Rottweiler pups prove a 'handful'

Tara's brood was the biggest the centre had handled

They have a fearsome reputation but 13 Rottweiler puppies at an animal centre in Glasgow have melted the hearts of staff there.

The one-week-old dogs are being hand-reared by workers at the Scottish SPCA centre in Cardonald.

They were rejected by their mother, Tara, when she gave birth after being handed in by her owner who was unable to care for her.

Staff have been working round the clock to feed and care for the huge litter.

Anna O'Donnell, the centre's assistant manager, said Tara's brood was the biggest the centre had handled.

She said: "We quickly realised that Tara wanted nothing to do with the puppies.

"I think she took one look at them and decided that it was going to be too tough a job for her and she was probably right.

We think there will be quite a bit of interest in the puppies so we will be drawing up a list of potential new owners Anna O'Donnell Scottish SPCA

She added: "We are working day and night to hand rear the puppies and it is certainly taking its toll on us.

"There are quite a few members of staff walking round the centre with dark circles under their eyes."

Rotas have been arranged to provide care for the tiny puppies until they are old enough to be given homes by members of the public.

Some of the litter will be transferred to the charity's Dunbartonshire Animal Rescue and Re-homing Centre.

The puppies father, TJ, was also handed in to the centre and is now being cared for at the Lanarkshire Animal Rescue and Re-homing Centre in Hamilton.

Ms O'Donnell added: "Once the puppies have been fully weaned, which will take eight weeks, we will be looking for loving homes for them.

"We think there will be quite a bit of interest in the puppies so we will be drawing up a list of potential new owners."