An animal sanctuary owner has been left mystified after becoming flooded with a dog breed she rarely sees.

The Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund recently recovered eight unchipped Boxers dumped on Ashford’s outskirts.

Bosses at the charity are quizzing where the animals came from, but suspect a private breeder whose stock has become out of control.

It follows the latest arrival of two boxer pups at the Stelling Minnis sanctuary, near Canterbury, which are among eight to have been found abandoned and taken in by the centre in the last couple of months.

But owner Margaret Todd says the sanctuary would normally only see one or two of the breed a year.

“It’s a bit of a mystery but also a bit worrying that these dogs are being dumped like they are,” she said.

“The latest two are just pups really, only about eight-months-old, but were quite underweight and had to be checked over by our vet.

“But they are a lovely pair and we have already found homes for them.”

The sanctuary still has three boxers to re-home – two girls who need to stay together and an older male who should be the only dog in the house.

But Mrs Todd says they are good natured, if lively and would be suit new owners who have the energy to give them regular walks.

“I’m always disappointed when people abandon animals like this, leaving them to suffer or even cause and accident with a car,” said Mrs Todd

“We are always bursting at the seams and Staffies and lurcher types are most often left with us. But we never turn away an animal in these circumstances so there is no excuse for it.

“We are just puzzled as to where they are coming from. They are all being found wandering in the Woodchurch area of Ashford, so quite rural, and aren’t chipped.

“I just wonder if it’s a private breeder who just can’t cope with them any more.”

Mrs Todd said there was a upsurge in demand for dogs, especially puppies, during the Covid lockdown when people living on their own wanted company.

But now the cost of living crisis is hitting, more people are wanting to give up their animals.

According to the Kennel Club, the Boxer is a descendant of the Bullenbeisser (meaning bull biter), a German breed which was used to hunt bear, boar and deer in the 19th century.

It is thought that this breed was crossed with the Bulldog and this provided the basis for the present day Boxer.

Its experts say the Boxer makes a great family companion and is renown for its intelligence and character,

For more information about the animal sanctuary or to inquire about re-homing an animal call 01303 862622 or go to www.lordwhisky.co.uk.