Appeal after starved puppy found in Leeds playing fields

Wardens were called to playing fields in Osmondthorpe last Tuesday, after reports that an abandoned puppy was suffering breathing difficulties.

They found a severely emaciated Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog, estimated to be about four months old.

The brown male puppy was immediately taken to vets for medical attention, but was put down to end his suffering.

The case has been reported to the RSPCA.

Councillor Mark Dobson, executive member for the environment, said: “Wardens deal with cases of stray and abandoned dogs every day but this is one of the worst cases of neglect they’ve seen involving such a young dog. Its particularly upsetting as its clear the puppy was denied the basic care it needed and being in such a state doesn’t occur overnight.

“Whether this was allowed to happen through ignorance or done deliberately we can’t say, but it flies in the face of being a responsible dog owner.”

Anyone with information about the puppy or its owners can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.