The customs officers at Dublin Port made a distressing discovery as they found 13 puppies crammed into tiny cages hidden in a car.
The poor pooches were found in the car without food or water after officers stopped a car during a routine check.
The 13 pups were forced into 2 tiny cages that were hidden behind the driver and passenger seats.
The dogs were then taken to DSPCA where their veterinary team discovered that four of the puppies tested positive for Parvovirus.
All of the pooches are on medication and are being monitored by the team.
A spokesperson for DSPCA said on Facebook: "This Is Heartbreaking - Not a second of thought for the welfare of these puppies, just the joy of the profit to be made by their sale.
"Late on Saturday night, our inspectors were called out to Dublin Port. Custom officers had stopped and searched a car during a routine check and found 13 puppies crammed into 2 separate cages hidden behind the driver and passenger seats.
"The puppies had no access to food or water. The puppies were surrendered over to Customs and the matter is under investigation.
"Our inspectors transported the 13 puppies back to the DSPCA where our veterinary team were awaiting their arrival. 4 of the puppies tested positive for Parvovirus and are being closely monitored.
"All of the puppies are on medication and will remain in our care until they are well enough for adoption and we can not take any applications for them.
"These puppies were possibly on their way to good homes but this does not make it right. The lack of compassion, respect, empathy and duty of care is incredibly disturbing.
"There was not a second of thought for the welfare of these puppies, just the joy of the profit to be made by their sale."
