But today, it is claimed, the days-old litter were not swept to their deaths, but were fished out of the river by a 75-year-old grandmother.
The woman claims to have saved the dogs' lives after spotting them struggling to stay afloat at the side of the river as she made her way to a potato field.
However, although the woman posed proudly with the litter, it is not certain that they are the same dogs.
The puppies, pictured here with Ruza Pavlovic, who lives in Bugojno, Bosnia, are brown and black, while the ones thrown into the river appeared to be black and white.
Found? Ruza Pavlovic, a grandmother, claimed she found the puppies which were thrown into a river and is now looking after them
Hungry: The animals feed at the grandmother's home. Police in Bosnia are set to interview a teenage girl in connection with the cruel act
New owner: Ruza Pavlovic claims to have the puppies which sparked international outrage when they were thrown in the river
It is also not clear if puppies as young as those in the YouTube video appeared to be would have been able to stay afloat long enough for Pavlovic to reach them.
Police have tracked down the girl they believe threw the animals into the river and are set to interview her about the horrifying act of animal cruelty.
She - and the person who filmed her - may be the only ones who can confirm if Pavlovic's claims are true.
But the elderly lady believed she had rescued the same puppies whose fate had gripped the world.
Yesterday she said: 'They are healthy and happy. My problem is that they need at least three litres of milk a day and I live only on my small pension, but I do not have the heart to abandon them.'
The mysterious teenager, wearing a hooded top, caused worldwide outrage when she was shown online apparently killing six newborn puppies by throwing them into the river one by one.
The name of the girl has not been published to protect her safety.
The video appears to show a girl throwing live puppies into a fast-flowing river
The teenage girl kneels down to lift what looks like a live puppy from the bucket