We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
SCOTLAND IS A state of some 5.3 million people, about 15 per cent more than Ireland. Every year in Scotland about 500 dogs are destroyed, according to the Dogs Trust. In Ireland we kill almost that many in a month. Fifteen dogs that end up in pounds are put down every day, about 5,500 in a year.
These are not dogs being euthanised at the end of their happy lives by tearful families. These are creatures that have been abandoned and abused. Perhaps the image springing to mind is of awful breeders keeping puppy farms in squalid conditions, but the reality is that many of these 5,500 dogs sent to slaughter are put there by negligent but otherwise normal families.
Before Christmas animal charities under the banner of the Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) pleaded with people to cross pets off their gift list unless they were absolutely committed to taking care of one long term. Then, like the inevitability of the Sun rising in January we hear from dog welfare groups that the annual dumping of dogs is proceeding apace.
The Cork Dog Action Welfare Group reported last weekend that they had run out of places to home abandoned dogs, with an increase in the number abandoned versus the previous year. The ISPCA pointed out to TheJournal.ie that they typically see dog abandonment peaking towards May, as puppies “have gotten bigger or started chewing on the sofa and may have lost their cute appeal”.
Kathrina Bentley, spokeswoman for The Dogs Trust, said there was a shift in the trend with more people abandoning their dogs before Christmas than after. “Lots of people were getting rid of their one-year-old dog from the year before,” she explained.
The charity’s kennels have been overwhelmed in the last month and are now full to capacity.
Charity organisations like The Dogs Trust do not kill animals that come into their care. But kennels that get the overflow put the animals down after about five days, old or young, collared or chipped or not. It is cruel, but there is only so much money available to look after abandoned animals.
It is not the blame of kennels that so many pets are abandoned. It is the fault of callous, shallow minded individuals who are incapable of making good decisions or living with their poor ones.
Dogs piss on the floor. They eat shoes. They will chew through furniture. They do, surprisingly to some, get bigger. Indeed, after thousands of years of observation through domestication we can actually tell how big depending on the breed. Cats will scrape things, including you. Hamsters escape and run riot through homes. None of this ought to come as a surprise to anyone intelligent enough to dress themselves. For everyone else, there’s Google.
Animals are not humans, and they do not require the same protections in law that, say, children do. But animals are the next best thing to humans on this planet, and particularly domesticated pets that we have bred to be mostly incapable of independent survival.
There is no reason why 5,500 dogs have to be killed in this country every year. They’re not bred for food or work, but purely for domestic pleasure. Owning a pet is an entirely discretionary activity.
The only reason they have to die is because otherwise ordinary folks are happy to turn a blind eye to the consequences of their actions. They abandon a pet that has the mental age of a two-year-old person and that is fiercely and unconditionally attached to its family, and then tell the neighbours that it ran away or that they just couldn’t cope. Well, bully for you. The dog, meanwhile, will wander lost; be picked up and put in an unfamiliar and distressing pound; and then die on a cold slab for lack of a better alternative.
Oh yes, you didn’t actually inject the dog with the poison used to kill it. But you got a dog, driving demand for more dogs to be bred. You decided you didn’t like it and abandoned it. The only reason it ended up on a cold slab in a drab kennel is because you put it there.
We give more thought to car ownership than pet ownership. My car is registered to me. It’s my responsibility to keep it in shape and if it’s found somewhere it shouldn’t be, abandoned or otherwise, it’s my problem unless it was stolen.
I don’t think that we need to see dogs and other pets die on such a massive scale. Pets are supposed to be registered and should be micro chipped as a matter of course. This should be better enforced. Then, when an animal is abandoned, the original owner should be forced to pay maintenance to the pet charity or kennel that keeps it until a new home is found.
Why not? Nobody forces a pet onto anyone except the kennels and charities that look after them once they’re abandoned. Decent quality dog kennels will charge about €15-€20 a night to keep a pet, say when you’re on holiday. That might be a bit steep, but frankly my sympathy is limited.
If people have a genuine reason to need to give up a pet, they should firstly make efforts to find it a new home and if that doesn’t work then the cost of pet maintenance could be abated. Genuine reasons might include a family member becoming sick, or someone getting older and becoming too infirm to look after a pet.
Otherwise, pets that are taken into your home ought to have a right to stay in a home until the natural end of their lives. It will encourage pet owners to power through the difficult teething phases; or to find their unwanted pet a new loving home.
Five hundred dogs are destroyed in Scotland each year – 5,500 meet a needless end here in Ireland. Doesn’t say a lot for us as a civilized nation, does it? We should take steps to end this shame.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Wether you like dogs or not,what sort of mentality must you have to dump a dog somewhere and carry on your business as if nothing happened.
In case nobody noticed we are murdering a lot of humans recently too
And as you will see with this guys post there lieth the problem…
Humans are shit
You’re a perfect example of the problem!
James still hitting red thumb records even without spouting the usual anti-Irish bigotry!
Brilliant article, so true owners are a lot of the time to blame. I’ve three dogs with my partner and we would be lost without them! They are part of our family
Well written and an informative article. I had no idea that number of dogs being slaughtered here in Ireland was so high. It would make you think about the importance of choosing a rescue dog over specific breeds if you are thinking about getting a dog. Surely we all have a responsibility to look to the pound first. Thank you for such a strongly worded piece, it needed to be said.
Hoping to get a dog in the next two years when I finish university :) will definitely be a rescue dog! Can’t imagine paying for a puppy when so many are waiting for a home!
I know lots of ppl who get rid of dogs when they become an “inconvenience ” or abandon them to the back yard with a bowl of food thrown at them once a day . Moaning about how the dog is destroying the garden . I think it tells a lot about these people’s mindset in general, not only towards animals. I distance myself from these people. They are Cruel .
I’d have to agree with you.
We got a dog and hadn’t thought about it to much.
As we now both have to work full time and even though the dog gets walked every possible evening and sleeps inside the back hall after dark, I feel positively cruel leaving her out in the garden all day with only cat for company.
But we’re in it for the long haul, she’s a member of the family and deserves the best that we can provide.
Don’t feel guilty , the dog knows its loved and wanted. He sleeps inside which is brilliant . I have two Staffies. I got two so they would always have each other when we are at work. They were rescue dogs . We have never had a problem with the breed and we have one child and another on the way . There seems to be places called doggie day care popping up all over the place that will entertain your dog with walks etc during the day if you wanted to break the week up a bit more for your buddy:) you sound like a great owner , wish more ppl cared like this
You can get people to call in for an hour and bring your dog out to break up the day :-)
You can get people to call in for an hour and bring your dog out to break up the day :-)
Yes Karl and fair play to you for being so honest, but people don’t seem to realise that abandoning a dog all day is actually a form of cruelty , so many ignorant ( and I mean that in the uneducated sense) people that work long hours away from home get dogs, then wonder 8 or 10 hours after leaving it why it has chewed furniture, defecated etc… Perhaps rehoming may actually be the kindest option for your dog. The infamous slogan needs to also read ‘Dogs are for everyday, not just for the odd evening and weekends’.
I have a 1.5 yr old lab. My brother found a lab puppy (only abt 8 weeks old) under his car on New Years morning. Initially I thought she was an unwanted Xmas present. After driving a 500km round trip to pick her up (after I saw a pic I cudn’t say no!!) we realised she was under weight, covered in fleas and had a big swollen tummy from loads of worms. The vet in the area said he had heard of other lab pups being found. I believe the litter were abandoned and they were prob all abandoned because they weren’t ready in time for Xmas market. Either way Millie is now in a loving home and settling in great with our other lab. She’ll stay here and be loved forever and always be part of our family. She’s beginning to fatten up and heading to the vet for her 2nd round of vaccinations today and has already been microchipped. Wish I cud say the same for all the other abandoned dogs in this country. Really sickens me. Some people have no consideration for anyone but themselves. They shud hang their heads in shame. The animal charities do their best but there’s only so much they can do!
Some dogs come with such tragic back stories, my sister has a Rottweiler who was left in an industrial estate chained up to starve. She was in a right state, but thankfully she’s in a place now where she’s very much loved, she has other dogs to play with and kids too.
All dogs who have been mistreated deserve that second chance, sod it – no animal should ever have to be mistreated full stop!
You’re a true gem ! Thank you on behalf of a our shitty society !
Great article. It’s astonishing how stupid people are, getting a dog without knowing what caring for them entails. They give such love and loyalty and it sickens me how people can abandon them and continue as if nothing happened. We need very stiff penalties for animal cruelty and I agree with the above posters that microchip ping should be mandatory.
Well said Eagle.
I agree. My husband and I got a dog last April after revisiting the discussion over a period of a few years. We wanted to make sure we could cope with all the responsibility and the changes having a dog would make to our lives. I’m glad we gave it so much thought; we wanted a beagle but the breed would not have been suitable – we couldn’t have given him the environment he needed. We got a Tibetan Terrier instead, and while he has chewed the occasional thing he shouldn’t have (only because we have left it on the floor) we love him to bits and are delighted we decided to go for it. I know dogs aren’t for everyone but surely nobody out there agrees that dog cruelty is acceptable?
All dogs should be microchipped and registered that way it’s easier to find the owner. Then it’s easier to have a register. Then we have a tracking system and a way to stop the bad owners having dogs. (However I personally would suggest having a register for all animals).
Agree we need accountability and very still penalties. Animal abuse and neglect is taken much more seriously by the authorities in other jurisdictions. I have a feeling a lot of cases are repeat offenders.
There is no taking to some people – two different families I know got unsuitable dogs. I pleaded with them to reconsider as I knew they were unsuitable but sure enough they got them and when the dogs got too big I had to help rehome them. It really sickens me and me is selfish and stupid behaviour. Growing up we always had rescue dogs they became part of the family.
Most dogs are chipped and registered unfortunately it doesn’t stop “people” from abusing and abandoning them
Craig while microchipping is getting more popular people are not regestering them and you often find when you scan a chip it goes back to the breeder. Plus it’s ing in the last 5 years microchipping has been suggested but it’s not compulsory.
You’d be very surprised at the amount of dogs that aren’t chipped and the majority of those that are aren’t registered or the details registered are out of date.
Craig, the majority of dogs are not chipped and even when they are, the chip isn’t registered. We need microchipping and registering to be compulsory with one central database and not the numerous databases that there are now. This should go for cats, horses etc. too.
Dogs especially, put so much trust in humans and reward their owners with such loyalty, its beyond my comprehension how people are so cruel… I’ve 4 adoring brown eyes looking up at me here wondering when I’m going to bring them out in the lashing rain…!!
If I had space and money, I’d own a lot more!
Great article, about time someone put the boot in. I’d love a dog but because if where I live its not suitable so I don’t have one and that’s the choice I made. People need to learn to live with their choices. Unfortunately I imagine only appalled dog lovers will read this article…..so sad
A lot greater controls are needed around breeding as well there is some terrible examples of puppy farms . Stronger dog licensing/registration and microchipping would help .. I live in a country area where dogs are regularly dumped. I don’t understand how people can be so cruel , our dog is part of the family .. We even have to find a dog friendly hotel (if we are holidaying in Ireland).
It really shows the amount of sc*m people in this country.
Well said! It disgusts me. I have 3 three dogs. They’ve peed and pooped on everything, once even managing to get poop on the wall. They’ve had sexy time with every soft furnishing in the house. They have destroyed skirting, doors, walls, furniture, shoes, clothes. They eat every bed or blanket I put down for them at night. They steal food off my plate as soon as I drop my gaurd and drink my tea as soon as I take my eyes of the cup. They’re mine though and I love them. I could never abandon them or dump like a sack of rubbish.
A copy of Terri’s post should be on every puppy advertisement. Truth.
Chipping your dog should be mandatory.
It should but so should the registration once it’s done. A friend of mine found a beautiful King Charles in her yard (very neglected) Brought him to the vet he was micro chipped but not registered, no point in doing one without the other.
Now that we have recently learned that a lot of our charity money was being abused it is only natural that a lot of people have stopped giving to charity. However I would urge anyone that has a few spare quid to give to a local animal charity, they are usually unfunded and depend on donations. I have found that most animal charities are genuine in what they do and are certainly not trying to get rich on our donations. I myself sponsor Dogs Trust and am very happy to do so.
A dog has a mental age of a two year old person, obviously far more advanced than their so-called responsible owners.
5,500 isn’t actually a true reflection of the numbers as many charities send Ireland’s unwanted, abandoned dogs to the UK and Sweden and other countries.
In 2012, 10,000 – yes ten thousand dogs were surrendered by their owners to pounds :(
People need to stop buying dogs, start adopting and giving dogs love, attention, exercise and positive reward based training!
I got a text during the week asking me had I still got my dog. Sadly he had to be put to sleep in August it broke my heart. Anyway the reason I was asked is a friends wife is suddenly allergic to their fully grown boisterous 2 year old dog and they are looking for a good home for him. They know I’d be a soft touch but unfortunately he is the wrong sort of dog for where I’m living and it made me angry that they would ask without considering the best welfare for their pet.
The “I’m suddenly allergic” excuse really angers me. At least have the gumption to be honest.
Thank you journal for writing this article. The problem is huge here in Ireland and people need to know rather than turn a blind eye. As an animal lover I go to bed with a heavy heart most nights , I wreck my brain trying to think of different ways to get Ireland to listen. I get slagged over my use of Facebook because I post a lot about dogs, but I am determined to make a stand some how in 2014. Breeders need to stop breeding , there are so many dogs needing homes right now. The government severely need to get their finger out NOW and change laws. Tough sentences for animal abuse, neglect need to be brought into our laws. Anyone wanna help me this year just pm me. I know a lot of people out there are very angered as to what’s going on! Start emailing the government today!
Knew so many people who paid 800 to 1000′s during the boom for pedigree dogs bred by breeders. Without exception they were never walked and gotten rid of. All my dogs have been rescue dogs, some people seen to think that’s the equivalent of shopping in Lidl. I also shop in Lidl so maybe it’s me that’s weird
The gas thing is that most mixed breed dogs are far healthier than “pure breeds” who are sadly solely bred for their appearance.
That’s not strictly true – some dogs are bred for appearance, but not all. A responsible breeder (which are few and far between) care about their lineage, they pride themselves on it. They will be the ones who have you sign contracts when you pick the dog up – they’ll want health updates, and a caveat that rather than abandon any animal – you will return it to them for rehoming.
Like I say – they’re few and far between, but they do exist. And usually have a pack of rescue dogs living in the same house as the pedigrees. Decent breeders deserve to be held as separate from the rest because their motives are not usually so shallow.
You’ll note my comment says “most”. I don’t feel anybody should be breeding dogs for any reason at present when so many are being PTS – it’s not responsible in my opinion for any reason. There are simply and sadly already too many unwanted dogs in Ireland and not enough people prepared to adopt.
I would have been of the same mindset too – but having met one or two of the decent breeders my outlook has changed somewhat. Some are breeding to combat health issues, some are breeding for temperament. Some owners just want to know exactly what they’re getting in for – a decent breeder will know which issues are in the line and offer advice on how to work to reduce the impact this may have.
Sadly – when you don’t know the origins you have no idea what to expect – and while that can be just fine, there are those who would prefer to have an idea of what they’re up against so they can tailor the dogs care accordingly.
You can’t breed for temperament, a puppy grows up because of the way he/she is raised, it has nothing to do with his/her parents. If people are concerned about a an adult dog’s past – adopt a wing there. I’m not saying that people should never ever breed dogs but at the moment, until people in this country start being responsible owners I just don’t see how it’s in order to create more puppies while 15 dogs a day die in pounds? My own dogs are adopted. One is a “purebreed” that somebody tied to the railings in Dogs Trust because he had cancer. I’m sure they paid big money for him but it didn’t guarantee him a forever home!
That should read adopt a puppy – not a wing (damn phone)
If that’s the case then why are guide dogs and assistance dogs most frequently Labradors and retrievers rather than dogs of unknown lineage?There are some things that relate specifically to breed. There’s also size, when you buy a pure breed dog – you have a good idea how big it will grow to be – if the puppies have unknown origins you have no idea besides looking at paw size.
Then there’s health issues specific to certain breeds – certain breeds are prone to epilepsy and can be dangerous around kids if this is not taken into consideration. If you are unsure of the parentage this has a small chance of becoming an issue.
Of course irresponsible breeding has to stop – and that would account for the majority of dogs available through listings websites. There are some breeders out there who really don’t belong in the same category – they are just as opposed to puppy farms and backyard breeders as any of the rest of us, and frequently have a few rescues of their own. It’s important to make that distinction was all I was getting at.
Check out the experiments on the domesticated silver fox, genetics appears to be more important than environment.
My comment on the article would be that our society’s treatment of all animals is terrible. 1.5 million cows are slaughtered annually, dairy calves are exported to the veal trade in Holland and Belgium, etc etc. At least the dogs in the pounds are put to death humanely, unlike the cattle that were allowed to starve to death in Cork.
Would love to have a dog but I don’t have the right place to keep it safe.
Same here – I can’t understand people who get dogs and don’t think about it first – you are signing up to caring for a life for up to 16 years, you should be aware of the fact that there will be costs – veterinary as well as food and other necessities. It will limit renting options if you do not own a house. You should be aware of what’s involved in caring for whatever animal you get, how big they will become, how much exercise they need – you should treat a pet with as much care as you would a child – although sadly, there are many who don’t even seem to get how important that is :(
I would love nothing more than to have more pets right now – but I can’t afford an unexpected vet bill – and it would be irresponsible to have a pet that I couldn’t care for completely. Why can’t people think about these things before bringing animals home?
35 dogs in Swedish pounds for the entire year,Ireland destroys 5500 and thats not the true number either let’s not forget the mass graves of greyhounds etc.It is a national embarrassment.
We’ll said patrick. My friend she is an angel rescues pit bulls from the pound and rehomes them to Sweden. Pacho went to Sweden yesterday and she is collecting another pitbull today, ready to go to Sweden in three weeks. People need to be aware that there is loads we can do by networking and sharing. If you can’t foster you can many other things like putting pressure on government agencies, educating friends, family, co workers etc. help your local rescues, food, funds, help walk dogs. Add pages like ahar, paws, all the animal welfare sites and you can see where help is needed, these pages are fantastic in learning what you can do to help!
When the number of greyhounds put to sleep by pounds are added it almost doubles the figures, but shockingly they’re considered livestock, not dogs :(
Part of the problem lies in the fact that people often don’t realise how much care & attention a dog needs. If there was some way that people had to volunteer at a pound for a month before they were allowed to own a dog, it might change their perspective on whether they wanted to own one or not. Obviously, I know that wouldn’t happen because it makes far too much sense…..
I do agree with you on this one, Aaron …
Respect for life starts with respecting animals.
Unfortunately, the behaviour of ignorant bumpkins can have catastrophic effects.
Peoples attitudes to animals in this country repulse me.
I have a dog and both my partner and i work full time.
I get up at 6am everyday to bring our dog for a walk. My partner works shifts so for two days during the week our dog is home alone. On these days I use my lunch break to come home and let the dog out and take her around the block. It’s hard work but it’s the choice we made as we wanted a dog.
I adore my dog, there’s nothing like coming home to her everyday, but it’s hard work and expensive but soo rewarding.
The laws in this country need to change.
I’m not sure why the Author has used Scotland as an analogy to extend his point…….owing that one of the reasons and unlike in Ireland……….spaying and neutering is ‘free of charge’ in Scotland, which is one of the main reasons they have low put-down rates there.
Like the Pharmacy’s debacle in Ireland, with expensive medicine, keeping a Dog is similar. Once off micro chipping fee €100, first year jabs €200, neutering €150. My Dog’ still needs yearly jabs + worm tabs + Vet fee’s and your up to about €130 per annum. Also, any other Vet/medicine………..and equipment, food, grooming’ etc. Not to mention……..a minor operation or surgery!
Contributing factor’s……..no doubt.
If you are unemployed and possibly if your income is low, the blue cross are very helpful to cat and dog owners. They will neuter for a reasonable sum, and cover a large portion of the other bills too as far as I am aware.
Sadly – it is just cats and dogs. Any exotic species would require the attention of a suitably qualified vet, and they’re a little more rare.. The chances of finding them in your local blue cross are limited.
You really can tell the good of people by how they treat animals and this is a sad indictment of us as a nation. The microchipping law is a good step but as people have pointed out we don’t have the resources to enforce it. Also, as horrible as it is to think of, people have a history or erasing all traces of their ownership from a dog, numerous greyhounds have turned up with their ears disfigured or gone altogether, dumped to save their breeder the cost of of ‘euthanising’ them. The attitude to greyhound breeding and racing in itself says it all about the Irish attitude to animal welfare, breed dogs and if they’re not exactly what you need you dump or kill them. It’s just so depressing.
Great article. Highlighted a number of points…
Mandatory chipping is due to become law soon in this country ,but like a lot of laws there are not enough Gardai to enforce it ,if people are nervous of giving cash to charities most rescues will accept food ,old blankets ,towels , leads ,feeding bowls etc ,in some cases even old newspapers .
If people genuinely cannot afford to neuter or spay most rescues will assist with the cost and either way any self respecting rescue doesn’t release an animal until it’s neutered
Walk for Fionn in Cork on Sunday the 26th to show that you are fed up of animal abuse!
Not only do dog owners need to be held accountable but puppy farming back yard breeders. Their dog(s) are not cash machines that they can use to fill their pockets. Target ppl as well. I’m sick to death of ppl not seeing animals as part of their family either a toy to throw away or they see $£€ signs. I’m disgusted.
Legislation and enforcement of the legislation is needed. Penalties, money and prison time is needed. The only way people would improve their behaviour is by being scared or hurt in their pockets. Microchip all dogs and put the I formation of the owners in it, if abandoned or of the person wants to get rid of the animal, charge them for it. If they are put to sleep, charge them for it. Its ridiculous to murder this amount of animals and nobody takes responsibility. Dogs are not a fashion accessory, hamsters are terrible pets for children (active only at night), and cats Re not “easy to mind because they are independent”. Really, people have to learn to take responsibility otherwise, punish them.
Don’t be too hasty to call for more legislation. This is a disgrace and I hate that it happens. I’m taking a rescue dog from HUG shortly so I consider myself part of the solution. However if we call for systems to be put in place it has to be done in conjunction with the kennels dealing with these issues. There is no point introducing a load of feed for new licences and registers so that responsible people get ripped off. It’s the offenders that should bear the brunt of the cost.
Most dogs in pounds are actually stray dogs, they have been allowed to wander free and not kept under control. If people would actually keep their dogs safe on their own premises the pound numbers could drop significantly. The other dogs in the pounds are ” surrendered” by their owners. Social media is full of people searching for lost dogs – and claiming they were stolen.
Some pounds are able to achieve a 99% rehoming rate – there is a No Kill policy in place. In other pounds up to 84% of the dogs are killed. The pounds run by the ISPCA are some of the worst.
This is a very informative article and great to see this matter getting the attention it deserves. The Irish attitude to pet dogs is far too casual and the numbers killed in the pound could be drastically reduced by owners keeping their dogs safe and by pounds co operating with recue who are anxious to help.
The government spends €5.2 million every year on dog control – if this money was spent on welfare and education it would be far better employed than by rounding up and killing the dogs of feckless owners. The fecless owners only go out and get another dog and the same cycle starts all over again.
We have had our dog for 10 years she is neutered ,microchipped and vaccinated .She lives inside ,fed daily and has access to clean water always .groomed and walked and we also pick up her poo when she’s walked .so basically she is one of our family and she even get toys at Christmas and birthday sad I know.So unless you have a working dog .please don’t buy a dog just because it’s a sweet puppy and your kids, mother in law ,wife etc thinks it cute..it grows up it will crap in your garden and house .Chew things ,it needs feeding and walking ‘neutering (or you will be left with puppy’s no one wants )No dumping in a garden or out on the road because you can’t be bothered any more ..So if your not willing to commit to a dog or any animal for a the minimum of 10 years please don’t get one ……
One of the richest countries in the western world and yet Ireland has a deplorable animal abuse/neglect reputation. People flock to Ireland to buy puppies from so called breeders. There are a lot of people who treat their animals appallingly and continue to do so because the animal protection laws here are almost non existent and so they are rearly called to account. Not surprising though when you think about how we dished out the same treatment to women and children. The is a savage under currant in the Irish psychi.
If people want to do something about this I suggest the following:
Never surrender a dog you find or your own dog to a dog pound – depending on the pound, you may be putting them on death row. Only place them somewhere with a No Kill policy. Some of the pounds (including the Wicklow Pound run by the ISPCA) can put down a healthy dog after only five days. No Kill is considered the new standard that all pounds and shelters should adhere to.
Never buy a dog – we need to make it not profitable for people to breed dogs for money.
Write to your TD to ask them to take action to reduce the number of breeders given licences (ideally ban the trade and selling of puppies for profit, but I guess that is not going to happen) and crack down on our illicit puppy farms. Ask them to introduce laws that legitimate breeders selling puppies (if they must) must by law insert a micro-chip and that the person they are selling to must have their name registered as the legal keeper of the dog. That would reduce people dumping dogs, especially if there were a financial penalty, and would make people think twice about getting dogs.
There is plenty we can do, but if we do not pressure our TDs nothing will happen and we are crying crocodile tears.
I would love to see you have to satisfy some sort of criteria in order to obtain the dog license.
Like – show that you have some sense of the responsibility of taking care of the dog. You have made provisions and worked out the costs involved, and have a plan in place for emergencies. Prove that you have a suitable and stable area to keep the pet and know how much walking is required.
It’s quite sad that some people see animals as something to make money from – sadly when obtaining money enters the equation, for some people everything else goes out the window. Lives are not a commodity.
People in this Country can’t treat each other with respect so would you expect them to be any different towards animals!
Four years ago , I was rescued by the most amazing dog in the world , she strayed in at half her recommended weight , no tag or chip, covered with scabies and with skin rashes , she had peed on my floor are my shoes but the way she lights up when I come home from work , and tries to hitch a lift any time I get in the car , makes me smile every time – I would give up every material item I possess rather than give her up – just don’t get these people !
That’s the best way I have seen it put here – YOU were rescued. That shows the depth of live right there, your dog sounds like a lucky puppy!
Great article. I agree people just don’t put enough consideration into getting a dog. Yes sometimes it can be hard work but the rewards and unconditional love far out weigh this. I spent 6 months deciding whether to get a dog or not. Eventually I got a rescue dog. I’ve had Millie for 11 years now and is such a part of the family I don’t know what we would do if anything happened to her. The animal rights laws in Ireland should be changed to help deter people from adopting dogs and dumping them when the outcome is not what they expected.
We have an interesting disconnect between the treatment we dole out to animals who are terminally ill and people in the same boat. We are quite happy to have the animals euthanised – but when the same facility is suggested for people the pro-life lobby are up in arms saying “life is sacred” etc. There is a difference between living and merely existing. What dignity is there to life when you have become a slobbering, incontinent vegetable completely dependent on others.?The sooner that living wills are legally recognised here the better.
Another idea is to email those online sites that sell stuff and also have sections for people selling puppies. This is where unscrupulous puppy farming people may try to sell the puppies they have raised in deplorable conditions. Tell these online companies that you will not use their site until they stop selling animals. Don’t believe what they say about their safeguards, guidelines, etc. Just look at the puppy ads and you have to wonder who some of the sellers are… There are some sites that do not trade in animals and they are the only ones I support.
We’ve had our boy for almost 5yrs now. He is the light of our lives. Yes he is a huge responsibly and there is a lot of cost involved, but we wouldn’t change him for the world. He is a part of our little family, he gets us out for walks, meeting other people etc. He has also come on a couple of holidays with us to pet friendly places (much more available these days). It’s not for everyone and there is no shame in not having a dog. The only shame is taking one on not realising the responsibly and then giving up on them. If you’re not in a position to take on a dog, a small donation to dogs trust will go a long way instead. My hubby donates monthly to them and by giving €23 they can claim your tax on this and effectively double the donation. So in actual fact he is donating €45. It really makes a difference.
My hubby & I have 4 dogs and it’s hard work(3 rescues) but worth it. They are great companions. They r walked every day & all sleep indoors. Nothing nicer than b welcomed home every day with smiley faces & wagging tails. Wouldn’t part with them for anything.
My lab had 7 pups just before Christmas and it’s breaking my heart to have to give them away. But if I don’t find good homes for them where I know thy will have a long and happy life I will keep them. . Won’t be easy but No way will I have them put down. How could I decide which lives and which gets put down
Maybe you should have got your dog neutered before having to consider the fate of these unfortunate puppies…
Can anyone of the 33 red thumbers (apart from the usual trolls, not interested in your tripe) please explain- why the red thumbs for saying that a dog is not just for the weekend? Please. Thank you.
Year after year dogs are bought by parents for kids at xmas and year after year the same outcome is inevitable. Defenceless pets abandoned because ignorant people bite off more than they can chew and havent a clue what owning and caring for a dog entails. Why cant an advert campaign b run on tv in d lead up to xmas to drill it home to people d dark side of puppy farms and parents giving into kids demanding pups as presents. Because the message is just not getting through.
ALL behavioural issues can be addressed and even dog with issues can be managed and have a good life. It just takes a bit of good will and commitment. Throwing dogs off piers is barbaric and ignorant.
42 red thumbs for saying a dog is not just a toy to be picked up at the weekend and then left alone all week? Speaks for itself.
Perhaps it’s more along the lines of – most people have to go out to work, what are they supposed to do?
Of course the answer there is to never just have one dog. If they have a friend there with them while you are out then they never need feel lonely, and their humans can lavish them with attention when they are home.
Oh Giz I agree, hence why we have 2, I’m referring more to the people – and I know some of them personally – and begged them NOT to get a dog, that (for example) work shift work, the dog – a Rottweiler in a small back garden- rain, hail or shine is left, tied to a kennel with a chain about 6 ft in length for fear of escaping, alone for over 12 hours every day, only ever walked on days off and even then this is a walk on a lead, there is nowhere for the poor dogeen to have a run. I’m not saying said person doesn’t love the dog, in fact I have no doubt that they do but it is cruel. Fact.
I heard described how on certain islands along our west coast, if a dog was a bit unruly, dangerous to other animals or just too loud, it’d be brought down to the pier, a rope or chai
…chain put around its neck and thrown over into the water. I suppose that’s what’s done when you don’t have canals. It sounds cruel, but what else could you do with a problem dog on a small island?
It’s called training, Brian. All dogs can be trained, no exceptions. The problem is peoples ignorance.
What else could you do? You could train the dog not to be a nuisance, exercise it, make sure he can’t roam, y’know, be a responsible owner.
Eh, you could train the dog Brian. It’s as simple as that!!
Well definitely NOT that, Brian. How horrific for that poor animal. The people who do this to the dogs on that Island are barbaric and uncivilized, and certainly sound like they are living in the dark ages…
They need to catch a wake-up call and start using their pea-size brain.
What the hell is wrong some humans???
When we move from SA to Dublin, we moved lock, stock and barrel and that included our two dogs..
Both were microchipped and registered, both had been neutered and spayed.
They were part of our family for 14 years…
It really irks me when people who are meant to be the most intelligent of all species acts the dumbest when treating animals and our planet..
There’s no such thing as bad dogs – just bad owners. If they were not shown what behaviour was expected of them through training then their owners are responsible. Dogs are very easy to train provided you put some work in. Positive reinforcement and clear discouragement from unwanted activities is not hard to do, and is very effective. All a dog wants to do is please it’s pack leader – which is supposed to be the owner. They’re naturally obedient creatures. If you can’t train a dog then you don’t deserve to be trusted to care for any other form of life at all.
One of the cruelest things I have ever witnessed as a very small child when walking home from school was a local gamer having executed his dog at the entrance to his hayshed.
The sight of the poor creature hanging there was horrific!
That mans actions have I think in no small way shaped my veiw of the world.
If you can hang a dog even a working dog not a family pet, or drown an animal in the cold light of day knowing what terror the animal will suffer in its final moments then you are a dangerous human being.
I’ve never murdered a dog, ever. Sometimes I feel like doing so when I see the state of the pavements when I’m out jogging or walking to work.
And this is the fault of the DOGS?????????????????? Not their owners????????????
That’s not the dogs fault……it the owners who watch their dogs pooing on the path and walk away leaving it for someone to walk in…….the dog has to poo. If you own a dog then YOU are responsible for cleaning up after it.
Pharmyco, Have you ever confronted a dog owner who walks away without cleaning up after his dog has done his business? If you are blaming the dogs then I doubt that you have. Place the blame where it lies, firstly with the owners of the dog secondly with the councils who are too lazy to enforce the legislation and lastly with ordinary members of the public that do not protest when they see this type of behaviour. If there was an on the spot €1500 fine enforced by Garda, and council wardens the pavements would be spotless. Don’t forget to make an issue of it with the local political crawlybumlickers when they come looking for your vote in the local elections.
There is a huge very serious problem in this country with regards to animal welfare and it needs to be dealt with now.
In my opinion…
Neutering and micro chipping should be a free service.
Puppy farms need to be shut down and the owners prevented from having animal ever again.
All breeders should be made to stop breeding for a time just to allow the rescue animals a chance to find a home and anyone looking for a pet should be made choose one from a rescue center.
Proper licencing and regulations should be put in place in regards to owning an animal, ( if you can afford, care for or house an animal then you don’t get one)
Pets should never be given as presents unless you absolutely know that who your gifting it too wants it and has the knowledge of how to care for it and adequate means and space for it. And if your a parent buying for your kids then before buy a pet accept the fact that once your kids get bored with their pet you will be the one who has to care for them. If this doesn’t appeal to you then don’t buy a pet.
Before you go looking for a pet, do your research, look at the different breeds and learn the care required and pick a breed that you are willing to care for. Try not to just pick the cutest puppy, i.e .. a German Shepard puppy is adorable but they grown large, need lots of exercise and mental stimulation or they chew everything and being a large dog they need a recent sized garden so pick one that you can properly care for.
im heartbroken!! I wish i had land & buildings to take them in, this 5 day policy in pounds need to be changed. The councils have enough money for the heads to have expensive dinners & wines & write it off to expenses, surely they can afford to hold these dogs a few more days. Also, people shouldnt be let just surrender thier animals, they should be fined
The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged on the way it’s animals are treated – Ghandi, so shame on those people in Ireland who are so cruel to the animals :(
And you say your country are a race of caring, religious people?
The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged on the way it’s animals are treated – Ghandi, so shame on Ireland for treated out animals this way :(
have your say