Dogs Trust has issued an appeal after seven four-week-old puppies were abandoned in a plastic bag at the side of a road in Dublin.

The charity said a shocked driver found one of the defenceless puppies found one of the puppies in the middle of the road.

When he got out to help, he found six others in a plastic bag.

Dogs Trust said the pups were “soaking wet” and by the time they were found, two of them had already died.

The Dog’s Trust veterinary team did everything they could to save the rest of the litter; however, given their young age and the condition they were found in, just two survived.

Six-week-old puppies Faith and Hope who were abandoned with their five siblings in a plastic bag when they were just four-weeks-old. Image: Fran Veale/Dogs Trust Ireland

“Cases like this are incredibly upsetting for everyone involved,” said Dogs Trust Ireland Veterinary and Welfare Manager Niamh Curran-Kelly.

“At just four weeks old, puppies are still heavily dependent on their mother and wouldn’t be fully weaned yet.

“They were far too young to be separated from her, let alone to have been left outside in the cold and rain.

“Despite receiving the very best care, we were saddened that only two of the puppies have survived this ordeal.

“Thankfully, these two little fighters are thriving, and both have recently been adopted.”

Six-week-old puppies Faith and Hope who were abandoned with their five siblings in a plastic bag when they were just four-weeks-old. Image: Fran Veale/Dogs Trust Ireland

Dogs Trust dealt with a record number of surrender requests last year and the charity fears more animals will find themselves abandoned and in need of rescue this year.

The charity launched its ‘Save the Next Dog’ campaign last November in a bid to highlight the abandoned dog crisis in Ireland.

It said nearly 4,000 people contacted it in 2023, seeking to relinquish their dog into their care.

This was the highest volume of such requests Dogs Trust has received since opening their doors in 2009.

To find out how you can help Save the Next Dog, please see www.DogsTrust.ie/Crisis.