Two men have been arrested as part of an animal cruelty investigation.

Up to 50 puppies were taken into safety following the search of 2 cars on the Old Malahide Road in the Coolock area of Dublin last night.

They included Cocker and Springer Spaniels, Terrier, Beagle, Labrador breeds along with 25 Jack Russells.

Two men were arrested and taken to Coolock Garda Station.

They are aged in their 20s and 30s.

Officers from the The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) have taken the pups into quarantine and safety.

Gardaí say the investigation is on-going.

It is believed the dogs had been brought into the country from the UK and were to be sold on the black market for several thousand Euros.

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