Two puppies have died after being left in a sealed box on the doorstep of a Tonbridge home.

The RSPCA is appealing for information about the sellotaped-up box, which contained three puppies, left outside a house in Portman Park on Monday, November 3.

Sadly, two of the 10 week-old Jack Russell crosses were already dead when they were found.

The third, a male tan and black puppy, was very cold and poorly - but alive.

The box was very wet from being out in the rain, and it is thought it may have been sitting unnoticed for some time before the homeowner came back from work to find it.

The surviving puppy has since been named Jango. He was taken to Culverden Veterinary Group in Tunbridge Wells where he was put on a drip and cared for.

Very quickly, he made a good recovery and has already been re-homed by the daughter of a vet who cared for him.

Lauren Mclusky, who has adopted Jango said: "My mum was working with Jango after he was brought into the vets. She sent me a picture and said 'look how cute he is' and when I got the picture I realised he looks so much like my dog Pip, so I had to bring him home.

"It's absolutely outrageous the way the puppies were left, I mean if you were going to leave them - which shouldn't have been done anyway - why not leave them wrapped in a blanket warm and safe.

"Jango is about eight weeks old and named after the film about a slave who was saved. I couldn't not take him home after seeing him. He is getting on really well with Pip already, they love each other."

RSPCA inspector Charlotte Baumann said: "Being left out in the cold and rain in such a poorly state had fatal consequences for two of the little pups - which is so sad.

"We don't know how long they were left there in that soggy box before the householder came home and found them - but it seems likely they died during that time.

"Thankfully it looks like a happier ending for little Jengo though, who has made a fabulous recovery. He was shivering and weak and suffering from diarrhoea when we found him, but after just a day at the vets he has perked up no end and has now already been re-homed to someone connected to the vets.

"We think these puppies were probably dumped because they were poorly and their owners just didn’t want to, or couldn’t afford to, care for them anymore.

“I just wish people would think a little bit harder before they take on pets like these - and make sure they are willing and able to look after them in the long-term even if - in fact especially if - they get ill."

Anyone with any information about how these puppies came to be dumped is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.