Pet dog’s throat slashed in ‘senseless act of abuse’
The horrific attack on Sylvia McCarthy’s five-year-old Jack Russell, Marvin, in Cork at the weekend, prompted calls last night from animal welfare groups for tougher custodial sentences for those convicted of such barbaric animal cruelty.
Ms McCarthy, from Mayfield, said she and her children, Chelsea, 19, Zack, 13, Abby, 12 and Keeley, 7, are devastated.
“I won’t rest until we find out who did this to Marvin and they are brought to justice,” she said.
“He was such a placid, friendly dog. He was part of the family. The children are very upset. Abby especially idolised him, and he loved her. We’ll never get over this. How could anyone do something like this?”
The story about Marvin the dog is actually so sickening, how someone can do that to a defenceless animal, a family pet! #JusticeForMarvin
— Sorcha Ni Dhuinn (@RebelSD) August 17, 2015
Marvin died from extensive injuries after his throat was sliced open and an attempt was made to cut off one of his hind legs in the Mayfield area on the city’s northside around lunchtime on Saturday.
The dog was found by local children dumped in a ditch in Ballinderry Park just before 1pm. He was bleeding profusely and struggling to breathe.
The children recognised him and called to Ms McCarthy’s house to alert her.
Neighbours tried to make the dog as comfortable as they could, but were afraid to move him given the extent of his neck injuries.
Gardaí were called and they brought him to a veterinary surgeon in Blackpool but despite their best efforts, the dog died just before 10pm.
“They did everything they could to help him but his injuries were just so bad, he died of shock,” Sylvia said.
The Lord of Mayor of Cork, Cllr Chris O’Leary, has now offered a €200 reward for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack.
REWARD - Lord Mayor @chrisjoleary donates €200 reward to find Marvin's killers. Currently at €5,000. neil@redfm.ie if you have information.
— Neil Prendeville (@NeilRedFM) August 17, 2015
He branded it a “senseless act of abuse on a poor pet”, and described those responsible as “sick and mindless”, and said: “I hope they rot in hell for doing such an evil thing.”
The fund swelled to €5,000 after listeners to The Neil Prendeville Show on RedFM rowed in behind him.
Cork Dog Action Welfare Group said they have been in contact with gardaí who are investigating, and they urged people to come forward.
“Animal abuse needs to be seen and treated as a criminal act, with custodial sentences handed down by the courts,” a spokesperson said.
She urged people to channel their outrage by emailing their TDs and asking them to ensure Marvin didn’t die in vain.
