Hundreds of pets dumped in cold snap

The RSPCA received more than 2,000 calls about pets which were dumped outside in sub-zero temperatures and blizzards.

A spokesman said that throughout December, 2,112 calls about abandoned animals were investigated in England and Wales – an increase on 1,923 last year.

On Christmas morning, a three-month-old German shepherd cross puppy called Eve was found abandoned in a box in an alleyway in Sheffield.

A seven-week-old kitten, named Ivy by RSPCA staff, was found wandering in the snow on December 16 in Great Ayton, near Middlesbrough. A concerned member of the public took the short-haired tabby to the RSPCA.

Six Staffordshire bull terrier puppies were brought to RSPCA Mallydams Wood in Sussex on December 23. At only six weeks old, the dogs should not have been parted from their mother, the spokesman for the charity said.

Between December 23 and December 27, RSPCA inspectors investigated 329 complaints about abandoned animals.

The spokesman said that on Christmas Eve, a call was answered every minute from a member of the public concerned about the welfare of an animal.

Inspector Tony Woodley said: "After all these years of trying to encourage people to not abandon their pets, it's so disheartening to see that it's still happening in droves.

"These animals are simply cast aside with little thought for their health and well-being. There's no excuse for such callous and heartless behaviour."

A spokesman for the charity added that hundreds of injured wild animals had extended stays at centres as the cold weather delayed their release.