'Lucky' pup survives alleged bashing of litter in NSW Hunter region

The sole surviving puppy of a vicious alleged attack on a litter of 11 Bull Terriers in the Hunter region is now recovering in the care of RSPCA veterinary nurses.

Named "Lucky", the female pup has bleeding around her eyes and had evidence of head trauma when she was rescued by an RSPCA inspector yesterday.

Lucky was the only survivor of a number of puppies allegedly bashed with a rock in bushland at McLeods Road, Kurri Kurri on Wednesday afternoon.

A 25-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty offences after a witness saw him allegedly hitting puppies over the head with a rock and throwing them into the bush. He allegedly fled the scene with five of the puppies still alive.

The accused man is said to have received the dogs free of charge from a man who had unsuccessfully attempted to sell them online a week earlier.

The RSPCA were contacted and attended the location, before taking the attacked puppies to a vet, however Lucky was the only dog to survive.

RSCPA veterinary surgeon Julian Suchowersky said it was among the worst trauma he had seen on a litter of puppies so large but that Lucky was recovering well.

"Originally this morning she was quite scared and quite dull but we've offered her some food and she's definitely perked up a bit," Dr Suchowersky said.

"She's in good hands at the moment and her spirits have definitely raised this morning. She's barking a little bit and being a bit more like a puppy."

He said the RSPCA inspector who found Lucky and the nurses who had treated her were disturbed by the alleged abuse.

"I know speaking personally, and speaking for the nurses who have been helping me with this case through the day, we've all been quite affected by it."

The man has been refused bail and was due to appear before Maitland Local Court today.