Pup left outside supermarket
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a puppy was found tied up outside an ASDA supermarket in Galashiels.
The black four month old female crossbreed managed to get free and was caught by a member of the public as she narrowly missed being struck by a vehicle in the car park on Wednesday afternoon (10 February). The puppy was re-tied by the passer by, believing her owner must be inside the store, but ASDA staff became concerned when she was still there over an hour later and we were contacted to collect her.
Now being cared for at our Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, the puppy has been named Bonnie. We fear that she may be one of the first of this year's unwanted Christmas puppies.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Jenny Scott said, "Bonnie may have been left in error and her owner either forgot to collect her or came back during the time she was loose and couldn't find her.
"We are also looking at the possibility that she has simply been abandoned.
"She is a lovely little girl, full of energy and fun. She would have been around two months old at Christmas time, which is the age when you can take a puppy home so there is a chance that she was bought as a Christmas gift and is now no longer wanted. We hope that isn't the case for Bonnie, but it's a yearly occurrence for us.
"We'd like anyone who recognises her, or who saw anyone with her in and around the ASDA supermarket in Galashiels at around 1pm on Wednesday afternoon to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999."
Abandoning an animal is an offence that carries still penalties including up to six months in prison, a £5,000 fine or both. Anyone guilty of doing so can be banned from owning animals for a fixed period or life.
Anyone with information relating to the puppy should contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.