FIVE NEWBORN puppies were dumped in a wheelie bin to die as their frantic mother tried in vain to rescue them.

The dog was seen howling and scratching at the sides of the rubbish container trapping her Springer-Labrador crossbreeds. Police have launched a cruelty investigation following the shocking discovery in Strabane, Co Tyrone. Officers were called out to Castlegrange Park in the town where two of the litter, believed to be only days old, were already dead. The other three died later.

Police confirmed they were investigating a case of animal cruelty. They urged anyone with information about how the dogs ended up in the bin to officers in Strabane or the local dog warden.