Increase in number of dogs being abandoned

There has been a marked increase in the number of abandoned dogs this year according to the ISPCA, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Figures show the amount of dogs removed from unsuitable situations is up 57 per cent since last year.

''There is always some sort of solution rather than this appalling, drastic action,'' said Conor Dowling, ISPCA chief inspector, referring to a recent incident of two Collie pups recovered from a fertiliser bag dumped in a drain in Ballydangan, Co Roscommon.

‘’If somebody hadn’t heard them, they may have never been recovered,’’ he said.

Mr Dowling thinks one reason for the increase in the number of abandoned dogs is because of a lack of neutering.

“There is a reluctance to have dogs neutered,’’ he said.

If the unwanted dogs don’t end up in a pound or recovery centre, large amounts are exported to Britain due to the lack of homes for them.

The two abandoned collies, who have been named Thelma and Louise, are still with ISPCA who are looking for a new home for them.

You can support the ISPCA by texting the word “dog” to 50300 and donating €2.