A third puppy seized by officials at Belfast Port in December, has died. The Golden Retriever was one of 29 pups removed from a transporter destined for GB, when he was pulled over after port staff noticed discrepancies in paperwork.
The third pup to pass away had been in the care of Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary at the time of his death, and had along with two other pups, has needed urgent veterinary care.
On January 2, two Golden Retriever pups taken from the same transporter, died of Parvo while in the care of the Almost Home Animal Sanctuary in Moira. Called George and Ginny, they along with all the pups, had been vaccinated, given medical care and lavished with attention but they showed signs of Parvo from Christmas Eve and died within a week.
Read more: Dumped and dying 9-week-old pup triggers calls for NI animal welfare law change
Of the 29 Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and mixed breeds pups seized on December 15 last year, 26 survived and many have already been rehomed in Northern Ireland.
But just as the puppies were being matched to dedicated homes, the team at the Mid Antrim animal Sanctuary took in another five Retriever puppies.
A spokesperson for the charity said: "Will it ever stop? While some of our babies seized from the port are loving life with their new families, sadly last week seen yet another five golden retriever pups join us. All in strict isolation, Parvo tests were negative. They will have another round of Parvo tests tomorrow and if clear we will start thinking about homes."
Alliance Party's Kellie Armstrong praised the work of the rescue charities who helped the puppies and these dogs were "killed by a puppy farm’s lack of care".
Ms Armstrong who sits on the All Party Group on Animal Welfare, said: "These puppies had no chance. Breeders see them as products and do nothing to protect their health. By not vaccinating these pups, the illegal puppy farm risked their lives and the spread of disease to other dogs.
"These poor puppies died of the devastatingly contagious parvovirus. My heart breaks for the staff and volunteers at the rescue centres who took them in and cared for them."
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