A SEARCH is under way for the owners of a puppy that was found starving and abandoned just two days after Christmas.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was found by a member of the public wandering near a pond on The Green in Theydon Bois, suffering from infected bite wounds and a broken leg.

The pup, which is just a few weeks old, is now receiving treatment from RSPCA inspectors who are appealing for information.

Inspector Nicola Middleton said: “This highlights the danger of giving pets as presents at Christmas as this young puppy may well have been an unwanted gift. She was too young to be by herself and had been neglected.”

At Hillside Kennels in Waltham Abbey, wardens have also been struggling to deal with the legacy of Christmas, and have had to turn away around 12 dogs that were brought to them.

Manager Hilary Lockyer said: “We take in a lot of abandoned pets before and after Christmas. We had a couple in yesterday.

"People who are going away over Christmas often don’t want to pay for kennels so dump the dogs on us.

“People do not think when they get these animals in the first place.

"One guy brought in a dog which looked cute as a puppy but when it grew up he said it was too big, and his little girl was scared of it so he dumped it. I mean, they must have seen the mother so knew how big it would grow.”

The young Staffordshire bull terrier may also find it hard to be rehomed because of the reputation her breed has acquired.

Mrs Lockyer said: “It’s got worse as time has gone on and unfortunately all the wrong people have got them and are breeding them with things like bull mastiffs and pit bulls, which is not good.”

The recession has also made it more difficult for kennels such as Hillside to raise the money they need to stay open.

Mrs Lockyer said: “We have space for 30 to 40 dogs but can only afford to house 15 at the moment. People have just stopped giving to charities.”

Anyone who was in the area around The Green on December 27 and may have information should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 4999.