Four dead puppies found in Dumfries and Galloway field

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after the discovery of four dead puppies in Dumfries and Galloway, expected to be victims of the puppy farming industry.

A lorry driver found the animals in a field next to a layby on the A77 between Cairnryan and Ballantrae.

The puppies were between 6 to 12 weeks old and thought to be a Spaniel breed.

It is suspected that the puppies were part of a shipment from Northern Ireland - which is where the majority of puppy farm suppliers are based, but died on the ferry journey to Scotland and were then dumped in the field.

With Christmas on the horizon, it's the favourite time of year for families to welcome new pets into their house. But the Scottish SPCA is urging people to be vigilant if buying a puppy this festive season.

It is also advised that anybody wanting to buy a puppy should avoid visiting free websites and instead, contact a registered breeder. The mother of the puppies should be viewed and make sure to inspect the environment which the animals have lived in.