Sadness as yet another litter of puppies abandoned just after Christmas - USPCA reinforce message that 'an animal is not a toy but a lifetime commitment'

In a statement they say the latest case involved a litter of cross breed puppies approximately eight weeks old being abandoned in a field in Whitecross, South Armagh.

Discovered by a member of the public and brought into the care of the USPCA, the young vulnerable puppies were left to fend for themselves.

Colleen Tinnelly, USPCA Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are disheartened that despite numerous pleas to the public regarding responsible pet ownership, we are still seeing defenceless young animals being abandoned only weeks after Christmas”.

“Following examination from our veterinary team, the six abandoned puppies are undergoing treatment and will hopefully be ready for rehoming in due course.”

“We urge the public to think long and hard about their pets – are they neutered?

"Are you capable of looking after an unexpected litter?

“If not, we remind them to think as a responsible owner and have their pets neutered – there is absolutely no excuse for leaving young animals to suffer because you haven’t made this conscious decision.”

Colleen added that “it is well known that that Animal Charities across Northern Ireland are at full capacity” but unfortunately, in the months after Christmas we do brace ourselves for a further increase in unwanted animals and we try to accommodate as many as we can”.

"Never have we seen cases like this so quick on the back of Christmas – we’re shocked and very disappointed that it continues to happen,” she said.

"Our advice on responsible pet ownership is clear - an animal is not a toy; it is a lifetime commitment and doesn’t come with a return policy.”