TWO FOXHOUNDS AND five cocker spaniels have been rescued and are now in the care of the ISPCA, after they were smuggled from Ireland to Wales in the boot of a car.
The puppies were found in two crates that came off the Rosslare to Fishguard ferry last Thursday at 1.30am.
The foxhounds were around 10 weeks old, while the cocker spaniels were just eight weeks. Authorities had serious welfare concerns about the puppies, and they were seized and signed over to the RSPCA.
The seven dogs were fed and watered by the RSPCA overnight and, after a quick trip to the vet, it was confirmed that they were fit to travel back to Ireland.
ISCPA chief inspector Conor Dowling said: “This incident again shows how some people are willing to disregard the welfare of defenceless animals and break the law purely to make a quick buck. Thankfully, on this occasion, multi-agency cooperation meant that they were stopped.”
The RSPCA, meanwhile, said that thousands of people in the UK purchase puppies that have been imported in shocking conditions such as these, “handing huge profits to unscrupulous traders”.
The puppies were then escorted back on the ferry by an RSPCA inspector who handed them over to Irish authorities.
ISPCA centre manager Eva Ellis said: “Nearly all of them are infested with lice and have a heavy worm burden. They were also filthy and needed to be bathed and treated for worms, fleas, mites and lice.
They are not currently available for rehoming but will be added to the rehoming page on the ISPCA website when they are ready for adoption.
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