A litter of flea-ridden puppies which were found starving and abandoned in a bush are receiving care in the hopes of being re-homed.

Yesterday, at around 6.45pm, Medivet care in Egremont Road, Bearsted, was visited by a woman with a box full of the furry siblings.

She found the four spaniel puppies – estimated to be between six to eight weeks old – in a bush behind Maidstone Boxing Club in Park Wood.

Nurses were told how one had come running out towards her before returning to where it came from. When she followed it into the bush that’s when she heard and saw the rest of the pups.

Upon handing them over to student nurses Phoebe Mallion and Amelia Maynard, the condition the dogs had been left in was clear to see.

Amelia explained: “They were quite stressed and petrified.

“I can’t imagine how long they were there for but if the lady didn’t bring them in who knows what could’ve happened to them.

“They may have been eaten by foxes or could have frozen or starved.”

The pair cared for them an hour past closing time, making sure they were fed and watered before leaving them overnight in the kennels.

This morning the dogs have been treated for fleas and having tests for diseases like parvo.

The practice’s head nurse Mia Pring said: “They were covered in fleas, malnourished and are having diarrhea.

“They all have umbilical hernias as well which doesn’t cause them discomfort and can be easily rectified with surgery but this could be why they were dumped as most breeders wouldn’t deal with the problem.

“The plan is now to call the dog warden who will hold them until they can be placed in a rescue.”

It is a legal requirement for dogs without a microchip to be housed by a dog warden for seven days.

In that time an owner can come forward and reclaim their animal but once the time has elapsed, they have legally released all ownership of that animal.

The staff at the vets feel there is no indication the owner is worried about these puppies.

Phoebe said: “It’s frustrating people do these things.

“If you don’t want or can’t look after your pet, hand them over to a vet or a rescue don’t just dump them to die.”

Despite all they’ve been through the staff are optimistic for the puppies’ future.

Phoebe continued: “We are obsessed by them. Everyone keeps coming over to take pictures.

“I’m sure once they are in a rescue, they will find new homes in no time.”

Though the vet cannot directly help in re-homing the animals, it is calling for anyone with information about them to get in touch on 01622 736677.

The message from staff at Meidvets is: ‘Don’t abandon animals to die’.

“If you decide you no longer want your pet then please surrender them to a vet or a rescue centre, not judgment will be made. It’s not fair for the animals to suffer.”