Three dogs found dumped in cage set to be rehomed

Three dogs found abandoned in a cage at a nature reserve are set to be rehomed after attempts to trace their owner proved unsuccessful.

The three dogs were kennelled by Bassetlaw District Council after being discovered at Idle Valley Nature Reserve in Retford, Nottinghamshire, on 24 February.

Despite the dogs being microchipped, their information had not been updated leaving their owners untraceable, the council said.

But the authority says it is hopeful the dogs will find a new home "very soon" following interest from people from as far away as Norfolk.

Paula Clarkstone, who came across the dogs as she left the reserve last week, said she was in "disbelief" at the time.

"I just want them to find a lovely home where they're happy and somebody looks after them like I do with my dogs," the 55-year-old said previously.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which runs the nature spot, said it was also "shocked" by the incident.

The council had said it would look after the dogs in its "appointed kennels" for eight days and if unclaimed, they would be available to be rehomed.

In an update on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the authority said: "During the eight days that the dogs were kennelled, sadly no-one came forward to claim them.

"We also attempted to trace the owners by using the data on their chips, however, this information had not been updated and the owners could not be traced.

"The positive news is that the dogs are still in good health and our appointed kennels have begun the process of finding them a new home.

"Thanks to the media coverage and information shared on social media, we have already had enquiries from members of the public, some from as far away as Surrey and Norfolk.

"We are hopeful that the dogs will find a new home very soon."

The rehoming of the dogs will be managed by the kennels, the council added.

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