Caitlin Gallagher

A Lincoln dog rescue needs help after a heavily pregnant Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog in their care give birth to 11 puppies.

The staffie, called Roxy, was rescued by Bullies In Need (BIN) on what they thought would be a routine dog assessment.

Already mother to three litters of pups after being used as a “money making machine” by her owners, she has now given birth to her fourth — and hopefully last — litter.

Roxy has previously been passed around to different families after initially living on the streets, each of which allowed her to become pregnant.

Roxy is very malnourished due to being used as a puppy machine, so requires help to care for the pups. Photos: Bullies In Need

With each litter her health deteriorated to the point where now, after giving birth to eleven puppies, she is severely underweight and at risk of health issues such as being unable to produce enough milk to feed her pups. After undergoing so many pregnancies Roxy is now at risk of prolapse, pyometra, eclampsia, chafing and soreness.

Luckily, BIN volunteers were able to find her a foster home and within hours of being re-homed her new foster household swelled to include the newborn puppies.

BINS volunteer Sally Turzanski said: “If BIN volunteers hadn’t happened to see Roxy, then her and her puppies lives would have been at risk and the puppies who lived would have been sold purely for profit.”

Help wanted

Since being rescued, Roxy has had someone by her side every minute of the day to ensure she maintains her health.

However, she cannot care for her puppies on her own. Due to being undernourished a care team have had to provide the puppies with milk every few hours, and provide both Roxy and her pups with home cooked meals to aid her recovery.

Roxy and her puppies will be spayed and neutered in the next six months to ensure Roxy’s puppies will not repeat the life of their mother. This will mean that people will be unable to breed them for profit.

Photo: Bullies In Need

Photo: Bullies In Need

The volunteers at BIN have been able to break this cycle of abuse but are reaching out to for donations to support Roxy and her puppies due to the cost of monitoring eleven puppies.

Funds will go towards their Amazon wish list which includes a set of weighing scales to monitor the weight of the newborn pups, collars and leashes as well covering health costs such as Roxy’s spaying, vaccinations, worming and fleaing for all twelve dogs.

BINS volunteer Sally Turzanski said: “Every time someone shows Roxy and the Pups kindness it truly means the world to all the care team. We have been overwhelmed with people in a great way.”

If you would like to help Roxy and the puppies, you can either donate using PayPal to [email protected].

You can keep up to date on the puppies and their mother by liking their Facebook page.

Sir Robert Pattinson Academy have organised a five day sixth form convention in North Hykeham in conjunction with North Kesteven School from June 9 to 13.

The convention was attended by over 250 pupils who have heard from senior business people, university officials and health professionals.

Speakers included senior officials from the University of Newcastle, Lincoln College, the RAF, Lincolnshire Police and the University of Lincoln.

Former pupils who are currently attending universities in the UK also returned to give talks on university life.

Workshops and talks were also given on how to choose the right university, writing personal statements and how students can establish themselves in a range of careers including IT, health, engineering and teaching.

Director of learning at Sir Robert Pattinson Academy, Caroline Gadsby, said: “The convention is a fantastic way to provide our pupils with a real insight into the worlds of university learning and business.

“It gives our sixth formers the opportunity to really focus on their goals and how best to achieve them. Hearing from former pupils who have achieved those goals is also a real inspiration.”

Headteacher Helen Renard said: “The school prides itself on doing everything to enable our students to reach their potential and preparing them for life after school is a key part of that philosophy.

“The convention plays a key role in inspiring our pupils to set their own goals and help reach them.”