The handsome hound was only a few weeks old when he was trafficked into the UK with 95 other puppies in the countdown to the Christmas rush for cute dogs.

Luckily, RSPCA Cymru swooped on two vehicles carrying consignments of basset hounds, labradoodles, Pomeranians as well as beagles as they arrived at Holyhead from Ireland.

Most of the puppies were aged between six and seven weeks old and had been shipped across the Irish Sea in shocking and filthy conditions. The vehicles were not ventilated, there was not adequate food or water and attempts had been made to hide many of the puppies behind bales of wood shavings.

After the puppies were seen by vets, they were sent back to Ireland to be re-homed by the Dublin SPCA.

A year on and Hugo has not only blossomed into a devoted pet for Irish international boxer Moira McElligott, he has also become the poster pup for an interactive report reminding potential dog owners of the shocking realities of the illegal and grim trade fuelled by impulse buying.

Claire Lawson, RSPCA Cymru assistant director of external relations, said: “This important new interactive report acts as a timely reminder to the shocking realities of the grim, horrifying illegal puppy market.

“As we approach the Christmas season, temptation can sometimes lead people to add a cute, young puppy to their household that, in the longer-term, they simply don't want anymore.

"These impulse buys are often not well-researched, and can unwittingly fuel the illegal puppy trade. Pups aren't presents – they're a long-term commitment.

“If the RSPCA and other agencies hadn't stepped in, Hugo would have been sold to unsuspecting new owners who, inadvertently, would be funding this cruel, murky underground trade, and paving the way for more pups to face miserable long journeys and conditions.

“To find 96 puppies being carted into the country like this on just one night demonstrates the potential vast scale of this illegal puppy trade. While agencies do what they can to catch traffickers in their tracks, the best way to end this vile trade is for the public to better understand where puppies may have stemmed from, and to not fuel the profits of such unscrupulous traders who have no regard for animal welfare.

“It's vital anyone looking to buy a puppy does their research, or, better still, considers one of the thousands of rescue dogs who each year is searching for a second chance of forever home happiness.”

Last year’s puppy seizure operation was testament to the RSPCA working closely with Border Force, Isle of Anglesey County Council, the DSPCA, ISPCA, veterinary surgeons, the Police, HMRC, the Welsh Government, Animal and Plant Health Agency.

All but one of the puppies survived their ordeal, while Angelesey Council later prosecuted a man who had sought to smuggle 35 of the dogs into the UK, receiving an 18-week prison sentence suspended for a year.

For Hugo, the ordeal of that cold winter’s night last year is a fading memory as he enjoys life with his new family.

Irish international box Moira was at the European Championships in Bulgaria the night Hugo was rescued and is proud he has become the face of the new report.

She said: “Hugo has had quite some year and his powerful story is now at the forefront of such an important campaign.

“While boxing for the Irish team at the European Championships in Bulgaria, I learned about the rescued puppies, and always kept up to date with what was happening with them.

“Hugo was initially adopted by another family, but it didn't work out for him so we initially decided to foster him, and he settled in brilliantly.”

Hugo lives in rural tranquility in County Carlow, sharing a farm life with horses, sheep and lots of cats.

“We're so pleased Hugo instantly became part of the household, holding his own chair in the kitchen, and with much of the family wrapped around his paw,” added Moira 

“Every day my fiancé Will keeps me posted on Hugo's adventures via Snapchat. He means the world to us both, we're so delighted to have adopted him, and that he, along with 95 others, was rescued from such an appalling start to life.”

For more details about the interactive campaign, see: http://politicalanimal.org.uk/puppytrafficking/