Helpless pup ‘thrown out’ for bin collection
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Armagh City and District Council’s dog warden Elaine Mitchell (left) and rehoming officer Sarah Wright with Blue, the merle Collie pup which was
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MELANIE SIMMONS
A HELPLESS nine-week-old pup has been rescued after being cruelly dumped in a brown bin.
The grim discovery was made last week by Armagh Council's dog warden Elaine Mitchell - and she's now desperately trying to find out what has happened to the rest of the litter.
The merle Collie pup - dubbed 'Blue' by Elaine - had been thrown into a recycling bin which had been left out for collection in a housing estate in the district.
He was in a very poor condition, and needed urgent medical attention.
Elaine told the Ulster Gazette that the discovery had been heartbreaking, but luckily he was found in time.
“We received a complaint from a member of the public early last week, and were led to the estate, where the member of the public who had contacted us had taken Blue from inside a brown bin," she said.
“Because he is so young he had to be treated by a vet, and he was completely covered in fleas and ticks. But we're lucky that we got to him in time - I can't even bear to think what might have happened if we hadn't been so quick.
“He's an absolutely beautiful dog, and quite a rare Collie breed, so obviously I'm keen to know what happened to the rest of the litter - there have to be more pups out there, and someone's bound to know about them.
“They too may need urgent medical attention because they're still very young - or it may already be too late."
Happily, Blue has already been successfully rehomed, but he's one of the lucky ones.
Elaine says while kennel staff are committed to rehoming as many puppies and dogs as possible, they urgently need the help of the public. "Very often we find litters of pups abandoned, or older dogs dumped, but the Dog Warden Service can take animals to the pound and give them a second chance. Anyone finding themselves in a situation with an unwanted dog or pups should contact 3752 9623."
The dog warden is also urging anyone prepared to give a dog a chance of life to consider one from the kennels. Details of dogs currently needing rehoming are available at www.armagh.gov.uk, while the kennels are open Monday to Friday between 9am and 10am, and between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Monday and Thursday. Appointments can also be made by telephoning 3752 9623.
