Horrified councillors have slammed the allegedly "appalling conditions" at a Dublin pound and called for the council to immediately stop placing dogs there.
Dublin's four local authorities currently pay around €900,000 annually to Ashton Dog Pound, which is under Garda investigation after a number of animals were allegedly improperly administered a lethal drug by untrained staff members.
An emergency motion was brought before Dublin City Council on Monday calling for placements at the pound to be suspended until council chiefs can ensure "no unnecessary suffering" is inflicted on any dog placed there.
The motion was proposed by Councillor Deirdre Heney who claimed the pound is "completely unfit for purpose".
She said: "The conditions at Ashton are completely unacceptable and I am not prepared to stand by and allow the infliction of unnecessary suffering on animals to continue there for one more day.
"We are paying money to Ashton to keep animals in appalling conditions. I am asking the chief executive to ensure that no dog be placed in Ashton from today."
The Clontarf rep said she had spoken to the ISPCA and My Lovely Horse Rescue who agreed to take in dogs from the city as a short term measure until a permanent solution is found.
She added: "I believe if we do not follow this path we are in danger of leaving the council open to possible criminal prosecution under the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
"I am in no way suggesting that staff at Ashton lose their employment. I am clearly asking the chief executive to ensure that no animals be placed there from today."
The motion was passed with DCC Chief Executive Owen Keegan agreeing to hold a meeting with councillors on the issue.
The pound was searched three times by gardai in July after it emerged that two dogs, a Bichon Frise and an Akita, were allegedly given Dolethal, a controlled drug normally only used by trained vets.
The Bichon Frise suffered a suspected overdose and was found dead the next day while it is alleged the Akita was left to suffer horribly for days until it was taken into the care of gardai.
The dogs were due to be euthanised because they were vicious.
Gardai were alerted to the possible mistreatment of the animals and searched the pound, seizing documents and computer equipment.
Four deceased dogs were taken from freezers at the west Dublin facility for autopsy in a follow up search by gardai before they returned to the pound for a third time and took the Akita into their care.
Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture are assisting with the investigation.
A garda spokeswoman told Dublin Live investigations into the case are ongoing.
South Dublin County Councillor Francis Timmons has been inundated with messages from concerned animal lovers about the pound.
The Clondalkin rep wrote to SDCC asking it to review its contract with the pound in light of the current allegations.
In response, the council said: "The Council is aware of the reports, however, as this is the subject of a garda investigation South Dublin County Council cannot make any comment at this time.
"The contract between South Dublin County Council and Ashton Dog Pound expires on 31st December 2020.
"Prior to this expiry date the Council proposes to go to tender for the provision of Pound Services for the South Dublin administrative area. The existing contract continues to be monitored and the pound receives regular unannounced inspections."
Dublin Live has contacted Ashton Dog Pound for comment.
