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Own a pet? Here are some tips for keeping them safe in bad weather

It’s time to winter-proof your pet’s home.

*Warning: This post contains a photo that some people may find distressing. 

WITH MORE BAD weather on the cards, we’ve spoken to an animal expert about how you can look after your you pet this winter.

Gillian Bird from the DSPCA recently gave TheJournal.ie some practical tips for pet owners.

“People are often told to winter-proof their car, but this is also the perfect time of year to winter-proof your home, or your pet’s home,” she said.

“If your dog sleeps in a kennel make sure it’s not leaking or facing into the prevailing wind. If you buy a very cheap shower curtain you can fold it over and nail it to the kennel.

“This acts like a cat flap so the dog can go in and out but it stops the rain from coming in. If you get a see-through curtain, the lights still gets in.”

ISPCA Calendar 2015 Puppy ISPCA ISPCA

Bird encouraged people to change their pet’s bed. She said people should check that rabbit hutches are not leaking and, if they are, place a sheet of polystyrene on the roof.

ISPCA 2015 Calendar bunny ISPCA ISPCA

ISPCA Calendar 2015 Kitten ISPCA ISPCA

She also urged people to check that the drain covers outside their house are secure as they often come off, leading to small animals like hedgehogs falling in.

ISPCA Calendar 2015 Hedgehog ISPCA ISPCA

For people who own horses, Bird recommended checking that there are no gaps in fences through which the animals can wander on to roads.

Kids have a terrible tendency for pulling out pallets and parts of fences at Halloween. It might only be noticeable now as leaves die and holes appear.

Bird also reminded people that under the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, animals must be checked at least once every 24 hours.  

Football nets

Bird told us about a safety hazard for animals such as foxes that many people might not be aware of: football goal nets.

The DSPCA recently got word of a fox that got tangled in one of a net in Rathfarnham. Sadly, he didn’t make it.

Bird called on people to not discard the nets outdoors and keep an eye on them if they have one in their garden.

fox DSPCA DSPCA

More information on animal welfare is available on the DSPCA’s website and the ISPCA’s website.

10 tips for tackling your dog’s extra weight

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    Mute Francie Coffey
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:11 AM

    I don’t know how anyone could leave a pet outside in wet or freezing weather.
    My Boxer’s bed is on the couch, in front of the fire, – usually though, he sneaks upstairs & in under the duvet, – better than any hot water bottle…!!

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    Mute Heather Knowles
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:00 AM

    Best way to keep your dogs safe at any time is to keep them indoors where family members belong, snoozing on the couch beside you, curled up in front of the fire or as as mine is now stretched out on the bed upstairs snoring. I don’t understand how anyone can leave them outside bad weather or not. They are social animals and need the company of their humans around them. Your pets rely on you to be their family and look after them so don’t let them down.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:51 AM

    @ heather

    Thats all well and good if your pets are small and house trained and to be honest when a house has pets in it all the time the houses tend to smell regardless of how clean the home owners are,also pets are better able to deal with weather if kept outdoors,if a pet is kept indoors all the time they are at risk if they got loose and run off and got lost stuck out in the elements they wouldnt be used to the weather so while its great to keep your pets cosy it comes with risks,also its a bit unfair to say u dont know how people could leave their pets outside as it suggests its cruel which it isnt,most pets are built for the wild,they can handle the elements more so than people,there are dogs kept outdoors all over the country,as long as you groom,feed and clean up after your pet its good pet ownership regardless of the fact if there house or back yard pets.

    62
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    Mute Heather Knowles
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 12:36 PM

    Perhaps you shouldn’t keep pets then if you can’t house train them and are not prepared to view them as a full part of the family. Animals are work yes but if you can’t accept the responsibility that comes with having them then dont get them.

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 12:39 PM

    That was possibly the most stupid comment I’ve ever seen relating to pet ownership. My family have always kept Bernese mountain dogs, huge dogs. If you keep them and the house clean there’s no smell. A dog kept out in the back garden, with limited interaction with its human owners will not be as good a pet as one treated as part of the family and taught how to interact. Just beacuse people have and go on keeping animals out in their back garden does not make it right. And as for indoor not being used to bad weather, what utter rubbish. Most respinsibke dog owners will exercise their dogs in all weathers, not just when the sun is shining. To stick a dog out the back, feed it and clean up after it is simply not enough and with an attitude like that I really hope you don’t own a dog. No wonder we have an animal welfare problem with attitudes like yours.

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    Mute Heather Knowles
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 12:39 PM

    Oh and I have my dog indoors all the time and there is no smell. As someone who works at home with clients they are always shocked to find out I even have a dog. Clean animals generally don’t have an odour.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 12:53 PM

    @ heather

    Thats such a high horse your on there,my pets are well cared for ,they are groomed regularly, well fed,live in the cleanest of conditions,vacinated regularly, and like all pets love the outdoors and guess what heather they live outdoors and are extremely happy,and all my pets live long lives,my border collie I had to have put to sleep a couple of years ago because of cancer at the age of 15 which is a great age for a collie,my rabbit another outdoor pet aged 8 died which is a great age for an outdoor rabbit which they normally have a life expectancy of 4 outdoors.you like to judge others heather but cant take the criticism yourself, thats childish and you are dead right pets are hard work but only if you look at it as work,I myself view it as looking after one of my own.

    32
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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 12:59 PM

    @ ingela/heather

    Keep on believing,owners are used to the smell not visitors,they are being polite,the houses still smell,animals kept at fires ,indoors etc not as climatised as outdoor pets dont delude yourself.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 1:05 PM

    @ heather

    I would consider it cruel to keep your pets indoors all the time as you say yourself.

    29
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    Mute Heather Knowles
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 1:31 PM

    Hardly when she gets over 2 hours of walks every day regardless of weather and regular doggy play dates as well. Also she lets us know when she wants to go ooutside and then she is let out. She is more then capable of expressing what she wants to us. That comment is ridiculous.

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    Mute Heather Knowles
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 1:33 PM

    Really as even my sister who doesn’t like dogs and would be the first to say it has commented on how there is never any smell. I’m also slightly OCD about cleanliness myself. If you keep animals outside they will smell, a clean, well groomed dog with fresh bedding thats kept indoors does not.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 1:35 PM

    @ ingela

    By your line of thinking,pets kept outdoors is cruel,so contact the relevant animal welfare organisations and tell them they have got it wrong all these years,its sounds like you want to make your pets more like people than animals,dogs for example are wild animals instinctively,keeping them indoors to make you feel better about yourself and your ownership of them is both stupid and cruel in my book,a balanced approach is advisable and I previously kept animals indoors so I have experienced both sides of the coin,too many selfish owners attempt to change there animals,you want to be a good pet owner then let them be what nature intended,to the closest possible way obviously otherwise they would be running wild.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 1:46 PM

    @ heather

    Well your the one that said you keep your dog indoors all the time,listen heather all animals smell and people are being polite in saying they dont smell anything it might not be a very unpleasant smell and only slight but it will be there,they just dont want to hurt anyones feelings,that is the truth and ive also kept my dog indoors for years its just what happens my dog was spotless and the house spotless but you will still get that smell it isnt avoidable it just isnt unless you plan on overpowering the house with scented candles/room sprays etc which at times can be equally unpleasant .

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    Mute Heather Knowles
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:02 PM

    Would you put one of your children in the back yard if you treat animals as one of your own? And yes animals are work a responsible dog owner accepts that but still takes care of their pet and loves it unconditionally as the rewards and joy they bring like children outweigh that work. Looking after a family is work. Our dog is treated as a full family member. Domesticated dogs are not wild animals and need to be with their owners. A dog that is talked to, played with and cuddled is far happier then one outside. Your additional comments about keeping dogs indoors being cruel are bats. Obviously my dog is well exercised, if you think keeping a dog in the house means not taking it out for exercise your delusional yourself. What is the point of keeping a dog if it’s not your companion? They are sentient, feeling creatures. Also if you keep your dog safely indoors it’s not going to get loose. Dogs kept outside are far more likely to escape and stray.

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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:14 PM

    I hate houses that smell of nothing other than self-satisfaction.

    29
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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:22 PM

    @ heather

    God you really do think you know everything about pet ownership,
    Firstly I said instinctively wild animals not wild animals the fact they are pets obviously suggests they are domesticated thats a no brainer,the truth is heather indoor or outdoor pets both come with risks,anything can happen in either case ref getting loose,u can never say never,you where quite happy to criticise people for keeping pets outdoors when you know nothing about these people thats why I challenged you on your comment,I agree with you regards loving your pets and making them family members and all that but the kids question,pure stupidity,animals/pets are not children,animals are designed for life in the outdoors/wild children are not,you shouldnt really be looking down your snobby lickle nose at people because they look after their pets different to you,just because you do things different doesn’t mean your better or right than others it equally doesnt mean your wrong or less than others maybe you should judge less and be as accepting to people who do things different to you as you clearly are to your pets.

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    Mute Brendan Julian
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:29 PM

    Heather although we treat animals as part of the family there is a border Line . How CAN you compare a a dog to a child really. I hope to god your dog does not use your bathroom or eat at the table with you. I think you are being a little harsh on sean after all he does have some very good points. My dog prefers sleeping under the stars than in my nice cosy house but thats his choice

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    Mute Brendan Julian
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:29 PM

    Heather although we treat animals as part of the family there is a border Line . How CAN you compare a a dog to a child really. I hope to god your dog does not use your bathroom or eat at the table with you. I think you are being a little harsh on sean after all he does have some very good points. My dog prefers sleeping under the stars than in my nice cosy house but thats his choice

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    Mute Brendan Julian
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:32 PM

    Btw what race of dog do you have. It sounds like one of them Paris Hilton type of dogs

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 3:05 PM

    @ heather

    Can you clarify that you are of the opinion that because a dog for example is kept outside that its owners (a) dont walk It (b) dont talk to it (c) dont cuddle it (d) dont care for it, because that to me if it is the case is delusional,assumptions are often wrong because all they are is assumptions.
    You should think about it.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 3:13 PM

    Great post Heather couldn’t have put it better.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 3:24 PM

    @ david

    Ah another like minded heather individual, you agree with comparing children to animals,good man david fair play to,great contribution.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 3:27 PM

    Pull your neck in Sean. Let your dog inside and stop being such a sad sack.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 3:41 PM

    @ david
    Lol!!! Maybe you and heather should concentrate on yourselves and let other people make there own minds up david,no one likes nosey parkers or people who think they should tell others what they should do as that suggests they have feck all going on in their own lives , dictators are despised the world over, you know what im saying buddy.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 3:50 PM

    Sean you are getting hysterical . It might be caused by the guilt you are feeling. Open the door and let the dog in . I can picture you both sitting on the couch watching your favourite soap opera.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:08 PM

    Kept all dog I have ever owned outside and never had any complaints from them or the ISPCA, so what is wrong with leaving a pet outside in a shed or good kennel.

    As for comparing a pet to a child, that’s wrong. A pet is a pet nothing more. And I know I’ll get many red thumbs for that but its true.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:11 PM

    @ david
    You crack me up lol!!
    I cant bring both my dogs in as ive sent them both on a sunny holiday to the costa,my guilt and cruelty to my half starved,uncuddled k9s causes me to save and send them off twice a year so they dont succumb to the elements.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:18 PM

    Sean , I am informed by reputable sources that dogs do not like to holiday alone. Why have you abandoned these poor animals in foreign climes. They could be sitting with you catching up with Fair City.

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    Mute Meow
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:37 PM

    What’s the point of having a pet if you’re going to keep it outdoors all the time?! It’s horrible to leave your animal out in the cold.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:39 PM

    By that logic we should bring all animals in out of the cold…

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    Mute Meow
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:43 PM

    John Rabbett: we’re talking about domesticated animals – pets that can be litter/house trained

    23
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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:46 PM

    My dogs are happy out in their kennel and shed.. I don’t see a need for them to be in a house.

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    Mute Meow
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:50 PM

    John: I hope you keep your shed warm – unless of course your dogs have thick wooly coats that can tolerate cold…

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 4:52 PM

    Open the door John let them decide where they are happiest. I not sure you understand the concept of having a pet.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:02 PM

    No need, they are happy outside. As I said no complaints from them or the ISPCA. Why do I have to bring them inside to please you?

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:17 PM

    John, no to do the right thing. If you are convinced they are happy where they are give them the choice.
    I have a dog flap so my dog can please herself. In summer she will spend more time outdoors but in winter mainly just goes out for walks with me .

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:23 PM

    That’s nice of you David. But my dog is staying outside unless it goes below 0. The shed is fine. And as for doing the right thing, what am I doing wrong other than not agreeing with you?

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    Mute brendan julian
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:31 PM

    Hg

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:34 PM

    @ david
    Who said they where alone davey boy? They went with family of course,sorry david cant stand fair city prefer eastenders myself.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:46 PM

    @ meow
    Says who meow,as far as my dogs and myself are concerned it works fine for us ,thanks for your obvious concern but we can handle things you know,just because pets are called domestic animals it does not mean they must live inside your home,let them be as close to being wild as possible,if we wanted to call a spade a spade any pet owner could have their motives called into question as after all they where originally wild animals so we could all be classed as cruel.

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    Mute brendan julian
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:47 PM

    This really is a great thread guys. Keep it up

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    Mute Meow
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:54 PM

    Most dogs (and cats!) like to be around their owners. They get lonely just like us. they can also feel the cold (especially if they have short hair) Hypothermia can affect animals as well as humans.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:58 PM

    This is a link to SPCA site who’s rehoming policy states that adopted dogs must live inside as part of the family , no outside kennels. – http://roscommonspca.ie/dogs/

    John and Sean they would not allow you to adopt a dog and rightly so in my view.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 5:59 PM

    My dog is not going to and never has suffered from hypothermia. A shed is adequately warm in Ireland for the majority of the year.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 6:07 PM

    Sure Ill just adopt from the place I did before and they are fully aware of where my dog is kept and they thought it was a fine place.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 6:24 PM

    John are you not concerned that the SPCA do not think you are a suitable person to own a dog?

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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 6:31 PM

    Amongst our collection of ‘rescues’ we have a Rotti and a GS and I can only imagine the face of one of those ethnic burglars that are so beloved of our do-gooders when they find the dogs inside the house and not locked away in a shed.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 6:36 PM

    @ david/meow
    I guess you should make a complaint to the ispca/dspca then about my cruel detention and conditions of what where originally wild animals but dont tell them you also detain originally wild animals unless yours are special,if you want I can supply you the details of both dog rescue centers that handed over both my dogs to me that would be the dspca. .

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 6:49 PM

    Homo sapiens were originally Neanderthals .Do you want to live in a cave? We domesticated dogs and now they are our responsibility. They crave our attention and companionship and you deny them.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:02 PM

    @ david
    Making silly assumptions based on one bit of information is not wise at all and suggests those making the assumptions are very ignorant to say the least,im glad you love animals so much but its a bit like a murderer condemning a murderer,we both have what once where wild animals so if you want the moral high ground release your pets back to the wild as they did not ask or consent to you domesticating them and then you can try to look down your nose like heather/meow and all the other wonderful people,until then davey boy as the man says you is a hypocrite my boy lol!!

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:17 PM

    Utter rubbish about climatisation. Along with Bernese we also kept beagles and although indoor family pets they were frequently out hunting for hours in foot deep snow. No bother on them even if they were kept indoors otherwise. Dogs have been bred with specific coat types and although your collie may have been able to survive the cold weather the same cannot be said for a single coated yorkie.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:25 PM

    Sean , this is from the DSPCA website – NB! We at the DSPCA advise all dogs have access to the family home and should not be left outside.
    As for the other stuff your posting it sounds a bit deranged . Lol, know what I’m saying buddy.

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:28 PM

    You’re missing my point. I have always had animals and I work daily with animals, I’m not a vegetarian and I’d be the first to tell people to treat the dog like a dog and not a human. But they should be made part of the daily family life so that they learn to interact appropriately, especially with children around. And dogs have been bred into so many breeds that you cannot simplify them by saying they descend from the wild. Dogs have been domesicated for tens of thousands of years and very few of our breeds would survive in the wild today. And you have to consider breed specifics. Although a huskey can survive a blizzard, they require hours of exercise to be happy. So is it fair to keep them stuck out in the back garden? I’d rather you kept it in and gave it some well deserved mushing when you got home from work. Too many people have dogs left out in small gardens in huaing estates, not providing for their needs. You can insulate their kennel as much as you want but if you don’t provide more than a warm kennel and food I really don’t see the point.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:37 PM

    @ david

    Truth doesnt sit well with you davey boy,recommend a website and disregard the rest,great stuff buddy,fully aware of dspca got both dogs from them and had a purpose built dog run ready when getting the first fella,complemented on it actually,oh the ramblings of the hypocrites.know what im saying lol!!!

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:41 PM

    Since you insist on calling dogs wild and saying they’d survive the wild here’s a history lesson for your sorry arse. Dogs were domesticated 15000 years ago so no, we cannot simply release them back to the wild. This is because when domesticated, we purposely bred wolf descendants that had few or no wild traits. Fast track 15000 years and the dog is the most genetically diverese animal that we keep for company. So please stop this whole wild thing and come up with a better argument for keeping your poor moggy isolated out the back.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:47 PM

    @ ingela
    Dont make assumptions about others ingela ,that good oul chestnut,I work with animals,it doesnt mean you know it all,i work with all kinds of wildlife,are you telling me dogs can not be happy outside and remember you only know they dont live in the house with me nothing more before you answer the question,making assumptions as I previously said knowing only one bit of information thats just plain stupid if you ask me,if you do in fact work with domestic animals then you should know that animals can be happy in both situations and to suggest otherwise is just dishonest.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:52 PM

    Sean , did you read what the DSPCA have to say ? Not only are your dogs kept outside but you keep them in a cage outside? All this talk of releasing dogs into the wild is pure bullshít you must know that. I’m not dodging the issues or making assumptions. You have hung yourself and your legs are flailing in the air.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:56 PM

    @ ingela

    The pure ignorance of you is laughable,please do your self a favour for pitty sake lol!!
    So pets kept in back gardens are neglected,isolated,mistreated etc etc lol!! My o’ my you work with animals how in gods name,I feel for you honestly I do,I dont think ive come across anyone so narrow minded and ignorant ever,please please release yourself from your cardboard box my sweet sweet child.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:00 PM

    Sean if all else fails try a bit of condescension.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:03 PM

    @ david

    Lol!! A cage oh please buddy stop I cant laugh anymore my stomach hurts,a purpose bulit run to house the dogs or if we want to sound posh sheltered accommodation, dont need to check the site buddy well aware of the dspca work closely with them and again got both dogs from them,keep making assumptions my friend if it makes you feel better.

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:08 PM

    Dogs are social animals and we have deliberately bred them to be our companions. I don’t care if you have a five star condo for your dogs or, like my old neighbours, a tarpaulin and a few stakes. Dogs need and crave our company, to deprive them if that for the majority of the day is not fair. All research show that dogs suffer when left alone for extended periods of time, indoor or outdoor. Can you, Sean, honestly say you spend as much time as you can socialising with your dog or do they get a quick walk around the block after work and maybe a quick scratch behind the ear when being fed and spend the rest of the time out the back? As you can see, it’s not the housing you provide that I oppose but the fact that you are depriving an animal that you’ve taken responsibility of from a proper and natural social structure. If you’re gonna go making claims you should maybe start reading a dog behaviour book instead of listing off old and worn homespun truths.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:20 PM

    @ ingela
    Maybe you should answer that question yourself ingela seems as you think you know everything about me and the welfare of my animals,I really feel sorry for you your ignorance is truly astounding, depriving my animals and all that baloney you get all your info from the fact I simply have my animals live outside in my back garden WOW!! I guess you told me,il expect the dspca will be knocking down my door lol!!

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:22 PM

    Sean , you don’t treat your dogs well by keeping them outside in a five star cage. Not an assumption , a fact. This is against the ethos of the DSPCA your best buds apparently. I see you have upped your condescension to patronisation with a dash of disingenuous loling.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:25 PM

    @ david
    Its better than hypocrisy davey boy lol!!

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:29 PM

    At what point did I say mistreated? Ignored yes and neglected implored. But please refrain from the condescending tone , it does not become you and makes your arguments seem a bit on the thin side. I always find people turning to means of provocation and belitteling techniques when they are running out of arguments. I’m sure if you were less politically correct you could also stoop to making more remarks about my gender…or maybe my nationality.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:33 PM

    Sean , you mean like “working closely” with an organisation who’s stated ethos would not approve of you owning a dog at all. That kind of hypocrisy. Or do you mean the kind of hypocrisy that involves logical fallacies.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:34 PM

    @ david
    Best buds more assumptions you never cease to amaze me,well davey boy what can I say you and ingela obviously know everything there is to know about animal welfare and the awlfull cruelty people like myself force upon these poor animals,I hang my head in shame lol!!! I will contact the dspca forthwith and surrender myself and my animals at once,we must all come together and rise up against those pet owners who dont let their animals live indoors or stay at home with them fulltime,shame on us all,god save us lol!!

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:41 PM

    @ ingela

    Isn’t it you bringing your nationality etc etc into this not me but then again you like to make assumptions based on nothing why not try pull out the racism card out of nothing aswell,good whatever yourself as I dare not say your assumed gender for fear of being discriminatory. Amazed again all race and gender stuff from a pet debate WOW WOW and WOW again.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:48 PM

    @ david
    Nope davey boy just gud oul plain hypocrisy, but I work with them regularly regarding wildlife etc but you should contact them and express your disgust at them allowing me to rescue two dogs from them lol!! have to say you crack me up buddy you really do.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 8:54 PM

    Sean , you are such a drama queen , raising everything to hysterical levels. ” best buds” was my attempt at sarcasm obviously went a bit whoosh. At least it gave you a chance to write assumption again.

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:01 PM

    @ david
    Dont you know assumptions and hypocrisy are my two favourite words followed by ingela and david.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:06 PM

    I assumed (Lol) that it would be OUT!

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:15 PM

    @ david

    Lol!! I love it especially OUT!!
    Ah you crack me up I’ll even give you a green thumb just for that.

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:17 PM

    Take three deep breaths seanie dear and when you’ve calmed down maybe you can answer the question I posed earlier. How much of your time do you spend with your dogs? That is my only gripe having your dog outside, the lack of social interaction and integration.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:27 PM

    @ ingela

    In out in out in out,ah there better,thanks for that ingela dear nothing like good advice from the wise ones,I myself working included possibly 10 hrs with one dog whilst the second dog possibly 4 hours is that okay with you,do I have your consent to this ingela dear lol!! Do you care to share your timings with your pets seems as we are being so open,not that I care but go on entertain me,go on go on go on.

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:40 PM

    Well the dogs are never left for more than 4 hrs so make that 20hrs a day that they have company and social interaction. Is that sufficient for you? I think your defensive attitude is getting a bit tiresome by now so I’ll leave it here. You are yet to come up with one single solid argument or evidence as to why your dogs are happy outdoors and why the rest of us with a different opinion are so wrong.

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:41 PM

    Isnt silence wonderful

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:52 PM

    @ ingela

    Ingela my dear I dont think anyone is wrong for keeping their pets inside it was heather who criticised others for not keeping their pets indoors and yourself, I think people should do what they want concerning their pets along as it not harmful to their pets you just made assumptions about my animals welfare,its interesting you no longer have anything to say on this now that you know I spend time with my pets,interesting indeed,did you expect me to say an hour a day because you assumed so,the fact is my pets are also working dogs always at my side but they live outdoors so when not with me or working they can play and just be dogs,as said previously assumptions are often wrong because all they are is assumptions and nothing more.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:03 PM

    Ah Sean sorry I was away so I missed a lot, seems that you and me are not allowed to defend our stances. Both our dogs are rescues, and both of us have been screened and the welfare of our dogs monitored, and we have passed. But some people here don’t want to accept that.

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:07 PM

    David, I’m not worried about something that the SPCA are not worried about. They have seen where my dog is kept and are not worried that I do not allow a dog to sit on my sofa and watch TV with me. And seeing as how the SPCA regularly call to me looking to find someones house(I live in the countryside and the local SPCA doent know my part of their coverage area too well) and they see the condition my dog lives in, and still no complaints.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:11 PM

    @ john
    Ah you know yourself john,some people just like to dictate to others because they have feck all else to do.

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    Mute Ingela Ericsson
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:17 PM

    Sean. I think you and I got off on the wrong foot. You automatically lumped me in with Heather when I attacked your arguments and yes, I accused you of neglecting your dogs when you failed to tell me that they were working dogs. But in a country where backyard kept dogs is the norm you cannot blame me for assuming they were not getting much interaction. We put Jack, lucky and Molly down on a weekly basis at work simply because they were bought as pups and then left to mind their own business out in the back garden until they either bit a child, owner got fed up with them or they spent all day and night barking. On the other hand, I find leaving your dog locked up all alone indoors for ten hours while you’re at work equally cruel so unless people have the time I wouldn’t recommend anyone getting a dog.

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:18 PM

    @ Sean, Ingela

    Wow that escalated quickly, did I miss something, why is the sexism/racism suddenly been thrown around….

    I had thought we were all being speciest …

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:26 PM

    @ john

    Yeah I dont know where that racism/sexist stuff was coming from but neither was I going to entertain it,well I dont think anyone could say we dont care about our pets no matter what side of the debate we held lol!!

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:27 PM

    Ah Sean I so do agree with you. And I like the lack of apology that you got from Ingela, who has attacked you for the last few hours, for no other reason than the fact that she can.

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:32 PM

    Ah Sean, its an age old debate, with neither being right or wrong. But I love how no one above seems to have an issue with leaving a dog alone inside for hours on end.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:34 PM

    @ ingela
    Its really no ones bussiness what we do with our pets except our own,I didnt make assumptions about people keeping pets indoors you youse made them about others without sounding like nah nah nah nah nah,I did warn both yourself and david several times about assumptions,my dogs are highly trained well cared for pest control sniffer dogs and damn good at their job too,but anyway all said and done now,all the best.

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:40 PM

    @ john
    Very true john,I could feel the sincerity beaming through,yeah your right too about them being locked in doors,im okay I get to work with my dogs what aboth the rest its a double edged sword either way really unless you are at home 24/7,all the best john.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 10:41 PM

    “About”

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:01 PM

    Sean , As I have repeated ad nauseam my problem is you keep your dogs outside. No amount of supercilious responses from you is going to change that. When the working day is done you are inside , the dogs are outside.
    John I don’t know why the SPCA state that they dislike people keeping dogs outside and then condone it.
    I’m sure your dogs are better off than a lot of dogs we all see around. I don’t think you would bother posting otherwise .
    Why don’t you bring your dogs inside? Not dictating , not assuming , asking you to do right by animals that would do anything for you.

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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:07 PM

    Again David, I have no wish to bring my dogs inside. They have all they need bar a tv outside.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:16 PM

    You ” have no wish” perhaps that’s the problem. I think it is a truism that you can judge people by how they treat animals.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:19 PM

    So I treat my Animals very well, I just don’t allow them inside. So I am judged well. Thanks

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:25 PM

    I hope you treat your animals well generally. The fact that you keep them outside is not reassuring.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 11:44 PM

    The fact that someone keeps them inside is no more reassuring than someone who keeps them outside.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 23rd 2014, 12:00 AM

    @ david

    Well we better bring our dogs in because davey boy is not dictating blah blah but just asking us to do the right thing lol!! Davey boy, i said it once i’ll say it again you crack me up lol! Best of luck buddy I is as the man says “BORED”

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    Mute Brendan Julian
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 9:18 AM

    I guess that must be a house garden with the net still attached to posts so how long was the Fox there before the family actually looked out there window ffs

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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:37 PM

    Months back I posted a comment on how I was preparing for a bad winter and managed to slip in a bit about looking after our pets be they in the house or visiting wildlife so for what it’s worth have you stocked up? Most of us will look after our domestic pets without any lecture from the likes of me but I noticed that sometimes dog food can run low in the shops at Christmas as they use the space for seasonal stuff and so I now keep a month stock in. Dog food is also my emergency ration for injured wild life and has helped us to nurse bats, hedgehogs and many birds and send them back out when they recovered from whatever brought them to us in the first place. I found a hedgehog on the doorstep during the really hard winter of 2010 and he settled in to a little nest we made in the corner, fed him on dog food and he was not a bit bothered by our dogs after they had all had a sniff at him. He went off in the spring when he felt it time to go and never even sent us a card. You will find creatures out of hibernation or exhausted by hunger and don’t be afraid to try to help, plenty of folks around to give advice.I was astonished to see a fox living happily with all the dogs etc in the Ash Rescue Centre, Rene there sure has his hands full and maybe you could put them on your gift list r indeed toy local centre ;-)

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 2:54 PM

    Good advice.

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    Mute smithsinireland
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:19 PM

    Haven’t giggled so much as I have just now after reading all these comments. Guys, no matter how you think your dogs should be kept – albeit inside or out, – as long as they are loved, have a full tummy and are toasty and warm, what does it matter? My two boys, a wheaten terrier and a bouvier, live inside with us but that’s because we like it and they are used to it that way. There is no right or wrong way just the way that suits you as an individual/family.

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    Mute Sean Beinead
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 7:29 PM

    Spot on

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    Mute Jennie
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    Nov 23rd 2014, 4:13 AM

    Jesus these comments go on a bit!
    It doesn’t matter where you keep your animals so long as they are well cared for. Some choose to keep working animals. Some choose to have pets. Both are content. The only way it can be cruel is if you throw a dog who has acclimatised to living Indoors out into a kennel on a cold/wet night.

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    Mute Deirdre Murphy
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    Nov 24th 2014, 11:55 AM

    I would look at the indoor v outdoor more on a social level rather than a comfort level. Personally I have a small dog (Jack Russell) because I would prefer to keep it in the house as part of the home . I could not fathom sitting watching T.V in my warm and cosy livingroom while my little dog was outside alone . I enjoy his company and all he wants is my company so it’s a no brainer really . I accept that people have different opinions on the welfare of their pets and that’s healthy as long as the welfare of the pet is the issue . If the argument is “my dog is well fed and housed and I take it to the vet when necessary ” then I am confused as to why one would have a dog at all . I really am confused as that sounds like a lot of trouble and expense and for what ? Personally I feel that a dog needs to be taken out for a couple of hours every day and alowed run free,sniff,interact with other dogs/people .This is when they are at their happiest. Luckily I live near a beach and park where this is possible and I have a very happy little dog as a consequence. I have issues with well meaning owners who keep their little dogs on a lead and shorten the lead when they see another dog coming . This is cruel ,just as cruel as leaving the dog alone for hours,in my opinion. The dogs natural instinct is to run and play with other dogs ,surely they should be allowed ? I better get off the soap box as I do not wish to antagonise any of you fellow dogsters! P.S I had no interest at all in dogs until I was presented with a 12 week old bundle almost 3 years ago. Now I am a huge fan and a bit of a softy when it comes to the very vunerable,domesticated cute and not so cute doggies. Happy Christmas all .Deirdre

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    Mute Ciara Murray
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    Nov 22nd 2014, 3:06 PM

    Let’s get back to giving out about Irish water! :)

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