Malnourished 'mange-ridden' labrador puppies found dumped in a crate set to begin lives as sniffer dogs
KENT, ENGLAND: A litter of adorable labrador puppies who were dumped in a crate by a road seems to have got a bright future ahead as they are nursed back to health to begin their new lives as prisoner sniffer dogs. The six pups were just 10-12 weeks old when they were discovered skinny, terrified, and mange-ridden after being 'discarded like rubbish' near the A249 in Kent. One young pup named Achilles sadly didn't survive and died from a mysterious illness, but within a couple of weeks, Swale Borough Council's Stray Dog Service nursed back his six 'fox red' siblings.
After just a couple of weeks under the council's care, the puppies have had two vaccines, are microchipped, and look full of life. They are now off to a foster family where they'll get to live as puppies until they're mature enough to begin their training. If they don't make the cut, they'll be privately rehomed.
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"This may be the cutest picture we've posted all year, don't the pups look fantastic?" a spokesperson for Swale Borough Council's Stray Dog Service said. "They've just come back from their second vaccinations and are bright eyed and bushy tailed, a far cry from when we picked them up just a few weeks ago. Now they're almost back to full health, we're finally able to share what their futures hold. In a few weeks time, we'll be saying a very teary goodbye as the pups move to foster homes, taking the first step in their careers as sniffer dogs for the prison service."
He continued, "We know that by making this choice we open ourselves up to negativity, as it isn't what everyone deems to be a happy ending, but we're overjoyed for our babies. They'll live their first year with foster families, getting to be puppies and mature a bit before starting their training. Any pups who don't make the cut will be rehomed privately so really, everyone wins." "Just think, they've gone from being discarded like rubbish to having a future fighting crime, what an amazing turnaround. Kelly and Billy have done a phenomenal job caring for the pups and we couldn't be more grateful. As always, thank you for your support," he added.
People showered with positive responses despite the dog service worrying about negativity, Daily Mail reports. One user said "Negativity Why ????? Brilliant news for the pups to be not sitting on a sofa and out working as they should be. All you people offering homes go elsewhere. Good luck pups and VERY WELL DONE ALL INVOLVED." Another said "Dogs with jobs! What an absolutely perfect outcome after a wretched start." A third added "Wow that’s fantastic!!! Love that they are going to be sniffer dogs. They look so adorable in their coats." And a fourth said "Wow that’s amazing and such a brilliant thing for them to do. Paws crossed they all pass the training when it comes around." Meanwhile another said "Fantastic news and a beautiful photo. I cant understand why anyone should be negative they will enjoy their jobs working with a handler. Happier ending than they could off had thankfully."
According to the RSPCA, the number of animals being dumped is rapidly rising with a 17 percent increase from 2020 to 2021 and a 24 percent increase in 2022.