Terrier gives birth while tied up

One of the seven puppies was born while the mother was tied to the tree

A dog has given birth while she was tied to a tree.

The Staffordshire bull terrier had already had one puppy when she was seen by a member of the public on a green in Bridgwater in Somerset.

The bitch, thought to be two years old, was taken to a nearby animal rescue centre where she gave birth to six more puppies. One was born in the car park.

The dog, named Olive by the RSPCA, was apparently abandoned by her owner. She and the seven puppies will be re-homed.

John Pollock, of the RSPCA, said: "I have made visits to the area where this poor creature was found and have put up abandonment notices, but so far we have received no information.

"It is incredibly lucky the dog and her puppy were found and taken to safety as anything could have happened to them out in the open.

"And if there had been complications with the birth she would have needed urgent veterinary treatment."

The dog was found in Cranleigh Gardens in Bridgwater on 1 July.

The RSPCA is asking anyone with information about the animal to contact them.