THE ISPCA has rescued a pair of puppies who were found under a pile of rubbish in Co. Longford when their cries were heard by a passer-by.
A member of the public alerted the animal charity to the location of the dogs in Gurteen, Ballymahon, after hearing the cries of what was thought to be a single puppy.
An ISCPA staff member collected a Collie-Terrier type pup and took it to the nearby National Animal Centre for immediate veterinary assessment.
Later, the same passer-by heard more crying during a search of the area and found two other puppies.
One was alive but sadly a third puppy had already passed away, possibly due to drowning in the nearby River Inny.
The two surviving puppies were named Shannon and Saorise by ISPCA staff, who believe the six-week-old canines could have been there "for some time".
They have been placed in warm beds under a heat lamp and are being monitored closely as they recuperate, said Hugh O'Toole of the ISPCA.
Mr O'Toole added: "I find it difficult to understand why anyone could do such a thing to these three defenceless little puppies when there are options out there for people."
Anyone with information is asked to call the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515, report online here or contact Longford Garda Station
