The RSPCA is appealing for information after three newborn puppies were dumped at an industrial estate in County Durham.

The bodies of the puppies were found when staff came in to work at a business on Dabble Duck Industrial Park in Shildon on February 5.

A towel with a picture of ‘Snoopy’ on it and a blue plastic carrier bag were found along with the puppies.

RSPCA inspector Clare Wilson said: “The business’ gates are locked overnight so either these puppies have been thrown over the surrounding wall and have spilled out of the bag and towel when they landed or they were dumped alive and crawled out. All three puppies are newborn, brown and white and possibly Staffies. It's unlikely three of the same litter died of natural causes at full-term so I suspect foul play or neglect. I want to find out where they came from so I can check on any remaining puppies and the mother dog."

“If anyone knows of any puppies born on Wednesday or Thursday who have gone missing since, recognises the towel or saw anything they think might help my investigation please get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300-1238018 and ask to leave a message for Inspector Wilson.

Inspector Wilson said: “No animal should be disposed of in this way - finding them has greatly upset the workers.

“If they were dumped alive I dread to think of the suffering they would have endured as there is still snow and ice on the ground in this area. We are always a call away to help with any unexpected arrivals.”