GARDAÍ HAVE appealed for information after they rescued seven adorable puppies from the back of a car in Kildare.
The seven cocker spaniel puppies were seized over the weekend when Gardaí on patrol noticed two vehicles acting in a suspicious manner in the car park of a service station in County Kildare.
(Images: Kildare Garda Division)The puppies, who were without their mother and are not microchipped, were found in the back of one of the cars caught acting suspiciously in the car park of JUnction 14, Monasterevin.
With a spate of dognappings being reported in every corner of the country, the Gardaí on patrol questioned the occupants of the car and the dogs were subsequently seized.
As the adorable pups were not microchipped, it will prove more difficult to trace the true owners and Gardaí have appealed for anyone with information regarding lost or stolen dogs fitting their description to come forward.
The puppies have been taken into the care of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) where they will remain until either their owner or new forever homes can be found.
Gardaí have confirmed they have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the seizure of the dogs.
Ireland has been hit hard by dog thefts in recent months, with some high-profile ones including a child with autism in County Limerick having his 'support dog' stolen from him, and an elderly man begging for the return of his 'best friend' Brandy, who was stolen from his home in Meath.
There have been some happy endings however-- Brandy was later found and reunited with Mr Garrigan, as was another dog, springer spaniel 'Jake' who was found by Gardaí and reunited with his owner who admitted he had 'lost hope'.
The rise in dognappings has led Gardaí to urge pet owners to be vigilant in keeping an eye on their pets, and to ensure their animals are micropchipped with their contact details.
Popular buy-and-sell website DoneDeal, long a place for people to sell dogs and puppies, have announced they will no longer be allowing the advertising of dogs on their site as long as the thefts continue.
