Children on drugs torturing animals
Marion Fitzgibbon said the organisation, which covers the city, county and parts of Clare, is forced to pay out over €3,000 each week on veterinary, kennel and care bills for dogs they have rescued.
“We had to pay out €27,500 in October because of the huge number of incidents of animals being terrorised by having bangers tied to their legs.
“Many animals also suffered burn injuries,” said Ms Fitzgibbon.
One very traumatised pony has been moved to a farm after being terrified when bangers were tied to his legs.
She said children as young as eight were involved in inflicting horrendous torture to animals using knives and other implements.
Ms Fitzgibbon said some of these young people were obviously under the influence of drugs.
“Right now we have 26 dogs and bitches and 11 pups for which we are trying to find homes.
“We have three people on the ground every day answering calls and collecting animals.
“The dog pound is only open one hour a day and this is totally inadequate,” she said.
Ms Fitzgibbon also warned pet owners to beware of dog kidnap gangs who are targeting valuable breeds for Christmas. “November is the big month for lifting well-bred animals. Some well-bred animals can sell for €300 to €600,” she said.
The theft of dogs, she said, is compounded in this country because there is no requirement to have a licence to breed commercially.
“This has led to the huge number of puppy farms where conditions are appalling,” she said.
Many well-bred bitches end up in these breeding chambers after being stolen.
Up to 10 valuable King Charles Cavalier pups were stolen in Limerick recently.
“People with dogs which are obviously well bred should take care as there are gangs going around on the lookout for well-bred animals as there is always a good market in the lead in to Christmas,” she said.
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