The dog was found in a pitiful state at the Rathmore Road, Dunadry, on Friday morning.

Antrim Borough Council's Dog Warden has hit out at what he described as "yet another distressing case of animal cruelty".

Paul Chapman took the call on Friday morning from a member of the public.

"She had come across a box on the Rathmore Road at Dunadry and could hear pitiful crying coming from inside. When she opened the box, inside was an extremely distressed dog and six tiny pups, barely a day old.," Paul said.

He added: "The mother was in an awful state. Not only had she lost the family she relies on, she was recovering from the trauma of having her puppies."

Thankfully, mother and her pups are doing well and are being cared for with a view to being rehomed at a later stage.

Urging anyone who no longer wants a dog not just to leave it to fend for itself, somewhere remote, but to call any of the Borough Wardens at the Council for them to collect the dog.

"The simple answer to unwanted puppies is to have your dog spayed and avoid a heartbreaking situation such as this arising again," Paul said.

If you would like to give a loving and caring home to the mother or any of the pups, please contact Paul at Antrim Borough Council 9446 3113.