GARDAI QUIZ STAFF IN DOG HOME PROBE
Investigation into claims animalsagreement died after getting sedation drugs
STAFF at Ashton Dog Pound have been questioned by gardai probing allegations of animal cruelty.
Earlier this week, a number of employees at the West Dublin facility were quizzed at the Bridewell Garda station as part of an investigation which started in July 2020.
Last summer, officers were called in to investigate whether unauthorised veterinary drugs were used to sedate and euthanise dogs at the pound.
A source said: “Staff were brought in one by one and questioned about a number of incidents. This is a complex investigation.”
The facility operates a dog warden service for the greater Dublin area and is used by all four local authorities in the capital.
The inquiry followed claims from a member of staff that controlled drugs were being used to sedate animals, allegedly causing them to die in pain.
A whistleblower also alleged that a dog brought in with severe scalding injuries was left whimpering without treatment before being euthanised.
Last July, the pound was searched by a team of gardai who seized bottles of pentobarbital sodium, a controlled drug used by vets to euthanise animals.
Computers and documents were also taken from the facility, and officers removed five dead dogs for autopsy.
A garda spokesperson told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “This matter remains the subject of an ongoing investigation. There are no further updates at this time.” South Dublin County Council’s
with the pound expired in December and was temporarily extended until February 3.
Dublin City Council pays €277,000 a year for Ashton’s services, and its current contract expires on June 30, 2021.
Fingal County Council said it has provided €301,000 for services in 2021 and new tender documents were being prepared ahead of summer 2021.
A spokesperson for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in south Dublin said its vets carried out “regular unannounced inspections of the pound (at a minimum monthly)”.
It added: “None of these inspections have revealed any issues regarding the welfare of dogs in the pound.
Ashton Pound said it is “currently co-operating with a Garda investigation in relation to an accusation regarding a specific claim”.
The statement added that it operates “within all current welfare standards and best practices”.