Labrador pups dumped on side of road to be trained as sniffer dogs

By Pol Allingham via SWNS

Six adorable Labrador pups found abandoned in a crate by the road are set to be trained as sniffer dogs for the prison service.

They were just 10 to 12 weeks old when they were discovered skinny, terrified and mange-ridden after being "discarded like rubbish" by the A249 in Kent, England.

At the time they were too scared to leave the crate.

One named Achilles sadly died from a mystery illness but in just a couple of weeks his six fox red siblings were nursed back to health by a stray dog service.

After just a couple of weeks under the council's care, the pups look full of life, are nearly back to full health, have had two vaccines and are microchipped.

Achilles who died from a "mystery illness." (Swale Borough Council via SWNS)

« ‹ of 4 › »

They're now off to a foster family where they'll get to live as puppies until they're mature enough to begin their training.

If they don't make the cut they will be privately rehomed.

"This may be the cutest picture we've posted all year, don't the pups look fantastic?, said a spokesperson for Swale Borough Council's Stray Dog Service.

"They've just come back from their second vaccinations and are bright eyed and bushy tailed, a far cry from when we picked them up just a few weeks ago.

"Now they're almost back to full health, we're finally able to share what their futures hold. In a few weeks time, we'll be saying a very teary goodbye as the pups move to foster homes, taking the first step in their careers as sniffer dogs for the prison service.

"We know that by making this choice we open ourselves up to negativity, as it isn't what everyone deems to be a happy ending, but we're overjoyed for our babies.

"They'll live their first year with foster families, getting to be puppies and mature a bit before starting their training. Any pups who don't make the cut will be rehomed privately so really, everyone wins.

"Just think, they've gone from being discarded like rubbish to having a future fighting crime, what an amazing turnaround.

"Kelly and Billy have done a phenomenal job caring for the pups and we couldn't be more grateful.

"As always, thank you for your support."

Despite the dog service worrying about negativity, the responses have been overwhelmingly positive.

One user said: "Negativity Why ????? Brilliant news for the pups to be not sitting on a sofa and out working as they should be. All you people offering homes go elsewhere. Good luck pups and VERY WELL DONE ALL INVOLVED."

Another said: "Dogs with jobs! What an absolutely perfect outcome after a wretched start."