Neglected dogs saved from almost certain death by ISPCA
SOCIETY CHIEF SAYS INSPECTORS AND CARERS ‘STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT’ RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY CALLS DURING LOCK-DOWN
A PAIR of severely emaciated dogs found living in ‘complete squalor’ in a Cork house were mere days from death when rescued by an ISCPA inspector.
The German Shepard and Japanese Akita were found at the house in the greater north Cork area by senior inspector Lisa O’Donovan following a call of the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty (1890 515515) helpline by a concerned member of the public.
Lisa told The Corkman that when she called to the house both animals were in a perilous state of health.
“They were living in complete squalor. There was no evidence of food or water present and their living area was in a dreadful condition,” she said.
Lisa seized the dogs under the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act (2013) and immediately took them to a veterinary practice for urgent attention.
“I was extremely concerned about the welfare of both dogs in particular the German shepherd dog, later called Foxy. She was in a collapsed state and extremely weak and skeletal. She was very subdued and I was really worried that she wasn’t going to make it. Carrying Foxy’s frail limp body to my vehicle is a harrowing memory that will stay with me for a very long time.”
The vet who treated the dogs said both were dangerously dehydrated.
Foxy was also anaemic and the prognosis was, in the words of Lisa “not looking good”.
“She received emergency supportive therapy to rehydrate her and to reverse hypothermia. The vet’s opinion was that she would not have survived much longer. The other dog, Kiba, was also in very poor condition and the foul odour coming from both dogs was putrid,” said Lisa.
Both dogs received vital veterinary treatment and subsequently transported to an ISPCA animal centre for care and rehabilitation.
“Its difficult to put into words the relief I feel at being able to save Foxy and Kiba. It was extremely distressing to see them living in such awful conditions, knowing that if Foxy had been left there a little bit longer there was no way she would have survived,” said Lisa.
“They are both thriving and making full recoveries thanks to the dedication and compassion who have been working with them since they were rescued. They are doing really well and will be available for re-homing in the near future.”
Meanwhile, the ISPCA has said their inspectors and carers have been “stretched to their limit” responding to emergency calls in recent weeks, with the society appealing for donations from the public to help fund their efforts.
“Our animal carers are busy caring for hundreds of vulnerable animals in our rescue centres during these difficult times. Many more vulnerable animals will need to be rescued and cared for at our centres and will need to stay with us for a longer period of time during lock-down before they can be lovingly re-homed,” said ISPCA chief inspector Conor Dowling.
“If you have already been in touch with a donation to support our work, thank you so much. For more information about the ISPCA’s work, to report animal cruelty or make a donation if you can, please visit our website at www.ispca.i.e,” he added.