Puppies found in bush with mouths taped shut

Two puppies have been found with their mouths taped shut in southeast Queensland, in what the RSPCA says is “one of the most disturbing cases of abandonment we’ve seen”.

An RSPCA investigation is underway after two puppies were found over the weekend in bushland near Ipswich with their mouths taped shut.

A video uploaded to TikTok by Jake O’Keefe on Sunday shows the two dogs, one tan and the other dark brown, with tape wrapped around their snouts.

One of the puppies with its mouth taped shut. Picture: Tiktok/dynamicframez

The footage shows an RSPCA inspector gently cutting the tape from one of their mouths.

One of the dogs appeared to be shivering while being held, while the other dog whimpered and tried to lick the inspector while the tape was removed.

“It was one of the greatest days of my life,” the emotional inspector can be heard saying in the video after freeing the second puppy.

Mr O’Keefe told The Courier-Mail he first spotted one of the dogs about 12pm Saturday on Robin Street in Chuwar.

“We saw the poor little bugger running across the road and saw (an RSPCA inspector),” he said.

“She set up a few cages to try to wait for (the dog). I came back 4.30pm and couldn’t stop thinking about that dog.

“They were a bag of bones.”

One of the dogs whimpered when the tape was removed Picture: Tiktok/dynamicframez

An RSPCA spokeswoman said a caring member of the public caught one of the dogs on Saturday.

“The second puppy, still on the loose and extremely fearful, was retrieved the following day by RSPCA inspectors, with the help of its rescued littermate, who encouraged the frightened pup to come closer. It was a patient wait and a commendable act by our inspector,” she said.

“RSPCA inspectors found tape residue on all four of their paws, leading to suggest that their legs had also been bound.”

The puppies are now in RSPCA care. Picture: RSPCA

The RSPCA Chief Inspector described the situation as “disturbing”.

“This is one of the most disturbing cases of abandonment we’ve seen,” he said.

“These puppies were left defenceless and in a condition that could have easily led to prolonged suffering or death if they had not been found in time.

“This is not only cruel – it is also illegal. Under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, it is an offence to abandon an animal or cause it harm. The actions inflicted on these puppies are utterly unacceptable, appear to have been done with clear intent, and we are determined to identify those responsible.

“There are many other choices a person can make rather than dumping animals. Surrendering them to a shelter, reaching out to a rescue group, or asking for help is always the right path. Abandonment is never the answer.”

RSPCA is now appealing for witnesses to come forward. Picture: RSPCA

Under the Animal Care and Protection Act (2001), those found guilty of animal cruelty offences can face a maximum penalty of $322,600.00 or 3 years imprisonment, or a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment for severe animal cruelty under the Criminal Code Act 1899.

RSPCA Inspectors are urgently appealing to the public for information and are seeking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity or has knowledge of how the puppies came to be in such a state.

Information can be provided by calling the RSPCA Hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) or reporting online.