Animal rescue volunteers concerned at level of abuse

By Maurice Garvey

ANIMAL rescue volunteers are deeply concerned at the level of abuse taking place across the county in recent weeks, highlighting the need for communities to be on high alert in the lead-up to Halloween.

In the last week alone, three disturbing cases of animal cruelty have been reported in Tallaght, Clondalkin and Ballyfermot.

A firework was strapped to a kitten’s tail in Tallaght and set alight over the weekend.

On Monday, a badly disfigured foal was rescued from a notorious patch of land at Fonthill, known as the killing fields, while in Ballyfermot there were reports of a pony being dragged and whipped by up to seven youths in Le Fanu Park.

The Echo has reported multiple cases of animal abuse over the years – horrific for the poor animals, and for the handful of volunteer groups trying to protect them in difficult circumstances.

On Sunday, Clondalkin Animal Aid got a call from a concerned resident in Brookview, who found a feral cat in her back garden.

Volunteers brought the kitten to the vet – at their own cost – but it had to be put down.

“The only consolation is that the kitten didn’t have to suffer any longer,” said the distraught volunteer.

Meanwhile, My Lovely Horse received a call about the foal on Monday.

In a statement, MLH said: “Once again, Fonthill, (Clonburris Little) proves to be a hell-hole for abandoned animals.

“This poor little four-month-old is suffering with severe cuts, a huge gaping wound on his knee that is badly infected, along with another on his shoulder. Someone is accountable for this.”

Volunteer groups have called for stricter enforcement of animal protection laws by authorities, and for communities to be more pro-active in highlighting local cases of abuse, particularly with Halloween around the corner.

One volunteer The Echo spoke to said they called gardaí after witnessing the pony being whipped by youths in Le Fanu Park earlier this week.

“They said they could see it on CCTV when I rang, but nobody arrived out,” said the volunteer.

Clondalkin Animal Aid have issued a fresh appeal for foster homes, to help alleviate the burden in their own homes.

They are looking for a foster home for Bear, an affectionate four-year-old American Staffie, who is neutered, house-trained, but because of his strength, it is suggested he goes to a home with older children.

Bobby, a male Jack Russell approximately four- to five-year-old, is suitable for young children.

Anyone interested, can contact CAA on 085 2212623 or 058 2803408.