AN eight-month old puppy has been rescued after it was dumped in freezing temperatures in Westcliff.

The brown-and-white Staffordshire bull terrier bitch, named Cassie by her rescuers, was found locked in a cage out in the cold with no food, near garages off Salisbury Avenue.

The RSPCA has taken her in and is looking for a new home for her.

RPSCA inspector Matt Gough, criticised whoever left Cassie for dead with temperatures plunging to the lowest levels in years.

He said: “Cassie was confined to a cage and abandoned in what can only be considered a cruel and callous act. She was lucky to have been found before she froze to death.”

The discovery came as kennels across south Essex reported a rise in the number of dogs being dumped.

Michael Knight, of Wickford-based Gemini Kennels, said it had picked up more than 50 abandoned dogs since the beginning of December, twice the number it normally expected to see. Mr Knight said four dogs had even been dumped on Christmas Day, something he had never known before.

Several of the dogs were younger animals, apparently discarded by breeders who were unable to sell them.

Mr Knight said: “It’s difficult to say exactly why it’s happening.

“I don’t think it’s the recession. After all, how much does it cost to feed a dog? It’s a case where the law is not as stringent as it could be.

“I think microchipping dogs should be mandatory and the process of changing ownership of a dog should be the same as changing a car.

“There is also a situation where dogs are being bred, but people can’t afford to pay the price breeders are asking, so the dogs are dumped. It’s disgusting.”

Southend RSPCA has asked anyone who could give Cassie a good home to contact it on 07749 175023.

The organisation would also like to take the person who dumped her to court. If you have any information about this, you can call the RSPCA, in confidence, on 0300 1234999.