Dead and dying dogs left in horrific conditions

UNITED KINGDOM -- Gardi are preparing a file for the DPP following the discovery of dogs on a North Cork farm living in conditions that a seasoned ISPCA inspector described as being amongst the most "horrific" she had ever encountered.

Inspector Lisa O'Donovan made the grim discovery after receiving a call that a collie dog was tied up in dirty conditions in an outhouse on the farm.

However, even Lisa was shocked at what she found when she arrived at the location.

"The dog in question, a young female border collie, was tethered by a chain and living in filthy conditions in a dark shed," said Lisa.

"She was terrified and tried to hide but the short chain made it impossible for her to move. The dog had been living in her own feces and without water. On gentle examination, all that could be felt was bare bones under her coat."

To her horror, Lisa also discovered three dead collies in the shed in various stages of decomposition, one of which was still chained to a rail.

This prompted her to search another shed, where she found three more emaciated dogs living in their own feces and forced to live next to another dead collie.

"It is horrifying to find animals forced to live like this. Their companion could only have been dead a few days. To think of it dying in the dark, while the other dogs had to look on is just unacceptable," said Lisa.

The four surviving dogs were removed and treated by a local vet.

"The first collie I found weighed in at a mere 5.5 kilos, with the largest weighing just 10 kilos. The vet said they should have weighed between 18-22 kilos. He said that the lightest dog would have died within two-days were it not for my intervention," said Lisa.

She said that the clinical explanation for their condition was starvation and dehydration.

"There can be absolutely no excuse for this. This was a horrendous act of cruelty, and although four of the dogs are now in our care, one cannot help but think of the poor dogs that perished," said Lisa.
The four surviving collies are currently under the care of staff at the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford, where they have begun the long road back to full-health.

The society will shortly begin the process of trying to re-home the dogs with suitable families.

"These dogs are lucky to be alive. They deserve to get a new start to life. We are hopeful that people who have been made aware of their plight will come forward and offer them loving and safe homes," said Lisa.

(Independent - Feb 7, 2013)