Almost one hundred puppies have been seized in the UK – after being illegally shipped from Ireland.

They were rescued as part of an operation targeting the trade of dogs between Ireland and England.

The ninety-six puppies have now returned to Ireland and are being cared for by the DSPCA – a number of them are said to be ill.

Brian Gillen is CEO of the DSPCA: “About 10pm last night on the ferry, two vans left Dublin heading for Holyhead.

“Those vans were intercepted at the port at Holyhead.

“This was an intelligence led operation and it is part of operation Delphin which is an attempt to break down the illegal puppy trade between England and Ireland.”