A STARVING puppy was stuffed in a cardboard box and left to die by a roadside.

Carlos the springer spaniel was only found when a passer-by spotted the moving box in Mill Lane.

The tiny puppy was emaciated and had long nails.

“When he came in on Thursday he was in a poor condition,” said new owner Emma Smart, who works at Drove Vets where the dog was taken.

“And on Friday I decided to rescue him. We think he’s about six months old.”

Once the member of the public found the dog they rushed it to Drove Hospital in Croft Road.

Inspector Steph Daly said: “We have no idea how long the puppy had been dumped, before it was found but it is very lucky the member of the public was so vigilant.

“The puppy was really frightened and had very sore skin as a result of untreated mange which left him bald on his ears, tail and belly.

“He also had quite sore feet and could well have been shut in somewhere for a while, coming perhaps from a puppy farm or somewhere similar.”

When he was at Drove he caught the eye of practice accountants manger Emma Smart, who later took him home to live her, her partner and their two dogs.

“We wouldn’t have expected him to be too trusting of people, but he’s actually really affectionate,” said Emma.

“And he loves sitting on my lap.”

The RSPCA is appealing for information to trace the puppy’s owner and discover how he came to be abandoned.

Inspector Daly said: “There is never any excuse for abandoning an animal, whatever the circumstance.

“If people have pets which they can no longer look after, for whatever reason, then help and advice is available from a number of organisations, including the RSPCA.

“I would urge anyone with information about this dog to contact the RSPCA as we believe the person responsible for it may have other animals in need of our help.”

Anyone with information about this puppy is urged to contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for inspector Daly.