An abandoned puppy found hours from death in a forest, has triggered calls from MLAs for a sea change in Northern Ireland's animal welfare laws and the relationships between the councils and DAERA.
The nine-week-old Labrador Poodle mix, thought to have been an unwanted gift over Christmas, was discovered by a dog walker at Mountsandel Forest, Coleraine, earlier this week after she had initially mistaken him for a bunch of leaves.
Shaun McIntyre from Benvardin Kennels charity where the male pup is now being cared for, said he is lucky to be alive after being found in a state of severe starvation and hypothermia.
