Litter of 12 puppies dumped in County Carlow woodlands, 1 survives

The ISPCA have released information about a litter of 12 puppies being dumped and left to die in County Carlow woodlands.

The lone survivor was named Arya, the ISPCA say in their statement that "Like the character in Game of Thrones after whom she was named, Arya is a fighter."

Read Next: PICTURES: Beautiful family home in Carlow full of modern style for €545,000

Arya was rescued after ISPCA Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon was altered to an alleged sighting of a number of dead puppies in Carrigpark, Garyhill in County Carlow, last month on the 8th of April 2025.

When the inspector discovered the litter of puppies in "very remote and overgrown woodlands" she scrambled down the bank to be met by whimpering from one of the puppies.

She then rushed the one puppy to Barrowvale veterinary practice in Bagenalstown, where the vet provided the puppy with round-the-clock care, even taking her home overnight for monitoring.

Once she was well enough to travel has been hand-reared in ISPCA's centre in County Wicklow.

The inspector who found the puppies, Fiona Conlon said:

"It was a shocking sight to witness and not only was it illegal, but it was heartless, cowardly and inhumane, to abandon defenceless newborn puppies who had no hope of survival. We are concerned for the dog who gave birth, she will be grieving her puppies and likely suffering from mastitis.

It was bitter-sweet that we were able to save one puppy from a horrendous fate, but its heart-warming to see this little survivor doing so well in ISPCA care. Once she is a little older, we will be seeking a new responsible home for her, where she will be loved and cared for."

Fiona added: "Huge thanks to the kind-hearted member of the public who discovered the puppies and reached out for help. If anyone has any information in relation to the origin of these puppies, please contact the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline in confidence on 0818 515 515 or email helpline@ispca.ie"