AN eighth Labrador puppy has been found abandoned near the South Downs Way.

Last Thursday the Chronicle reported how cyclist Rob Carter had found seven puppies near Cheesefoot Head as he cycled home the previous evening.

The seven pups were in good health but very hungry and are being cared for at Three Oaks Boarding Kennels near Bishop's Waltham, the contractor for the city council. The dogs' owner has a week to collect them before the city council seeks to have them rehomed.

The eighth puppy was discovered on Sunday by Suzanne Dennehy, who was out walking her dog, with husband Sean, son William and his girlfriend Katelynn Newman, at the back of Alresford golf course.

Suzanne said: “It was last Sunday, we were walking up there later in the afternoon with our dogs and my Staffy went into the hedge, when we went to get him out, we saw this little head – it was absolutely petrified.

“It must have been out there for five or six nights; I think if it was out there much longer it would have been had by a fox.”

Mrs Dennehy said that a spare lead was fetched from Ms Newman’s dog walking van, before they took the puppy home to Mrs Dennehy’s home in Beech Road, Alresford.

The puppy was said to not want to drink from a bowl or from Mrs Dennehy’s hand but did eventually have some water.

Talking about the pup, the dog walker added: “We were sat out the front of our house, we were talking to it, and it waggled its tail very slightly.”

The dog was taken to Three Oaks to join the others that were found on Wednesday evening.

The latest discovery has sparked concern that more puppies could still be lost in the countryside.

Rob told the Chronicle today: "Another was found on Sunday evening five miles from where we found the others."

He visited the kennels yesterday to see the canines that he rescued, and said: "The pups look much better and have now seen the vet and been wormed. Number eight is looking thin but was pleased to be reunited with others. Now it’s up to Winchester City Council to decide on where they will go to next."

Rob added: "Still no idea on how they got there. All a mystery!"

The police have received no reports of stolen puppies. The pups are not thought to have been microchipped.

In a statement, the city council have issued an update. 

  • The original 7 puppies were joined by an 8th on 16 October. This one was found in Alresford and we are fairly certain is from the same litter. He seemed happy to be reunited with the others.
  • They’ve had a vet check and been wormed. They are happy, healthy and are eating well. The Council has to keep the dogs for 7 clear days so they will be going to a dog rescue charity as of Thursday 21st October. Even though the 8th puppy came to us a few days later, we intend to keep him with the other puppies.
  • We are not aware of any puppies of this description being stolen but, if someone does come forward, they will be expected to provide evidence of ownership.
  • If the dogs remain unclaimed, they will be passed on to a dog rescue charity after 7 clear days, where they may need time to be assessed and rehabilitated before they can go to new homes. They will not be rehomed direct by Winchester City Council.
  • The dog rescue charity wish not to be named as they’ll need time to work with and assess the puppies before they go for rehoming.

READ MORE HERE:

Seven Labrador puppies were found abandoned on the South Downs Way

WATCH: Video of the seven puppies

PHOTOS: Puppies enjoying happy life at kennels after they were abandoned