Animal welfare officers save farmed puppies

Two cars containing 36 puppies were thought to be taking the dogs to the UK from Republic of Ireland puppy farms.

Officers from the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) took the puppies, which were boxed, into quarantine and secure accommodation.

Two men were arrested at the scene after suspicions that the dogs had been bred on puppy farms to be trafficked for sale in the UK.

The puppies, which included cocker and spring spaniels, labradors and jack russell terriers, were suffering from a number of conditions.

They have since been treated for mange, ear mites, fleas, eye infections and parasitic infections. Many of the puppies also had their tails docked and dew claws removed, and are being treated for minor infections.

A DSPCA spokesperson said: "They are doing very well today compared to the condition they were found in. Several of the puppies are receiving special care as they were too young to be removed from their mothers."

The puppies will not be available for new homes until DSPCA inspectors have concluded their investigations.