The dog control unit of Louth Area Council said earlier this week that it had seized 18 puppies as part of efforts to tackle illegal puppy farming in the county.
Most of them were Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds, and they have all now had vaccinations, been microchipped, and been legally registered with the local authorities.
The council said they had been in “poor living conditions, with limited access to food and water”.
Garrett Shine, veterinary officer at Louth County Council, said: “Beware of buying a dog online and never meet someone off-site. Always insist on seeing where the animal has lived.
“All properly registered kennels must be assessed by the local authority, so the public should check the register before getting their dog to ensure that the welfare of the animals in that facility is up to standard. Every puppy over eight weeks old must be microchipped by law, so make sure you check the database for your animal’s information.
“As always, our advice to the public is to check the pound first, as there are always dogs looking for new homes,” he said.