Two puppies found abandoned in a bog are being nursed back to health, as an animal charity says it has received more than 400 surrender requests for dogs since Christmas Day.
Dogs Trust Ireland said cases of abandonment are also being seen more frequently.
Two emaciated Pitbull crossbreed puppies were handed over to the charity after they were found dumped at a bog in Donadea, Co Kildare, by a member of the public.
Dogs Trust Ireland Assistant Manager Sandra Ruddell said: "The sight of these two, defenceless little pups with their bones protruding broke my heart.
"We know there is very little rescue space available at the moment by the sheer volume of dogs we are being asked to take in, but we are begging people not to abandon their dogs, especially young puppies who have very little chance of survival if not discovered quickly."
The charity has received 412 requests from people seeking to surrender their dogs so far this year.
Last year, it received 3,968 such requests - with owners not having enough time, accommodation issues and behaviours among the most cited reasons.
The charity found homes for 1,042 dogs last year, but has expressed concern that 2024 will bring more challenges as its resources are "stretched to the limit".
