A LARGE number of dogs, puppies and horses have been seized as part of a Garda investigation tackling illegal puppy farms.
Officers in the Baldoyle area of Dublin seized the animals yesterday as Gardaí undertook planned searches of a number of properties as part of investigations into illegal puppy farms and 'related criminal activity'.
According to a statement from Gardaí, the operation was carried out yesterday, Monday 16 November by the Divisional Crime Task Force DMR North, supported by local Detective and uniformed Gardaí, and assisted by animal rescue charities.
Of the 32 dogs and puppies rescued, six Chihuahuas were found to be pregnant; all of the animals seized, including a number of Jack Russells, Pugs and four horses, are now in the care of local animal rescue agencies.
Images of the animals seized as part of the investigation were posted to An Garda Síochána's official social media pages, and show the rescued dogs being held in cages before being transported into the care of animal charities.
The dogs are estimated to have a potential value of over €150,000, according to a Garda spokesperson.
No arrests have been made at this point in the investigation.