Customs discovers puppy smuggling on A1: animal shelter for rescued animals

Customs discovers puppy smuggling on A1: animal shelter for rescued animals

At the end of June this year, a check on the A1 in Upper Austria led to an unexpected discovery. Customs officers stopped a Bulgarian minibus and, during a thorough search, discovered a total of six puppies that were being transported in extremely precarious conditions.

Two puppies were originally found, for which the passenger of the vehicle actually presented four pet ID cards. But as it turned out, four other dogs were hiding between pieces of furniture on the bus. The two vehicle occupants - two men from Macedonia aged 24 and 28 - had placed the small animals in boxes that were far too narrow, and in some cases even crammed them together. One of the puppies in particular had been transported in two poorly secured plastic crates, making the situation even more worrying.

Origin and destination of the transport operation

When questioned, the 28-year-old passenger stated that he had received the dogs from a friend in Bulgaria and was taking them to a buyer on the way to Germany. He claimed to have last supplied the puppies with water in Hungary, but it remained unclear where exactly this delivery originated.

The buyer called and explained that he had ordered and purchased the dogs via an official website. Unfortunately, he was unable to provide a specific link or further information about this site, further complicating the situation. The customs officials, concerned about the welfare of the animals, immediately informed the veterinary service of the Linz-Land district administration.

Measures and further progress

The puppies and the corresponding pet passports were taken from the two men. A security deposit of 3,000 euros was also required to ensure that legal action could be taken against the suspects. This measure is a clear indication that the authorities want to decisively counteract such practices.

The confiscated puppies were handed over to the care of the ICARA animal rescue and are now safe in the Linz animal shelter. There they are lovingly looked after and can recover from the strain of the journey. It remains to be hoped that these young dogs will soon find a home again and can enjoy a better quality of life.

The campaign highlights the importance of controls in the cross-border transport of animals to ensure that such transactions are not only legal but also animal-friendly. An incident like this highlights the importance of taking animal welfare seriously and enforcing appropriate policies. Dealing with animals as living beings requires respect and care, which was unfortunately greatly neglected in this case.