Arya is the lucky one, the sole survivor from a litter of 12 newborn puppies callously dumped and left to die in Co. Carlow woodlands. Like the character in Game of Thrones after whom she was named, Arya is a fighter.
Arya was rescued after ISPCA Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon was alerted to an alleged sighting of several dead puppies in the Carrigpark, Garryhill area in County Carlow, on Tuesday 8th April 2025.
Inspector Conlon made her way through very remote and overgrown woodlands and scrambled down a dangerous bank, where she discovered what appeared to be several deceased puppies, scattered on the ground. But, as Fiona got closer, she could hear distressed whimpering from one of the puppies.
The pup had cuts on her tummy and paws from crawling through the undergrowth, was very cold and barely breathing. Inspector Conlon put Arya under her jumper to warm her up, as she gathered the other eleven puppies and checked to see if they were breathing. Sadly, the others were already deceased. 
Arya was rushed to the nearby Barrowvale veterinary practice in Bagnalstown, where they began urgent veterinary treatment. The surviving puppy, which it was estimated was only two or three days old, received round-the-clock care from the vet, who took her home overnight for monitoring.
Once well enough to travel, Arya was transferred to the ISPCA’s Centre in Wicklow, where she has been hand-reared by devoted animal care assistant Linda and is thriving.
ISPCA Senior Inspector 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 [email protected]”.
The ISPCA is urgently calling on pet owners to please neuter or spay their dogs and puppies as soon as they are of age, to help reduce the dog over population. Talk to your vet today and do what’s right for your pet(s).
If you can, please support the ISPCA by making a life-saving donation today to help rescue more animals from appalling situations just like this one: https://ispca.ie/donations/
