A LITTER of tiny pups is lucky to be alive after being dumped in a holdall close to the RSPCA animal shelter at Altham.

The seven were abandoned with their mother and another dog and RSPCA inspector David Anforth said if they had not been seen by a passer-by they could have died.

"We do not know how long they had been there but I don't think they would have lasted much longer," said Inspector Anforth.

"At that age puppies need warmth and milk from their mother and they clearly were not getting either."

The RSPCA has launched its own investigation to track down the person who abandoned the animals.

A scrap of paper identified the mother as being called Molly and the dog had a computerised microchip inserted.

The chip showed the owners as living in the Lancaster area but Insp Anforth said the information was two years old and no longer current.

Molly and her pups are now doing fine as is the other cross bred bitch which was abandoned with them.

The RSPCA will be seeking homes for them all and anyone who can help should contact the Altham shelter on 01254 231118.