The RSPCA is appealing for information after a puppy, left shivering and with a broken leg in a Stourbridge playing field on Boxing Day, has had to be put to sleep.

The female Staffie-type puppy, who was named Ali by staff, was found in playing fields off Vicarage Road on Monday afternoon.

The three-month-old was taken to the RSPCA’s Birmingham Animal Hospital, however, despite the best efforts of staff, Ali was left weak from being outside in the cold and her condition deteriorated severely. She was put to sleep on veterinary advice that evening, to prevent further suffering. An RSPCA spokeswoman said:

“A member of the public found the puppy collapsed and shivering. She had been placed in front of the fire but was still shivering uncontrollably and was clearly in a lot of pain.

“An RSPCA officer took her to our animal hospital in Birmingham, where it was found she had a broken leg as well as puncture wounds. She had been through an awful lot and, very sadly, she took a turn for the worse later on in the day and was put to sleep on humane grounds.

“We don’t know for certain how she got her injuries – they could have been a deliberate act, or she might have been attacked by wildlife. She was clearly very vulnerable out in the open on her own and at such a young age.

“Ali was not microchipped so we don’t know where she came from or how long she was shivering alone in the field for, but someone somewhere might know something.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact the centre on 0300 123 8585.