Desperate pleas went out last night to save a pack of dogs abandoned at a remote roadside.At least three of the terriers have already been killed by cars after reports estimating that more than ten animals were abandoned outside Rainthorpe Hall in Newton Flotman.

Desperate pleas went out last night to save a pack of dogs abandoned at a remote roadside.

At least three of the terriers have already been killed by cars after reports estimating that more than ten animals were abandoned outside Rainthorpe Hall in Newton Flotman.

While another three have been saved, there are fears that the remainder, who are frightened of human contact, will starve to death or get run over.

Pact Animal Sanctuary, based at Woodrising, near Hingham, is urging people in the area where the dogs were abandoned to be on the look-out and help capture them.

Chris Rockingham, founder member and trustee of Pact, said the case was “horrifying” but feared it was a sign of things to come.

She said: “This is going to happen more and more as the credit crunch bites deeper.

“Unless there is more control over ownership, and more importantly, breeding, it is just going to get worse.

“We are going to end up with situations where we have packs of dogs running wild.”

Three of the dogs were successfully caught and taken to Meadowgreen animal sanctuary at Hales, near Loddon, but bosses declined to comment or allow photos of the animals to be taken for publication.

A less fortunate three were injured on the road and died later, one was found dead in the nearby woods two days after witnesses saw it hit by a car.

At least one surviving terrier is still in the area where food is being left out but no-one has managed to catch him yet.

Mrs Rockingham said that Pact and the local community were now preparing to put special dog traps out.

She said other animals may still be in the area, with reports of some being seen in and around Intwood and East Carleton, heading towards Keswick.

Pact is now organising posters and search parties.

Mrs Rockingham said: “We desperately need sightings so that we can set up feed stations and possibly humane traps and catch them before they starve to death or are killed on the road, or cause a major traffic incident.

“We also need pledges from volunteers who are willing to help with the search.”

She said the dogs could have been abandoned by anyone, whether an owner who found the number of animals they owned overwhelming, a breeder, travellers who had now moved on or someone who had stolen them and found they did not fit requirements.

Pact was alerted initially to the animals' plight by Joanna Eglen, who runs Little Hen Rescue, in Newton Flotman.

South Norfolk Council took in the three dogs which were captured before transferring them to Meadowgreen sanctuary where they were given veterinary treatment and care before attempts to rehome them.

David Bills, cabinet member for environment, health, recycling and safety, said: “A second report from a member of the public stating there were 'up to 45' stray dogs on land at Rainthorpe Hall was received by us at the weekend.

“We sent officers to the area who found no stray animals, and we also tried unsuccessfully to contact the person who had called us for more information. This was the only report we received on the subject.”

He added: “It is a timely reminder that owning a dog is a commitment and a responsibility - as the saying goes, 'a dog is for life, not just for Christmas'.”

To report any dogs or help with the search please call Pact on 01362 820775 or 01362 821306. The mobile number, 07798 653720, can also be called but messages may not be picked up for several days due to poor signal at the sanctuary.