A spokesperson for Dogs Trust told TheJournal.ie that this is a good example of what is happening in pounds all over the country and many dog welfare groups have said Christmas dumping of dogs has already started.

Kathrina Bentley, who is the charity’s head of marketing, said this is the reason Dogs Trust was established – to take in dogs from the pound who are effectively “on death row”.

Some 5,500 dogs are destroyed in Ireland each year – 15 dogs a day – which Bentley said is extremely high when compared to somewhere like Scotland where the number is just 500.

“It’s mostly careless owners and people still think of them as being disposable items,like a handbag,” she said. On just one day in early January, 22 people surrendered their dogs to the charity, which never destroys a healthy dog.

Christmas

This year, Bentley said there was a shift in the trend with more people abandoning their dogs before Christmas than after. “Lots of people were getting rid of their one-year-old dog from the year before,” she explained.

The charity’s kennels have been overwhelmed in the last month and are now full to capacity.

“If we had the space, we’d certainly be helping them in Monaghan but we have a waiting list after Christmas from other pounds,” she said. “My heart bleeds when I see these things.”

Offers to take any – or all (we were tempted) – of these dogs can be made by calling 042 9664236/087 9634121 or by email to carrickdogshelter@hotmail.com. If a firm commitment is made to take them, they can be held until the weekend for collection.

Read: Dog welfare group say Christmas dumping of dogs has already started>