At first glance, the man walking along with a dog on-lead and a backpack didn't raise any alarm bells to staff monitoring movements at Essen Station.
But on closer observation, there was something strange about his movements, leading them to make a very surprising discovery.
Hiding something
As they watched the man move around the station, they noticed he kept approaching people, opening his backpack to show them inside.
Suspicions raised, they couldn't believe their eyes when they asked to look inside... and found several little puppies in the bag!
A cruel act
The 43-year-old was trying to sell the puppies, for 250 euros each. The dog he had with him on the lead was their mother.
Police and the Essen animal rescue service were immediately notified, arriving on the scene to intervene.
Rescuers estimated the puppies to be a tiny 4-weeks-old, meaning they were far too young to be separated from their mother.
Unfortunately these may not be the first puppies this man has tried to sell at the station. Essen rescue service has appealed for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if they bought a puppy in this way.
The man has been reported for violating the animal welfare act. Hopefully the puppies will now get the responsible, loving homes they deserve.
