Truly shocking case of animal cruelty

Added: 29-03-2012 07:28:22

A dog has been rescued by Donegal Pet Rescue in a truly shocking case of animal cruelty.

Pictures show the emaciated body of a three-year-old boxer, now named Chance by the organisation. They retrieved the dog after they received a call from a member of the public in the St Johnston – Carrigans area of the county.

It appears he was left to die after he had been left in a house on his own for three weeks after his owner deserted him.

Fostering coordinator for Donegal Pet Rescue, Ryan McAuley told Donegal Now that, “the vets hadn’t seen anything like it before. He is less than half the weight a boxer his age should be.”

Mr McAuley said, “I want to find the person who did this” and see they are convicted.

On their facebook page the organisation said, “It is just so hard to believe that in the year 2012 we are still having cruelty cases in Ireland” and said that it was “one of the most severe cases of animal cruelty” that they have seen in quite a while.

The poor dog was found “lying in his own faeces and had no access to food or fresh water.” He “did not have the energy to even stand up or walk when rescued, all he could do was lift his head and look up through his big sad eyes. Chance had almost given up on life itself.”

The dog’s skin is in a terrible condition with several open and weeping sores and his bones are protruding through his skin. His joints have weakened and he finds it hard to walk. Carers are worried there could be lasting damage to his organs.

Local businessman Brian Curran, owner of LK Pets Letterkenny, has donated six months supply of high protein IAMs dog nuts to help Chance gain weight and help him on to a long recovery.

Donegal Pet Rescue is appealing for information on the dog and his previous owner. You can contact Donegal Pet Rescue on 086 2222006 or Carrigan’s Garda Station on 074 9140113.

By Anna Devine