A TINY puppy is lucky to be alive after it was found in a cardboard box inside Yelverton public toilets.

A local man found the shivering pup on August 3 at around 10pm and immediately called Town Farm Vets in Horrabridge.

The puppy was thin at only 700g, and distressed as she was only around three to four weeks old.

Vets were shocked to find the young animal had been abandoned in a men's toilet.

Student veterinary nurse Marie Bartlett was on call that week and immediately took a shine to the puppy, who has now been called Bonnie.

Bonnie, who is believed to be a collie cross, is now a healthy 2kg and relishing all the attention she can get.

Marie said: 'She was found in a cardboard box with no blanket and she was freezing and hungry and had got an infection from being so cold.

'It is sad that people will do something like this but Bonnie has pulled through and she gets on really well with my dog Maude, a collie cross spaniel.

'She is so well behaved and is learning a lot from Maude.'

Karen Tyrrell, practice manager for Town Farm Vets, said: 'I think Bonnie was there for the whole day in those toilets.

'It probably wasn't until she was getting hungry that she started to squeak and luckily someone heard her.'

The incident has sparked a message for the public from the practice.

Karen said: 'There is no need for someone to do this. If they are embarrassed that they can no longer afford to look after their animal they can hand the animals into vets or rescue centres.

'Even if they thought that something was wrong with it and they couldn't afford the bills they could contact the RSPCA or Blue Cross or places like that who can help with the costs.'