GARDAI RESPONDING to reports of “unusual activity” at a property in Swords, Co Dublin have discovered 32 dogs they suspect of being stolen.
The dogs were found in the Stockhole, Cloghran area of the city.
Officers from Swords and Malahide gardai discovered the canines while executing a Section 48 search warrant.
They were aided by two dog wardens, who joined them during the search.
A total of 32 dogs were discovered at the property, including three Chihuahuas, four Pugs, a Jack Russell and 24 Dachshunds.
According to the dog wardens involved in the case, the dogs carry an estimated monetary value of over €120,000 on the black market.
Gardai have since confirmed that all the rescued dogs have been removed to the nearby Ashtown Pound.
They are currently being cared for there while staff attempt to track down the owners of each canine using embedded microchip technology.
Further enquiries into the circumstances surrounding their captivity are also due to be carried out.
The discovery is just the latest in a growing number of criminal cases involving the theft of dogs in Ireland.
Over the past few months, an alarming number of dogs have been stolen from their owners, often with a view to being sold on at a marked up price.
