Ireland

Twenty seven (cute) dogs rescued and returned to Ireland for adoption

Dogs found in back of a van in Cairnryan ferry port

Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
Fri May 04 2018 - 14:01

Twenty seven dogs have been rescued and returned to Ireland after they were found in a van in Scotland.

The Irish Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCC) said they puppies were intercepted in Cairnryan ferry port.

“The dogs and puppies which include Chihuahua x, Spaniel x and Collie type puppies of various ages are believed to have originated from the Republic of Ireland,” the group said in a statement.

One of the dogs rescued and brought back to Ireland from Scotland
One of the dogs rescued and brought back to Ireland from Scotland
One of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
One of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.

It said the dogs were not microchipped, which is now a legal requirement and were not accompanied by pet passports, required for the commercial movement of dogs to the UK from the Republic.

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The puppies were seized by Police Scotland who contacted the Scottish SPCA. Arrangements were then made for the dogs to be given to the ISPCA.

"The manner in which these puppies were concealed illustrates the lengths to which these unscrupulous dealers will go in order to make money from unfortunate animals," said ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling.

It is estimated that the dogs may have fetched more than £10,000 on the British market.

Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.
Some of the dogs found in a van in Cairnryan.

The puppies are currently receiving veterinary assessment at the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford. They are not currently available for adoption, but will be in the coming weeks, the ISPCA said.