It has been reported that customs officers along with the Gardaí have discovered 18 puppies in a distressed state in a car boot at Dublin Port yesterday.
According to Brian Gillen of the DSPCA, the dogs were discovered during a routine check at the port yesterday afternoon. It is believed the pups where found in poor health involved as they were being transported in a car with very poor ventilation.
Mr Gillen told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland: “Three are quite poorly, one is on a drip and fighting for his life.” “All 18 puppies are valuable, designer breeds such as Shih Tzus and Pomeranians.” “They are worth more in the UK than here.” Mr Gillen added: “It’s all about the money. Ireland is the puppy farm capital of the Europe in terms of the number of pups we export to the UK.”
It is believed that in the past year over 7,000 puppies have been illegally exported to the UK for future sales.