An animal welfare charity has urged people never to buy dogs online after 13 puppies were found ‘crammed into two cages’ in a car at Dublin Port.

The dogs were discovered by customs officers on Saturday night.

The DSPCA said all 13 were crammed into two cages in the footwell area behind the front seats of the car.

They had no access to water or food and had been travelling for around two hours before they were discovered.

Puppies found crammed into cages at Dublin Port. Image: DSPCA

DSPCA vets found that all of the puppies were dehydrated and four of them were carrying the highly contagious parvovirus.

One of them has since died.

“We are monitoring the rest of puppies closely as Parvovirus is highly contagious and life threatening,” the DSPCA said in a statement.

“All of the puppies are on medication and will remain under DSPCA veterinary care until they are well enough to leave the shelter to go to foster homes.”

A DSPCA vet with one of the rescued puppies. Image: DSPCA

The charity said the car owners had “not a second thought” for their welfare and were only thinking of, “the joy of the profit to be made by their sale.”

“We all have a part to play in trying to stop this from happening again and again,” said the charity.

“Please encourage all your friends and family and share this post as this cannot stop without your help. Never buy online. Always adopt.”

A customs investigation into the seizure is ongoing.