Smuggled puppies recovered in raid at Cairnryan port

Animal inspectors have seized 27 puppies smuggled from Ireland at a Scottish port.

The Scottish SPCA recovered the animals at Cairnryan as part of Operation Delphin. Various breeds were discovered locked in cages in large wooden containers in the random stop by ports police.

It is estimated they would have been sold for at least £600 each.

An undercover inspector said: “Unfortunately, the puppy trade is big business in Scotland with thousands of dogs being brought into the country each year from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, in particular from large-scale puppy farms.

“They are then sold on at huge profit by the dealers.”

All of the animals were taken back to Ireland, where they are being cared for by the ISPCA while investigations are ongoing.

Dumfries and Galloway Council gave powers to certain SSPCA inspectors which allowed them to enforce legislation at the port.

The undercover inspector added: “The illegal trade in puppies is still a major issue.

“The welfare of the breeding bitch and the puppies is compromised due to intensive breeding regimes and causes distress to the families who purchase these puppies.”

27 puppies were seized by animal inspectors at Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway.