Who could do this to an animal? Outrage and horror after over acid attack on dog

UNITED KINGDOM -- A family dog is expected to be left scarred after corrosive liquid was poured over its back in a horrific attack.

Fergie was left with horrendous burns after he was the subject of an animal cruelty attack sometime on Thursday evening in the Castlewellan Road area of Newcastle.

SDLP councillor Laura Devlin, who knows Fergie's owners, said the local community have been outraged since news of the sickening attack and people have been rallying round the family.

"I am shocked and appalled to hear about the investigation into animal cruelty in Newcastle," she said.

"The little dog, Fergie, received horrendous burns sometime on Thursday evening in Burren Meadow, Castlewellan Road, Newcastle – burns that could potentially have been life-threatening for the animal.

"Since the news of this incident broke the local community have been in uproar and are rallying around the family concerned. This is deeply disturbing and worrying for the whole area, but is in no way reflective of the community. Little Fergie is back at home with his family but likely to be scarred.

"I would appeal to anyone with any information in respect of this very heinous attack to contact local police immediately."

The attack comes after two men set a pet dog on fire in Co Antrim in 2012.

Three-year-old collie Cody had to be put to sleep after she was doused in accelerant and set alight in a quarry near Maghaberry, in a case that caused shockwaves across Northern Ireland.

Alliance Newcastle councillor Patrick Clarke condemned the attack on Fergie.

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He said: "I am totally appalled by the recent case of animal cruelty in Newcastle, when a defenceless dog was subjected to a harmful liquid being poured over the animal resulting in burns to the dog's skin.

"The incident, which happened between 7pm and 9pm on Thursday, September 18, is an absolutely despicable and sickening act and form of animal cruelty which I totally and utterly condemn.

"Anyone who would carry out such a cruel and criminal act causing injuries to the dog has no regard for the animal's welfare and needs to be brought before the courts. I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the PSNI on the non-emergency number 101."

(Belfast Telegraph - Sept 22, 2014)