ANIMAL welfare experts have appealed for help after four tiny puppies were abandoned in freezing conditions in a park.

Members of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) were called to Whiteknights Lake, near the University of Reading, on November 19.

Two girls and two boys were discovered in a plastic bin liner by a passer-by who spotted them under a tree at around 10am.

Justine Hermon said: “The puppies are very lucky to have been found - at this age there is no way they would have survived on their own.

"They are very young and do not yet have their eyes open.

“They were rushed to a vet where they received immediate treatment."

The charity says the animals were 'left to die' in the cold and were fortunate to have been found in time.

All of the animals are now being looked after by a foster career, but the RSPCA wants to know who is behind abandoning the lovable dogs.

The two girls - who have been named Ivy and Tinsel - are thought to be just two weeks old and so too are the boys - Ruby and Chestnut.

Ms Hermon added: "They are now with a foster carer, who is looking after them around the clock as they are completely reliant on hand-rearing to replicate the care their mum should be giving them.

“It is heartbreaking to think someone could just put them in a bag and leave them to die.

"There is never an excuse for treating animals with such cruelty.

“We urge anyone who saw anything suspicious at all to call us on 0300 123 8018.”

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit the website: