"Some of the puppies are very young and will be in care for many weeks and won’t be available for rehoming for some time."
62 dogs and puppies have been seized at an illegal breeding establishment in Offaly following a joint operation involving the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Offaly County Council.
A total of 44 breeding females and nine male dogs were found on the premises as well as six litters of pups.
The dog breeding establishment was operating without a licence and also fell far short of the required standards set out by the Dog Breeding Establishments Act (DBEA).
The operator was issued a closure order and the animals were taken into the care of Offaly County Council and the ISPCA where they are being fully assessed.
“The dogs are receiving ongoing assessment and care. Some of the puppies are very young and will be in care for many weeks and won’t be available for rehoming for some time," an ISPCA Spokesperson said.
The ISPCA thanked Offaly County Council for their prompt and determined action in this case and also thanked the source of the information that led to this investigation.
"It is important that the public can have confidence that the Dog Breeding Establishments Act will be robustly enforced and that illegal dog breeding establishment will be dealt with decisively," the ISPCA said in a statement.
The ISPCA is asking members of the public to continue to report animal cruelty, neglect or abuse in confidence to the National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515, email
helpline@ispca.ie or report online here.
