A LITTER of puppies have been saved from an uncertain fate after they were found abandoned in Dublin.
Members of An Garda Síochána were working with Fingal County Council to help clear harmful waste from an isolated area in Finglas when they made a surprise discovery.
Five tiny black puppies had been left to fend for themselves in a car which had clearly been abandoned as it was covered in litter, straw and food bowls.
The officers acted quickly, removing the dogs from the vehicle and contacting local animal charity the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA).
The dogs are now safe in the care of the DSPCA while Gardaí work to find who left the puppies in the abandoned car.
An Garda Síochána posted the details of the discovery to their Facebook page, along with an image of one of the Gardaí involved holding one of the pups, who will now be guaranteed a life of safety and happiness.
Gardaí attached to Finglas Community Policing and the District Detective Unit conducted an operation in the Finglas area...
Posted by An Garda Síochána on Wednesday, 16 December 2020
The rescue has drawn praise from animal lovers across Ireland and beyond, with one person writing:
"Fair play to the Gardaí, about time we took animal welfare seriously. Too much of this mistreatment happening."
A Garda investigation into how the puppies were left to fend for themselves is ongoing, a spokesperson confirmed.