Days after the USPCA revealed the horror of puppy farming in Ireland and their sales route through Belfast, 18 dogs have been seized in an alleged puppy farm.
A number of the dogs are believed to be pregnant.
The breeds included Chihuahuas, Pugs, Bichon Frise and terriers, living in crampt conditions in a shed, with dogs living in stacked kennels one on top of the other.
Earlier this week we revealed how the USPCA believes illegal puppy farming could be pocketing criminal cartels in Ireland around £280 MILLION a year.
Back yard puppy farms, abandoned sheds, farm buildings and make-shift kennels are the target for animal welfare investigators working to save dogs from cruelty, over breeding and neglect, and stop the public buying puppies in poor health.
On Friday morning, Clonmel Gardaí and detectives from Clonmel Garda Station along with ISPCA Inspectors seized 18 dogs and 3 cats during a planned operation within the district.
A spokesperson for the Garda said: "This planned operation was aimed at targeting serious breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013 and all these animals have now been taken into the proper care of the ISPCA.
"Breeds include Chihuahuas, Pugs, Bichon Frise and Terriers some of which appear to be in pup. The seizure was made shortly after 11am and one male was arrested by Gardaí at the scene for obstructing the search."
