Jogger saves abandoned pups from freezing on Christmas Day

People are being reminded that puppies are not just for Christmas by the Athlone Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

It comes after it emerged a number of pups were left on the side of a country road near Four Roads in Co Roscommon, on Christmas morning.

The Jack Russell pups, who were around seven-weeks-old, were only saved from freezing to death by a jogger who discovered them.

Welfare officer with Athlone SPCA, Billy Gallagher, said: "I have seen posters up, flyers up around the place saying 'puppies for Christmas' with phone numbers and pictures of them.

"It is never ending. We are getting the message across, but some people seem to think that a puppy is like a toy. They are a 15-year commitment."

The puppies are now doing fine.