Five puppies ‘cowardly’ dumped in Longford

Five puppies were “cowardly” dumped across various locations in Longford earlier this month.

It happened on March 11 when the ISPCA received a call from a member of the public to their helpline informing them a number of puppies were on the loose in the area.

ISPCA Senior Inspector Karen Lyons arrived on the scene shortly after and discovered a four-month-old puppy, later called Stefan, deep in a hedge and got him to safety.

Members of the public then contained three other pups and, after a two-day search, the fifth puppy was found “cowering and distressed” in the area.

The remaining puppies were called Bonnie, Hope, Klaus, and Samon – and all have been brought to the ISPCA’s National Animal Centre.

Inspector Lyons said it appeared they had been dumped by the one individual.

“There was such a vast distance where the puppies were first spotted, that it would appear someone went along the road and periodically let the pups out, one-by-one and drove off,” she said.

“This illegal dumping of dogs and puppies must stop, it’s cruel, inhumane, and extremely cowardly.”

Inspector Lyons thanked locals for their assistance during the rescue and urged the public not to abandon animals and to consider other options first.

“I don’t understand why the owner didn’t reach out and ask for help," she said.

“Although every Centre is full of dogs, they could have been put on a waitlist or help given to arrange rehoming directly from the owner, and more effort from the owner could have been made, to find them new homes.

“It’s evident to me that the puppies were surplus to requirement, and it is symptomatic of the situation with dogs throughout Ireland at present.”

Inspector Lyons added that there are always other solutions and the ISPCA will now go about finding the pups “loving new homes”.

This Saturday (March 22) is National Puppy Day and the ISPCA are asking anyone who may wish to make a donation to their charity to do so by visiting www.ispca.ie

They are also asking anyone with any information on the origin of the above pups to contact them on their helpline (0818 515 515) or by email (helpline@ispca.ie).