DSPCA Urgently Need Homes after discovery of Puppy Farm in Wicklow.

Jun 22, 2007

On Weds 20^th JuneÂ the Wicklow and Dublin SPCA were involved in the rescue and removal of over 76 dogs and puppies, a number cats and chickens from a puppy farm in South Wicklow.Acting on a tip-off from a member of the public, staff from the Wicklow SPCA based in Sharpeshill Animal Sanctuary, in Rathdrum visited the premises in South Wicklow and were sickened and appalled by what they had found. They removed over 76 dogs and puppies from absolutely appalling conditions.

The dogs were being kept dreadful conditions, ill and unkempt and filthy in their own faeces, held in wire crates or makeshift kennels in cold, damp farm outbuildings, some held inside in dark, wooden crates, barrels and even abandoned cars. The dogs, mostly Yorkshire terriers and crosses were in a very distressed state. There were 4 females with litters, one such litter of newborn babies were almost missed as they had been hidden in a foul, dark outbuilding that could only be accessed by crawling in a small hole in the wall. Most of the animals did not have access to light, food or clean water.Â

The dogs are suffering from a combination of health problems, flea and lice infestations, mange, cataracts, overgrown and diseased teeth, bone problems, ear infections and mites, overgrown nails, mammary tumours, dietary problems and a host of other problems.

A number of cats and kittens were also removed from the premises; one mother and her young baby were sealed into a water barrel lying on its side. There was faeces and filth in the barrel and no evidence of food.

Ireland is one ofÂ puppy farm capitals. Here, cheap, poor quality purebred dogs are mass-produced by the hundreds in cages, bitches bred and bred successively until they drop.All the animals are currently in the care of the Wicklow and Dublin SPCA and are being cared for and assessed by veterinary teams.

The Dublin SPCA and Wicklow SPCA are urgently looking for permanent homes for many of these animals. If you are interested, please contact Wicklow SPCA at 0404-44783 or Dublin SPCA at 01 â€“4935502

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