Hundreds of people in Cork have called for a crackdown on animal cruelty after a severely emaciated dog was rescued in the area at the weekend, writes Kelly O’Brien.
It is the latest in a number of “horrific” cases of animal abuse and neglect that have been discovered in Cork in recent weeks.
The dog, a young whippet, a breed of dog that looks like a small greyhound, was found collapsed on a street in Cork on Saturday.
She has since been taken into care by the Cork Dog Action Welfare Group.
A spokesperson from the organisation said the dog, who has been named Kylie, was very near starving to death when she was rescued and “would not have survived much longer” had she not been found.
Cork DAWG posted stark images of Kylie on its Facebook page in an effort to highlight the cruelty currently taking place in Cork city and county.
To see this post on Facebook, click here.
Hundreds of “shocked”, “sickened” and “heartbroken” users have reacted to the story so far, with many calling for the Government to crack down on those found to be abusing their animals and for increased laws to deal with the problem.
Meanwhile, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has also highlighted a severe case of animal cruelty in Cork.
Last week, inspector Lisa O’Donovan, responding to a call to the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline, visited a premise in the city.
There she found a heavily pregnant Staffordshire bull terrier living in what she described as “hazardous” conditions.
“This heavily pregnant young dog was left to fend for herself in a communal area. This is a clear case of irresponsible ownership with no care for the needs and requirements of a female dog due to whelp,” she said.
“Fortunately, she is currently safe and secure in an environment where she will have her litter under supervision.”
The dog, now named Mia, is currently in veterinary care and will be transferred to the ISPCA in Mallow once she has had her puppies.
Investigations are continuing to trace her owner as she was not microchipped.
A few days before Mia was discovered, Cork DAWG highlighted a further case of animal cruelty, where a wounded and mange-ridden Boston terrier pup was found running in traffic with an open, infected gash on its neck.
Though the shelter had to temporarily close its doors only days before the dog was found, due to an “overwhelming” amount of animals being handed in, staff at the organisation said they could not turn the pup away.
“Why anyone would do this we cannot understand. It feels like we are constantly writing stories of abuse and it never stops,” said a spokesperson.
“Every pound in the country is full, every rescue is massively under pressure, and yet the dogs keep coming.”
Only a few weeks before these two cases, Cork DAWG rescued a springer spaniel puppy with “rotting flesh” from a missing limb and a small terrier that had been almost entirely covered in hot tar.
The dogs, named Belle and Evie, both survived and are now understood to be doing well in their new homes.
Anyone who wishes to donate money to Cork DAWG can do so via www.dogactionwelfaregroup.ie or by texting CDAWG to 50300 to donate €4.
This story first appeared in the Evening Echo newspaper.
