Yorkshire abandoned puppies: Sole surviving pup in abandoned litter of 11 flourishing in South Yorkshire

Tippy, who is now five-weeks old, and her siblings were found abandoned in a wooded area by passers by in Huddersfield, before being checked over by vets and were estimated to only be a few hours old, with umbilical cords still attached.

Tippy’s new mum, RSPCA deputy chief inspector Sara Jordan, said: “It is so callous to think these vulnerable puppies who were only a few hours old had been dumped like this. I am concerned that their mother is out there and also may require veterinary attention.”

Despite the best efforts of vets and RSCPA staff, Tippy is the only pup from the litter to survive, and is being nursed back to health by Sara.

She said: “The puppies required very intense care as they were completely reliant on us, as they would be their mother. But sadly it seems they had some congenital defects or infections which meant despite everyone’s best efforts they could not survive.

“The ray of light is Tippy seems to be doing so well although it has been touch and go. She almost died three times due to urinary infections but each time she was given immediate veterinary treatment and had the fight to pull through.”

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One of Tippy’s siblings had developed breathing difficulties shortly after she was found and a vet decided the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.

However, Tippy has continued to defy the odds and is developing a personality and sees Sara as her mum.

Sara said: “Initially she had to be fed every 90 minutes so I was up in the night quite a lot and I had to take her everywhere with me to keep a very close eye on her.”

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Sara and colleagues at the RSPCA are investigating the case and hope to identify the person responsible for the cruelty.

They are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time or who knows a dog who recently gave birth but doesn’t have a litter to nurse should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line, confidentially, on 0300 123 8018.

To help support the RSPCA, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/stopcruelty