Tottenham Marshes nature reserve car park in north London.
Three-pawed puppy found abandoned in carrier bag on Christmas Eve
RSPCA
After being brought to a treatment centre, the little puppy was named Buddy.
According to the charity, a dog walker spotted Buddy and called the animal welfare group.
The RSPCA have now launched an appeal for information to try and track down who left Buddy in the car park.
“This lovely little chap was deliberately abandoned, tied in an Iceland carrier bag,” Nicola Thomas, RSPCA animal rescue officer, said.
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Buddy was found on Christmas Eve
RSPCA
“Had it not been for the kind actions of the passer-by who lent a helping hand, we might be looking at a different outcome.
“He's a little underweight and is missing his paw and part of his rear leg because of a deformity, which looks sore on the end. He's now getting the care he needs at our animal hospital.”
Thomas added that the ordeal must have been “frightening and bewildering” for the puppy.
Sadly, the animal charity has reported that animal abandonment cases have surged to a three-year high.
The puppy’s missing paw has been reported to be a deformity
RSPCA
Buddy was found in a carrier bag
RSPCA
According to the RSCPA, 1,619 abandonment incidents were recorded last month.
Up to the end of November, the charity recorded a total of 19,457 cases.
The charity said two main factors - the cost-of-living crisis and a surge in pet ownership over the pandemic - created the “perfect storm” for animal welfare emergencies.
“Behind these shocking statistics are thousands of vulnerable animals. Each one is a valuable life in urgent need of our help,” Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said.
Murphy urged animal lovers to donate to the charity this Christmas as cases often surge in the holidays.
