THIRTY DOGS and other animals have been taken into the care of the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after being found in "rat-infested and appalling conditions" on a disused farm that was also being used as an illegal drugs-processing plant.
Animal skulls were found at the site in west Dublin and gardaí are investigating possible links to organised dog fighting. The animals were locked into pens when found.
The DSPCA said many of the dogs were either puppies or pregnant adults. They were being held in conditions so poor that they will now be isolated from other animals and monitored for diseases.
Gardaí assisting the operation seized machinery associated with the processing of illicit drugs as well as quantities of cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. An air pistol and ball bearings have also been found at the premises in Mount Seskin, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
The joint Garda-DSPCA search operation was put into place on a disused farm in a rural area between Tallaght and Brittas when the animal welfare group received a tip-off that animals were being mistreated at the site.
The association requested the assistance of gardaí to enter and search the property without the owner's permission. Some 30 dogs, five rabbits, two cats and two pigs were found living in what the DSPCA described as "horrific conditions". Orla Aungier, of the society, was at the search on Monday and confirmed that a number of animal skulls had been found.
"The outhouses were completely rat-infested - rat carcasses on the ground and in some of the kennels - and the stench of urine and faeces was overpowering," she said. "The shelter was inadequate, the roof was leaking, inappropriate bedding and kennels ."
Among the 30 dogs taken away were pups and fully-grown English bull terriers and German shepherds, a variety of greyhound and terrier animals as well as an American bulldog and a Doberman.
The animals are now being cared for at the association's sanctuary in Rathfarnham.
Ms Aungier was not surprised drugs had been found on the premises. She pointed out that animal cruelty cases were often linked to drug use and production.
No arrests have yet been made but the Garda's investigations are continuing.