Gardai save dogs from a ‘canine fight club’
One of the maltreated dogs discovered yesterday after gardai raided a premises in Tallaght in Dublin. The Dublin SPCA has issued an appeal for help to the public following the discovery.
GARDAI are investigating links between drug trafficking and organised dog fighting after rescuing 39 mistreated animals from a premises in south Dublin, writes Tom Brady.
The dogs were found in outhouses, which were part of a Tallaght premises that had been converted into a drugs factory.
Gardai said last night that the find provided the latest evidence of the involvement of drug dealers in organising and gambling on dog fights, as well as ill-treatment of animals.
Some of the animals were also likely to have been used in badger baiting.
Previous inquiries have focused in particular on a Dublin trafficker, currently based in Co Kildare.
Gardai raided the premises after the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was alerted.
During the search gardai rescued 30 puppies and fully grown dogs, including English bull terriers, German Shepherds, an American bulldog and a Doberman, a variety of terriers and greyhounds as well as five rabbits, two cats and two pigs.
A number of animal skulls were also discovered on the premises.
Orla Aungier of the DSPCA said last night that the animals had all been taken to their sanctuary in the Dublin mountains and were being examined by a team of vets.
"Due to the amount of rats on the premises, exposure to Weil's disease is a real threat and each of the animals must be kept in isolation," she added.
"This, coupled with the sheer number of animals needing assistance, has pushed our resources to the limit."
She said that the animals had been kept in the most appalling conditions at the premises in the Mount Seskin area.
Infested
"The outhouses were completely rat infested. Rat carcasses were on the ground and in some of the kennels, and the stench of urine and faeces was overpowering. The shelter was inadequate, the roof was leaking and there was inappropriate bedding and kennels."
She pointed out that animal cruelty was heavily associated with drug dealing and production.
- TOM BRADY
