A dog bred to the verge of death and dumped on a roadside has been put to sleep by the USPCA after she was discovered in a ditch by a member of the public.
The charity is today once more demanding more effective regulation and enforcement against illegal breeders and smugglers, and has set up an appeal for information about this most recent case.
The dog, possibly a liver and white Springer Spaniel, was found in terrible condition both physically and mentally, she was frightened, severely unwell and in considerable pain after being dumped in a ditch in the Longfield Road area of Forkhill, Co Armagh.
She was suffering severe mange and a serious bacterial skin infection which made her breed type almost indistinguishable. But she also had a huge abdominal tumour and was in a great deal of pain.
Sadly for this dog, who vets believe had been repeatedly bred and left untreated for serious medical conditions, the kindest thing to do for her was to put her to sleep and relieve her of any more suffering.
USPCA Chief Executive Brendan Mullan, said: "This was a truly horrible and distressing case of animal cruelty and neglect, and we condemn the actions of those responsible for treating an animal this way.
"Her condition and the manner in which she was abandoned leads us to believe that she was a former puppy farm dog. Following a spate of abandoned puppies and terrible cases of animal cruelty in recent months, this case is yet another example of why Northern Ireland urgently needs better enforcement and regulation to clamp down on these illegal breeders.
"MLA Robin Newton’s private members bill, the Welfare of Animals (Breeding and Sale of Puppies) Bill (#Lucy’s Law for NI) presents the opportunity for immediate action – firstly, to offer greater protections for the animals being exploited in this cruel trade, and secondly, to ensure those responsible are held accountable and face the full force of the law for their actions.
"Frustratingly, this bill is yet to be given a date to be presented to the Assembly. Time is short in this mandate, and we call on the Bills Office to recognise the scale and seriousness of the problem. Otherwise, we are left with months of further pain and suffering for these animals.
"Keeping a dog in such poor conditions is one thing but to then abandon her at a roadside when she was obviously so unwell is unforgivable.
"We are asking members of the public with any information around this incident to please come forward and contact the USPCA on 028 3025 1000.
“The more we see demand for young pups, the more this appalling industry grows. We are pleading with the public to rehome a dog from their local animal shelter and avoid illegal breeders at all costs – the individuals involved have no regard for animal welfare and are only interested in lining their pockets.
"This dog was so visibly ill but was being exploited over and over by her owners for profit – when she was no longer of use, she was left to die by herself.
"This case highlights the disturbing reality of the puppy farming industry, and we just don’t know where the horrific and tragic outcomes will ever end without action from our government.
"We urge the Bills Office to ensure the Breeding and Sale of Puppies Bill reaches the floor of the Assembly in this mandate. There must be consequences for the perpetrators of this despicable cruelty."
MLA Robin Newton said: “This is yet another dreadful example of dogs and pups being used and abused only for huge profits.
"The cruelty of the illegal puppy farmers is well known, and the introduction of my Private Members' Bill will help address not only the cruelty of the puppy farmers, but those who deal in the sale and trafficking of the pups."
If you have any information around this incident to please contact the USPCA on 028 3025 1000.
