Gardai at the scene in Ferns. Pic: Christy Farrell

There were amazing scenes outside a rural dwelling near Ferns as a convoy of white wagons were packed to capacity with upwards of 250 dogs, many emaciated and in poor condition, loaded up and taken away, many of them at the point of seath.

A considerable number of the dogs, believed to be about 150 in number, had to be put to sleep on humane grounds after consultations with animal welfare inspectors and vets.

A community was left reeling with the shock that animal welfare could be neglected to such a deplorable situation that almost a whole colony of animals could be wiped out.

The dogs, of mixed cross-breeds including Poms, Terriers, Collies and others, were found at a location by the side of a public road in the townland of Newtown, about a mile from Ferns village.

A rescue operation was implemented involving Wexford County Council staff, the Wexford branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, personnel from the North Wexford branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and An Garda Siochána.

At the scene, personnel involved, found that the dogs were unused to handling, many were very old with multiple illnesses and conditions, and this may have been the result of uncontrolled breeding over a considerable period of time.

Full story this week in The Echo Group of Newspapers.