MORE THAN a dozen dogs have been rescued from cages at Rosslare Europort on their way over to the UK.
A mix of terriers, pugs, spaniels, collies, hounds and Labradors were found in squalid, cramped conditions on a transporter that was due to board a ferry heading to Fishguard in Wales.
17 animals were found in the operation, which involved revenue officers along with members of the gardai, ISPCA, WSPCA and the Dog Warden from Wexford County Council.
The ISPCA suspected none of the animals found had pet passports, as required by law.
All of the dogs rescued have been transferred to the Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Wexford Dog Warden.
Investigations are ongoing.
A garda spokesman said: "Last night in a joint operation involving Revenue Officers, An Garda Síochána, ISPCA, WSPCA and the Dog Warden from Wexford County Council, 17 dogs were seized at Rosslare Europort.
"The dogs were discovered as a result of routine profiling, during a search of an Irish registered transporter booked to board the ferry to Fishguard, Wales.
"All dogs were transferred into the care of WSPCA and the Wexford Dog Warden and follow up investigations are ongoing."
17 dogs were seized last night at #Rosslare #Europort as part of a joint operation involving Customs, An Garda Síochána, ISPCA, affiliated member Wexford SPCA and Wexford County Council Dog Warden Service.
Read more here: https://t.co/ujH81bLE7P#rescueddogs #Fishguard #Wales pic.twitter.com/UzfFn2nhLX— ISPCA (@ISPCA1) May 12, 2020
An ISPCA spokeswoman said: "The dogs, a mix of breeds including Terriers, Pugs, Spaniels, Collies, Hounds and Labradors were initially cared for by the Wexford Dog Warden Service. The ISPCA would like to thank our affiliated member Wexford SPCA and the various agencies involved in last night’s seizure.
"The dogs will be transported to the ISPCA’s National Animal Centre once they have been assessed by a veterinary practitioner.
"ISPCA Inspectors will be liaising with customs officials to investigate the matter and to establish what potential offences may have been committed. None of the dogs will be available for rehoming at the moment.
"This is the second large scale seizure of dogs involving the ISPCA within a week. Last Thursday four puppies, two pregnant dogs and nine other adult dogs were seized by the ISPCA along with two cats and their litters of kittens in a pre-planned operation with Gardaí in the Midlands."
