We have a long way to go before we measure up to Gandhi’s idea of a moral nation

SHARON BLACK’S article (Irish Examiner Weekend, April l4) referred to the changing role of the dog in Ireland.

She seems to think we have now become a nation of animal lovers and that dogs are well looked after in our affluent, educated society.

Not so. While many people are caring pet owners and ensure their dogs have good homes, the statistics, sadly, reveal an entirely different story.

Last year figures from the Department of the Environment indicated that over 16,500 healthy dogs were put down. That of course does not include the DIY jobs — dogs drowned, tied up and left to starve in remote areas, and dumped on the side of the road. People involved in animal rescue estimate the real numbers to be well in excess of 25,000.

Compare that to our UK neighbours who, with a population in excess of 60 million, put down approximately 8,000 dogs annually. Ireland has the unenviable reputation of the being the ‘puppy capital of Europe’.

Throughout the country thousands of dogs are kept in appalling conditions, never seeing daylight or enjoying a run in the grass, but bred and bred continuously until they are of no further use and then dumped.

Environment Minister Dick Roche last year agreed to introduce legalisation to regulate this industry, but he continues to procrastinate.

One can only assume that as animals don’t vote, they don’t count. Ireland is one of the few EU countries that has not signed or ratified the European convention for the protection of domestic animals.

If you remain sceptical about the abuse of dogs in this country, log on to www.anvilireland.ie where you will find the statistics and the stories.

Anvil was set up by concerned individuals who aim, through the legislative process, to improve the lot of Irish animals.

There is also an online petition on this website requesting the Government to take responsibility for animal welfare. As an Irish person I am ashamed to read the comments on the petition from our European neighbours on how our attitude to animals is perceived there.

As Gandhi famously said: “A nation’s moral progress can be judged on how it treats its animals”.

While Ms Black’s article would have us believe we have progressed on this moral scale, the reality for so many abused and abandoned dogs in this country would indicate we have a long way to go.

Margaret Twohig

Ballycureen

Glounthaune

Co Cork