THESE tiny two-day old puppies were dumped under a hedge before their eyes had even opened.
The three bitches were rescued by the RSPCA, which is looking after them at its Great Ayton centre, North Yorkshire.
The tan and white puppies, which should still be with their mother, were found huddled under a hedge at Peterlee, County Durham, in the freezing cold yesterday.
RSPCA officers are eager to hear from anyone who recognises the puppies, which are believed to be Staffordshire bull terriers, or knows who abandoned them and left them to die.
They are also looking for a surrogate mother to bring up the pups.
A spokesman said: "They are healthy at the moment, but it is really hard to rear puppies from this young age.
"If someone has a surrogate mother we could use it would be ideal. If a bitch has just given birth it would accept other puppies.
"We would also like some information where they come from and why they were abandoned."
Anyone who has a lactating dog that could become the pups' mother is asked to call 0870 5555999.
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