One of the seven labrador puppies which was rescued after being dumped on the side of the A249 has died.

The pup, called Achilles, was suffering from a mystery illness and ended up deteriorating quickly this morning while waiting for the vet.

Achilles, along with his five brothers and a sister, was found after being abandoned in a crate by the side of the A249 between Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

All the dogs were underweight and suffering from mange.

While most of the puppies started to thrive and put on weight at KareBear Kennels in Gillingham, they noticed that his sister weighed just half of what she was meant to.

Since then, Swale Borough Council's dog warden said that after noticing Achilles was off his food, Kelly and Billy Bleach, from the kennels, rushed him to Newnham Court Veterinary Hospital in Maidstone where he was kept overnight for fluids and observation.

His temperature ended up going down and he was sent home with medication, and was being monitored 24/7, however quickly deteriorated and died this morning in Billy's arms.

In a post on Facebook, KareBear Kennels said: "We lost one of the little rescue puppies today. We’re absolutely broken, he didn’t ask to be bred and dumped.

"We have done everything to help him but unfortunately his little body couldn’t take anymore and he had a fit and passed away.

"At least he had love for the last week of his very short life."

Swale Borough Council's Stray Dog Service said: "We're all devastated and still reeling from the loss, life seems so cruel sometimes.

"We held Achilles, loved him and hoped against hope that we could give him a better life. We don't know the trauma he experienced before coming to us, but we like to think his last week was his best week.

"Neither we nor the vets really know why he failed to thrive, though based on his symptoms, it's their professional opinion that he had a congenital issue. We're so sorry we couldn't save you beautiful boy.

"As promised, we will always treat our strays with love, dignity and respect and we hope that Achilles knew, even if just for a short time, that he was treasured."