Cyclist finds three severely ill abandoned puppies left in cardboard box in Essex

090820 ABANDONED PUPPIES ESSEX
The puppies were found in a layby in Rochford Credit: RSPCA

Staff at the RSPCA want to speak to anyone with information after a cyclist in Essex found three puppies abandoned in a cardboard box.

They were found in a layby on Shopland Road in Rochford, 8 August, at 4pm. The cyclist pulled over for a rest and noticed one of the puppies peeking out from the box.

The cyclist saw a puppy peeking its head over the box Credit: RSPCA

The young pups are around eight weeks old. Unfortunately, one of them had already died by the time they were found. Staff at the RSPCA say the other two were very skinny. They were taken straight to the vets near Southend Airport where they tested positive for Parvovirus, a highly contagious virus which causes severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. It usually affects unvaccinated dogs under six months old. 

It was the vets who then contacted the RSPCA for help.

It's hoped the two remaining puppies will recover Credit: RSPCA

The two puppies, a male and female, are now on fluids and medication. Staff at the RSCPA say they hope they'll pull through. They are asking with anyone with information to please contact them on 0300 123 8018.