These two puppies were heartlessly abandoned in freezing conditions in a Penrith skip.

The boy and girl , believed to be Cocker Spaniels, were discovered covered in dirt and rubbish in an industrial skip in Haweswater Road early on Monday morning, by a cleaner emptying a hoover.

The dog’s were covered in fleas and mange, a skin disease caused by parasitic mites, and were riddled with worms.

The two youngsters believed to be around eight weeks-old, and probably brother-and-sister have been named Maggie and Boris by veterinary staff at Rowcliffe House Vets in Crown Square.

Practice manager, Lynette Ferrington said: “These puppies are very lucky to have been found - at this age there is no way they would have survived on their own in the cold and dangerous conditions they were left in.”

“It is a complete mystery how they came to be in the skip, and we are not sure how long they had been there, but despite their ordeal they are bright, happy little things, and have completely won us over,” added Lynette, who went on to say she had been with the practice for 17 years, but had never seen anything like the situation the pups were found in. “You often get kittens found in a similar state, but never pups abandoned like this.”

The puppies, one black and one brown, have been in the tender care of veterinary nurse Tillie Foy. “We gave them a thorough clinical examination, and have treated them for their mange, fleas and worms, and Tillie has been bathing and playing with them, and giving them plenty of cuddles,” said Lynette.

The pups had been handed over to the vets by 22-year-old Lucy Bodenham, from Carlisle, assistant manager at the Penrith branch of Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Haweswater Road.

She said: “If our cleaner had not been using the skip to dump rubbish I dread to think what would have happened to these little puppies. When he saw two pairs of eyes staring at him, he thought at first they were rats. They were so thin and tiny and covered in mud and dirt. We cleaned them and wrapped them in blankets. How anyone could do this, doesn’t bear thinking about. They would have never survived the night, it was so cold,” said Lucy.

“The puppies will be staying at the vets for a few more days to receive further treatment before going off to start new lives which will be full of love,” said Lynette. In the meantime Rowcliffe House will be posting regular pupdates on their Facebook page.

“We have had lots of offers of a home for the pups and not suprisingly because despite their ordeal they are very cute, but there are strict protocols in place and we have no say in the rehoming of them,” said Lynette.

“If anyone has a pet that they cannot take care of anymore, please do the right thing and hand them into a rescue centre or a veterinary practice, and anyone thinking of buying a puppy please take a look at the www.puppycontract.co.uk website for advice on how to find the right dog and how to spot a puppy dealer,” she added.