The DSPCA are housing and caring for 12 greyhounds which were seized by the Revenue Customs Service in Dublin Port over the weekend.
The dogs were being transported in a Spanish registered vehicle in cramped conditions with cages stacked on top of each other or piled with other boxed goods.
They were being transported two dogs to a cage and three of the cages were not accessible without unloading the rest of the vehicle.
Ten of the greyhounds were wearing muzzles.
They had no access to food or water and it is estimated that they would have been in transit for over 24 hours before arriving at their Spanish destination.
Following examination by DSPCA Veterinary Staff several of the dogs were found to have minor injuries and elevated body temperatures and all of the dogs were showing signs of dehydration.
Paperwork accompanying the dogs show that all dogs are registered with the Irish Greyhound Stud Book and originate from dog trainers in Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Wexford.
Records also show that nine of the 12 dogs have raced in the last month, one raced last in 2016 and two have no race records recorded.
The DSPCA said it was appalled by the barbaric treatment of these animals despite the revelations seen in RTE’s Primetime program “Greyhounds Running for their Lives” and the assurances given by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) since the programme that measures were being taken to address animal welfare issues in their industry.
A spokesman for the Irish Greyhound Board said its welfare department had begun a full investigation into the incident.
He added: " The IGB condemns any mistreatment of greyhounds in the highest possible terms.
"Any person or persons found to have been in breach of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 have been and will continue to be subject to prosecution."
