She didn't get a squeaky toy or a cosy blanket to snuggle up to - instead she was simply turfed out onto the cold streets of South Yorkshire.

She is only around eight weeks old and has a deformed front leg.

On Christmas Day instead of being surrounded by a loving family she was found wandering the streets of Sheffield and eventually handed in to the police.

The black and white Cross Boxer puppy has been known as 'Mossway 28' - her official form of identification at Cliffe Kennels in Hoylandswaine, near Barnsley - because no-one knows her name.

But kind-hearted staff, who have started calling the puppy Holly, say they are determined to give her as good a start as possible to the New Year and find her a new home.

And little Mossway 28 is not the only animal cruelly abandoned over the festive period.

Jan Bowley, at Cliffe Kennels, said "Christmas is supposedly the time of peace and goodwill to all men, but we have seen an awful lot of bad will towards so many dogs this year.

"We are resigned to the calls every Christmas Day from police stations all over Barnsley and Sheffield because dogs have been handed in or found simply abandoned and sadly this year was no exception

"There are around 35 dogs here right now, many of whom were have taken in over the so called festive season.

"It can be heartbreaking, at the one time of year you expect kindness and consideration you are faced with cruelty.

"This little pup is very sweet and she is happily running around despite her deformed leg, but no matter how much love and affection we try to give her, what she really needs is a loving home."

Anyone interested in giving a home to Mossway 28, or any of the other pets abandoned this Christmas, can visit Cliffe Kennels between 11am and 4pm daily.

The kennels would also appreciate any donations of old newspapers, bedding or towels or cash to help them care for the pets they are trying to re-home.

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