€1,000 reward for information on dog’s cruel death

A BRITISH animal protection charity is offering a €1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for the cruel death of an 11-year- old family dog, outside Dingle, Co Kerry, last month.

The labrador’s mutilated carcass was discovered by its shocked owner and her 11-year-old son in the driveway of their home.

It is believed the dog, whom the family had previously rescued, was bludgeoned and stabbed to death before being disembowelled.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is now warning that communities should be concerned about animal abusers, who could also injure humans.

Research in criminology and psychology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals usually continue if they are not caught, with many going on to harm humans, according to PETA.

Child killers Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, as well as multiple murderers Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton, Fred West, Dennis Nilsen, Ian Brady and Jeffrey Dahmer all started on their violent paths by deliberately harming animals, PETA claimed.

“It is imperative that any community faced with such horrific animal abuse take measures to find the culprit, or culprits, and stop the violence,” said PETA education manager Suzanne Barnard.

“Putting a stop to violent tendencies as soon as they become apparent should be a priority and the responsibility of all of society. After all, the whole of society pays the price when these violent tendencies escalate.”

In addition to offering a reward, PETA has sent humane education materials to schools in Co Kerry, designed to help children of all ages recognise the importance of compassion for all beings.

Anyone with information about the dog killing can contact Dingle Garda Station on 066-9151522.