Puppy Pandora: Abandoned husky-cross attracts 750,000 hits, 500 home offers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-30014482

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An abandoned puppy, thought to have been imported into the UK illegally, has been offered a new home by at least 500 dog lovers.

An online picture of Pandora, who is 10 weeks old and thought to be a husky cross-breed, has received 750,000 hits.

After being found under a hedge near a main road by a dog warden, Pandora was taken to Merseyside Dogs' Home.

Staff believe the puppy, valued at £1,000-£2,500, was abandoned after being smuggled into the country.

Manager Paul Dunne said: "We've checked [breeders in] all of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, and no-one seems to know anything about her.

"She's a designer dog, a miniature cross between a husky and a Pomeranian, deliberately designed to be appealing, and very high value.

"We believe she is part of puppy trafficking from eastern Europe.

"They come over in a van load, maybe 30 dogs at a time, and people are willing to pay large amounts of money for such small, puppy-like dogs.

"On a transportation like that you'd expect to lose 40% of the puppies.

"She's lucky to be alive."