The RSPCA is appealing for information after CCTV footage captured the moment a woman abandoned a dying four-month-old puppy outside a kennels near Leeds — leaving him in the dark two hours after the facility had closed, with a head injury, blood coming from one ear and a body condition so poor vets rated it just one out of five.
The puppy, named Hobi by those who cared for him, was a lurcher-cross left outside Woodhaven Kennels in South Milford at 7pm on 6 May. The kennel owner discovered him and rushed him to a vet, but despite their efforts Hobi could not be saved. He was found to be severely dehydrated and was still in possession of his baby teeth, consistent with an age of only a few months.
CCTV footage shows a woman dressed entirely in black leaving the stricken animal outside the closed premises. Shortly afterwards, a second woman arrived at the kennels in a grey saloon car, wearing a pink top. It is believed she enquired about the puppy, indicating he belonged to a friend, but did not provide the owner’s details or any contact information.
RSPCA Inspector Joanne Taylor, who is leading the investigation, said the puppy’s condition had deteriorated rapidly after he was taken in. “His cognitive awareness deteriorated significantly post admission, which the vet said could indicate a recent or same day injury due to brain bleeding,” she told The Sun. “However, the head injury could also have been an older issue.” She described the incident as “extremely sad and upsetting” and said the RSPCA was keen to trace the woman in the footage, believing she “may hold vital information which could support our enquiries.”
Hobi had no microchip, leaving investigators with no straightforward means of tracing his owner.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference number 01795608.
