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Read some of the great experiences some of our pets and their new owners have had!

Dog discovered tied to a gate trying to nurse six new born puppies in Roscommon

6th November 2019

A lurcher dog was found nursing her six new born puppies yesterday while chained to a gate in a field in Co. Roscommon.  A kind-hearted member of the public discovered them and alerted the Gardaí and the ISPCA.

The dog and her puppies were transported to the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford for urgent veterinary assessment and apart from being cold and hungry, they do not appear to have any health issues.  It is unclear how long they had been left alone in the field.  They are being closely monitored in ISPCA care.

ISPCA Centre Manager Hugh O’Toole said:  “Leaving a young dog only two years old tied up without water, food or shelter most definitely put her along with her young puppies’ lives at risk.  We are urging pet owners to spay or neuter their pets as early as possible to reduce the high number of unwanted animals. I don’t understand how anyone can think it is okay to leave a dog tied to a gate to nurse her puppies.  With the recent level of rainfall and cold weather this week, the outcome could have been very different and I’m happy we were alerted so we could help them”.

Hugh added:  “The dog was scanned for a chip to trace her owner but unfortunately she was not microchipped which, is a legal requirement. Our Centres’ are constantly full to capacity and with very limited resources, we sometimes have had to use private boarding kennels to help the number of animals waiting to come in, once space becomes available. It can also take time to find good responsible homes for the many animals in our care".

The ISPCA is urging pet owners to consider the positive benefits of neutering/spaying their pets and to talk to their vet as soon as possible. It also prevents accidental litters of puppies or kittens being born in the first place.

The dog has been named Emmy Lou and her little puppies are Billy Ray, Dixie, Dolly, Dotty, June and Patsy.  They will remain in ISPCA care until the New Year when they will be old enough to be responsibly rehomed. 

If you can support the ISPCA by making a life saving donation to help the animals in our care, please make a kind donation here 

Anybody with any information is asked to contact the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline in confidence on 1890 515 515 or report online here