Gardaí and inspectors from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals removed 110 dachshunds from a puppy farm in North Tipperary yesterday because of poor conditions.
Twenty-one of the dogs were found in dark and cold conditions in an old cottage in boxes, while 17 puppies were found in cages in an old van used specifically for the storage of animals.
More than 70 other dogs were kept in an open yard in pens - some of which were made from wooden pallets and rope.
The discovery came after the ISPCA received complaints about the puppy farm on their national telephone contact line.
Yesterday morning four ISPCA inspectors, accompanied by gardaí, visited the farm and discovered the 110 dogs living in cramped conditions without access to fresh bedding, water or food.
The owner of the farm agreed to let the ISPCA remove the animals from the premises. The animals were then taken into care to a boarding kennel facility at an undisclosed location.
Mr Mark Beazley, the ISPCA inspector leading the investigation and co-ordinating the seizure of the animals, said dachshund pups could fetch as much as €200 each.
"Puppy farming is not illegal, but certain conditions need to be adhered to," he said. Gardaí will be forwarding an ISPCA file about the puppy farm to the Director of Public Prosecutions.