Experts say soaring numbers of animals are abandoned in the weeks leading up to December 25 as owners struggle to care for pets amid festive preparatations.

Poor weather and money problems have also been blamed by animal charities.

The Dogs Trust, Britain’s biggest dog welfare charity famous for its “A dog is for life, not for Christmas” slogan, says pets are dumped for eating the dinner in advance and destroying presents.

Staff at its Glasgow rehoming centre report a 40 per cent rise in dogs brought during the festive season.

They include three dalmatians - since named Jingle, Belle and Oreo - found wandering the streets.

Claire Cairney, assistant centre manager, said: “We had a dog come in for eating the turkey the day before Christmas, and for destroying presents.

“At Christmas time you have different things to think about - money, time constraints, and possibly having a dog just starts to fall lower down your list of priorities.

“Then it becomes more likely that you are looking for somewhere to take your dog or put them out on the streets.”

Charities spread from Drumfriesshire to Perthshire have also reported a surge in abandoned animals.

Joanna High, of PADS in Forteviot, said: “Despite the stereotype of dogs being abandoned after Christmas, it’s more of a problem beforehand.

“We’ve seen an increase in dogs and requests to take dogs this year, as well as requests coming from far outside our area - something that we haven’t noticed before.”

Meanwhile, heartless racketeers are stooping to sickening levels of cruelty to smuggle dogs into the country to meet the Christmas rush.

Officers at the Scottish SPCA say the illegal trade shows no signs of abating.