Puppy left to die in a snow-covered field

Katie is being cared for at the Scottish SPCA rescue centre in Glasgow

A dog walker discovered a puppy which had been put in a plastic bag and left to die in a snow-covered field.

The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) said the six-week-old female crossbreed was discovered in the village of Catrine in Ayrshire on Monday afternoon.

The animal survived and has been named Katie by staff caring for her at the Glasgow Animal Rescue Centre.

The SSPCA said Katie, who had probably been in the bag a number of hours, was expected to make a full recovery.

Scottish SPCA Ambulance Driver, Jean MacKay said: "Katie was found at around 4pm on Monday inside a plastic 'Farmfoods' carrier bag in the middle of the field which is located next to a row of garages near Somerville Street.

"It was actually the lady's dog that ran into the the field and began sniffing at the bag and there was Katie, shivering inside.

Freezing cold

"We don't know how long she'd been there for but we think it was a matter of hours rather than days because a little pup like Katie could not have survived for very long outside in the freezing cold.

"Unfortunately lots of puppies in particular tend to be dumped after Christmas when they become unwanted presents, though that's perhaps unlikely in this case given Katie's age."

The charity said that abandoning an animal is an offence that carries stiff penalties of up to a maximum of six months in prison, a £5,000 fine or both.

Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.