Four puppies with mange so bad they'd gone almost completely bald were found in a bucket in Outwood after being dumped.

The spaniels were abandoned in someone's front garden in Wasp Green Lane, and were found at about 8am on Sunday morning (July 14). The RSCPA was called by the homeowner, who found a blue bucket with the puppies inside it.

RSPCA inspector Rebecca Timberlake was horrified at the state of the dogs, which are thought to be around six weeks old.

She said: "I cannot believe the state these poor pups are in, they are almost completely bald with red raw, itchy skin, and some suffering with eye ulcers. They are in a very sorry state indeed.

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"It is completely unacceptable to let an animal get into this state at all, let alone a litter of tiny puppies, and then abandon them in a garden, it's hugely irresponsible. Sadly, locals tell me the area has fallen foul to fly-tipping before as it's a quiet country lane, but it's unthinkable that someone thought it was okay to treat these animals like rubbish."

The puppies, three male and one female, were taken to a vet and found to be suffering from severe Demodex mange and dehydration, while two have ulcerated eyes.

RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre in Chobham took them in and they are now recovering thanks to round-the-clock care.

Inspector Timberlake added: "These puppies have really been through it, and it breaks my heart to see them in such a state, they must be so uncomfortable. The two with eye ulcers were in so much pain they had to have special numbing drops just so the vet could even open the eyes to examine them.

"Demodex mange is treatable but takes a long time for dogs to recover because it affects their immune system, so the puppies will be having medication for the foreseeable future as well as regular baths.

"Thankfully, they are perking up already and are eating and drinking really well, so we're really hopeful that they have a bright future ahead of them, but it's going to be a long road to recovery before they're fighting fit and grow their fur back."

Fact file: Demodex mange

This type of mange is caused by 'demodectic' mites. Unlike with sarcoptic mange - also known as scabies - the tiny mites live in a dog's hair follicles.

They are usually transmitted from the mother to her pups when they're just a few days old, and without proper care the condition can become severe and even life-threatening, according to The Kennel Club.

Typically puppies can fight off the condition but those with weak immune systems can become overrun by the mites and succumb to the resulting disease.

Thousands of blackheads develop and the puppies can get itchy, raw skin, lose fur and suffer lesions.

The pups have been named after the characters from Stranger Things because of their unusual appearance from their condition. They're called El, Mike, Dustin and Lucas.

No CCTV has been recovered and no witnesses have been found yet, so the RSPCA is asking for anyone with information about who dumped them or where they came from to get in touch.

Contact the RSPCA in complete confidence on the inspector's appeal line on 0300 123 8018 to leave Inspector Timberlake a message.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals visit the charity's website .