Five newborn puppies were dumped in a wheelie bin to die as their frantic mother tried in vain to rescue them.
The dog was seen early today howling and scratching at the sides of the rubbish container trapping her Springer-Labrador crossbreeds.
Police have launched a cruelty investigation following the shocking discovery in Strabane, Co Tyrone.
A dog warden who joined officers at the scene told of his horror at what they found.
Mark Hegarty said: "I'm completely disgusted by this.
"It's one of the worst things I have had to deal with in the four years I have been employed at Strabane District Council's Dog Warden."
Officers were called out to Castlegrange Park in the town at around 1am today.
Two of the litter, believed to be only days old, were already dead. The other three died later.
Police confirmed they were investigating a case of animal cruelty.
They urged anyone with information about how the dogs ended up in the bin to officers in Strabane or the dog warden.
The case came after a cat's leg had to be amputated after it was shot by thugs in Co Antrim.
The animal underwent surgery to remove its back leg shattered in the attack at Islandmagee on Wednesday night.
David Wilson of the USPCA described it as a callous act, possibly carried out by youths.