GNR police have arrested a 70-year-old man suspected of throwing five newborn puppies into a well and covering it with a stone.
The horrific story comes from the northern Portuguese town of Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo, where police were tipped off to strange noises coming from a covered well on Sunday, November 9.
When officers arrived at the scene, they lifted the stone covering the well and confirmed the noises were coming from inside. One of the officers descended into the well using a ladder to retrieve the animals. Four of the puppies were inside a plastic bag, while a fifth was found nearby. Another puppy as well as the mother of the six were also rescued, the military police force added.
Following the operation, GNR identified and detained the 70-year-old man, who has been named an official suspect (‘arguido’).
The rescued animals were transported by the Ponte de Lima Volunteer Firefighters to a veterinary clinic, where they received medical evaluation and care. They are now under the care of local association Alaar – Associação Limiana para o Ambiente e Animais de Rua.
