The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) rescued 50 puppies who were on their way to the UK from Irish puppy farms.
According to The Irish Times, the puppies were discovered by officers in a car on the old Malahide Road in the Coolock area of Dublin yesterday.
The mistreated pups were suffering from a number of ailments including mange, ear mites, fleas, eye infections and parasitic infections and the dogs had their tails docked and their den claws removed.
Sadly, many of the pups are receiving special care after being taken away from their mothers too early and unsurprisingly none of the pups were microchipped making it difficult for the organisation and the Gardaí to trace the original owners who breed and sell dogs illegally.
The two men driving the vehicle were arrested at the scene.
The puppies were a mixture of Labradors, Jack Russells and spaniels
Speaking to The Irish Times, Gillian Bird, DSPCA’s head of education and public relations said: “We are not seeing huge amounts of it, but it is something that is always there, especially when it is coming up to Christmas and people want to give puppies as presents.”
The mistreated puppies are a mixture of breeds including spaniels, labradors and Jack Russell terriers will not be rehomed until the DSPCA completes their investigation but are being treated for their illnesses.
DSPCA chief executive Brian Gillen advised people to be cautious about where they purchase their pups.
“With so many online sources of pups these days the public need to be vigilant,” he said.
“Do not buy from the boot of a car or a van, and always arrange to meet the puppy with its parents at the breeder’s home – the conditions the mother is living in is a good indication of the health and welfare of the animals,” he said.
Her.ie is glad that the pups have been rescued and we hope that they will find happy and healthy homes soon enough.
