Customs officials made a distressing discovery after finding a "frightened and underweight" puppy in the back of a van at Dublin Port.
The four-month-old pooch, named Abe, was being transported in an unsafe manner when he was found on Friday evening.
Thankfully, the puppy was transferred to the DSPCA where he's being looked after.
A spokesperson for the charity said: "Little Abe was checked over by our vet team and as you can see he was underweight and very frightened.
"He was so good with the vets and was happy for them to handle him, vaccinate him and cuddle him. He was very hungry and enjoyed a tasty meal before he went out to his new home.
"Abe is just 4 months old and thanks to our continued work with Custom Officers at Dublin Port he is going to have a wonderful life and no doubt Santa will visit him in his new home.
"We would like to express our sincere thanks to Customs Officers at Dublin Port for their continued vigilance and disruption of the illegal movement on puppies. Investigations are ongoing."
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