A brutal image of a blind dog has become the focus of an ongoing online debate surrounding the plight of animals living in Irish puppy farms.

The photo of a grey terrier named Ponda was shared by Animal Heaven Animal Rescue’s Facebook page yesterday alongside a caption which claims the dog only escaped her previous owners because she can no longer produce pups.

“After nine years of breeding the only reason she got out was the fact she can’t have pups anymore,” reads the heartwrenching post.  “Tonight she is recovering at our vets after being spayed and both eyes removed.”

The caption suggests Ponda suffered years of pain while being “forced to have pups” to profit her owners and living in “filthy conditions”.

The Kerry-based charity has called for puppy farming to be banned while posing the question: “Will her face be enough to stop people buying designer dogs for Christmas?”

Naturally, the image of the dog’s oozing eyes has caused great upset among the animal-loving community.

Comments on the post range from genuine upset to sheer anger at the lax regulations which allow such abuse to occur.

“I would love five minute with the people who caused this pain to these unfortunate animals,” wrote one impassioned commentator.  “They’re not fit to be called humans.”

“OMG why don’t the guards do something about this?” asked another.  “My heart really is breaking.  Why are these bad heartless people allowed to do this to a sweet puppy who only really wanted to be loved and cared for?”

Last week, 96 designer puppies – including Basset Hounds, Beagles, Yorkies, Cocker Spaniels and Bichon Frise – bound for the UK market were rescued at Dublin Port.

The pups have been placed in foster homes as they are currently too ill to be assigned to permanent owners.