A DOZEN puppies have been saved after being dumped at the roadside in a council recycling box.

The pups, thought to be around eight weeks old, were found badly dehydrated and suffering with worms and diarrhoea on the lane leading to the Llys Nini animal centre in Penllergaer.

They are now being nursed back to health by staff, who are appealing for anybody with information about where the dogs came from to get in touch.

Llys Nini deputy manager Laura Simpson said the 12 puppies were in a poor state when visitors to the centre found them late on Sunday afternoon.

She said: "We were still open to the public when a couple who had been visiting us came back with the box which they found beside the driveway leading to the centre.

"There were 12 puppies crammed inside, covered with a black and white blanket.

"They were in a bad way — they were extremely hot, were incredibly dehydrated and had very bad worms. The worms were so bad they were coming out of their mouths — it was one of the worst cases of worms I've seen.

"We rushed them straight to an out-of-hours vets for treatment."

The little Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross pups were given emergency fluids and antibiotics by the animal medics, then taken back to Llys Nini where they were treated for fleas and worms.

Now, just a few days later, they are on their way back to health — but the mystery of who abandoned them beside the road remains.

Miss Simpson said: "After receiving the treatment and being fed they are doing really well.

"They are much happier in themselves, and are quite lively — they are starting to want attention.

"They were found in a Neath Port Talbot Council recycling box, but we don't know where they came from, or who left them.

"Given the number of pups involved and their sizes, we suspect they may be two separate litters.

"It is hard to understand how someone could just dump them beside the road — if they were struggling to cope, they could have come to us to ask for help," said Miss Simpson.

She added: "I would appeal to anyone who knows where the pups came from to get in touch with us."

Call Llys Nini animal centre on 01792 229435.

jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk