The BC SPCA Vernon and District Branch is asking for the public’s help in identifying five barely four-week-old puppies who were abandoned beside a dumpster at the Petro Canada station at 27th Street and 48th Avenue Tuesday afternoon.

The Roti-cross pups were in a closed apple crate on a day when the temperature reached 33 degrees. “The puppies are injured, weak from lack of food and dehydrated. One has a festering neck wound and a scar on his nose and has been put on antibiotics. A second has head trauma, swelling, and can’t open his eyes. Yet another has an eye infection,” says Corinne Ross, Vernon and District BC SPCA branch manager.

“These helpless little puppies don’t deserve such cruel treatment. What is so disturbing is that they could have been dropped at a veterinary clinic which is right around the corner from the gas station. Their injuries, in addition to the way they were abandoned is highly suspect. We are asking the public to jog their memories and report anything to us that might help explain how the puppies came to be there.”

The puppies were rescued when a worker just coming off shift was taking garbage to the dumpster and heard a sound coming from the crate. A call was placed to Vernon Dog Control who immediately turned the puppies in to the Vernon SPCA shelter so the pups could receive medical attention.

The pups, who are very frail, are currently in foster care with a shelter employee. If you have any information which might help solve this case please contact the BC SPCA Vernon and District Branch at 250-549-7297.

The BC SPCA conducts nearly 7,000 cruelty investigations each year. Your gift can help rescue, protect and care for animals and bring abusers to justice. Please donate today.

Photo caption: The BC SPCA Vernon and District Branch is asking for the public's help involving a case of five puppies were abandoned beside a dumpster at a gas station.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.