A COUNCIL is appealing for information after a neglected dog was handed in to staff.

The one-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback cross was found in Forest Hill by a member of the public and given to Lewisham Council’s Animal Welfare team.

Animal welfare officer Kaye Foley said: “She’s very thin and she has a number of old scratches and wounds which could have been caused by another dog.

“What is most concerning is that she is producing milk so we believed there is a litter of puppies somewhere in the borough.

“We need to make sure they are ok.”

The dog was taken to a vet who scored her overall condition as one out of five.

She is currently being cared for at Battersea Dogs Home.

Miss Foley, who has been a welfare officer for three-and-a-half-years, said: “We want to make sure the puppies are in a good condition and they are not too young to be away from mum.

“We also don’t want them being sold to the public when they can’t fend for themselves.”

This breed of dog can have around four to eight puppies in a litter.

Miss Foley added: “It’s not very common for a dog to be found in this condition, which is why we want to find out what happened.”

Anyone with information about the puppies or the mother should call the Animal Welfare team on 020 8314 2098.