POLICE have condemned a dog owner who left seven new-born puppies to die.

The seven black pups were left in a cardboard box in Iveston lane, Delves Lane, near Consett, County Durham, on Wednesday night.

Their umbilical cords were still wet and bleeding and they would have died if they had not been seen by a passer-by.

The animals were taken to Consett police station and are now with an animal rescue volunteer in Sunderland who has a bitch that is in milk and can wet nurse the puppies.

Sergeant Eddie Bell, a Durham Police wildlife liaison officer, said he was "shocked by the callousness of an owner who could dump helpless puppies".

He said: "They would have died within hours had they not been found. I would like to hear from any members of the public living in the Delves Lane area who might be able to trace the dogs' owner."

Call Consett police station on (01207) 504204.