THE ISPCA is appealing to the equestrian community for kind homes for six lurcher puppies, found by Gardaí and the ISPCA, along with their mother who was chained to a gate in Roscommon on the side of the road near Elphin.

The mother and her puppies are making progress at the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford and the pups will be looking for new homes in the new year.

ISPCA centre manager Hugh O’Toole said: “Leaving a young dog only two years old tied up without water, food or shelter most definitely put her along with her young puppies’ lives at risk. We are urging pet owners to spay or neuter their pets as early as possible to reduce the high number of unwanted animals. I don’t understand how anyone can think it is okay to leave a dog tied to a gate to nurse her puppies.”

More information can be found at www.ispca.ie.