Lancashire | Archive | 2002 | August | 7
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Wednesday 7th Aug 2002.
OUTRAGED animal protection workers today slammed heartless thugs who left five tiny puppies for dead after burying them alive.
The cross breed pups were found by 15-year-old Murad Khan while he was out playing with his fiends in a field in Highercroft off Lytham Road, Blackburn. His mother Freda, of Thornton Close, is now appealing for people to help police and the RSPCA catch those responsible.
Higher Croft councillor Andy Kay said he was sickened by the crime.
He said: "It is absolutely barbaric. You hear about people drowning cats, but never anything like this.
"I would not hesitate in seeking a prosecution for those responsible."
The nine-day-old puppies have yet to open their eyes and would have died if Murad had not dug them out of the earth on Monday afternoon.
His mother, Freda, could not bring herself to let the dog warden take them away.
"I couldn't let them go, he would have put them down," she said.
Last year the RSPCA revealed they investigated more than 2,000 cases of animal cruelty in Lancashire -- the highest figure in the North West -- and there were 44 convictions.
A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "Why anyone would want to do this to defenceless animals is beyond belief, if it had been cold these puppies would have died before they were rescued.
"Dumping puppies is completely despicable and illegal.
"If prosecuted these people can be sent to prison for six months, fined up to £5,000 and banned from owning an animal for life.
"When they're caught people give excuses that they didn't expect to get puppies, but there is no excuse.
"All people have to do is have their pets neutered, it doesn't cost very much and your vet or the RSPCA can do it."
A police spokesman said they would also be looking to catch the heartless culprits.
The spokesman added: "In cases such as these we work in partnership with the RSPCA in bringing a prosecution. We want to find out who is responsible."
Murad was out collecting wood for a go-cart when he heard the strange noises, he investigated and had to dig up a cardboard box before he knew what was making the noise.
The box had been closed and covered with soil.
Mrs Khan said: "He brought them home because he didn't know what to do, I called the dog warden but when he came round a couldn't let them go.
"They're so cute, they haven't even opened up their little eyes yet, but I dare not name them, its too soon."
If anyone is interested in giving the puppies a name and a home please contact the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on 01254 678678, ext 318.
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