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Dog hacked to death with axe on Valentine's Day

North Wexford SPCA said it was one of the “most brutal” cases of violence against an animal the group has seen.

AN ANIMAL WELFARE group has called for action following the death of a terrier dog who was hacked to death with an axe by its owner at a property in Wexford on Valentine’s Day. The man later told inspectors that he was trying to put the dog down.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Colin Webb, Chairman of North Wexford SPCA said the organisation got a call on its emergency hotline on 14 February to a housing estate where they were told a dog was being attacked.

A female inspector, dropped by on her way from another call where Webb said the man made violent threats against her. The gardaí were called to the scene and negotiated with the owner for the dog to be taken away.

“It was still breathing at that point, only slightly though, and we knew he was practically dead at that stage,” Webb said. The dog was taken to the local veterinary clinic but died in the car on the way.

“We haven’t got the full report yet but the initial inspection shows the dog had a fractured skull, punctured ribs, multiple broken bones and a broken skull,” Webb said. “You can see from the photos we took that the axe went right into the dog’s head.”

Images seen by TheJournal.ie are too graphic to publish but they show serious slashes to the dog’s head and face as well as a number of puncture wounds.

Webb said this is one of the worst and “most brutal” cases of violence against an animal he has ever seen. “In terms of hostility against inspectors it’s the most serious threat we’ve seen as well, she was very shocked by it,” he said.

The owner of the dog told inspectors that he was trying to put it down but Webb said any unwanted dog can be surrendered to the local dog warden “without any hassle”, and when that option is available, it is “incomprehensible as why this pet owner felt this was an appropriate action”.

The incident was reported to gardaí and Webb said they are investigating the incident. “We want to see a prosecution on this,” he said. “We’re hoping that gardaí will secure a successful prosecution – the gardaí here are very good to us and they take these matters seriously. But we’ve been to court before and the cases have gone nowhere – it’s just so hard to get a conviction.”

Webb said the animal welfare group is “not confident” of a conviction and that they are frequently “frustrated with the law” around animal cruelty.

Read: Animal rights groups condemn ‘brutal attack’ on fox in Laois>
IN PICTURES: Taylor the puppy settling into his forever home after cruel ordeal>

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    Mute hide&Seek
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    Mar 5th 2013, 9:06 PM

    how traggic RIP , thoughts are with his family…

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    Mute Bernadette Dunne
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    Mar 5th 2013, 9:14 PM

    Very sad news another industrial accident May he rest in peace and deepest condolences to his family and friends and colleagues. And may his colleague that was with him be given help and support at this time

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    Mute Raymond Depuis
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    Mar 5th 2013, 9:28 PM

    Rip

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    Mute Tom Keating
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    Mar 5th 2013, 9:33 PM

    RIP

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    Mute Emma jane
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    Mar 5th 2013, 10:33 PM

    May he rest in peace the poor man and may his colleague get all the help he needs…., very sad

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    Mute Tom Sweeney
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    Mar 5th 2013, 10:35 PM

    Rest in peace

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    Mute Patrick O Connor
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    Mar 6th 2013, 12:14 AM

    RIP

    What’s the story with the red thumbs here? Shameful.

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    Mute Anne Fitzpatrick
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    Mar 5th 2013, 11:05 PM

    RIP.

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    Mute AdeleM
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    Mar 5th 2013, 11:15 PM

    Very sad news! R.I.P.

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    Mute James Lane
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    Mar 6th 2013, 1:16 AM

    Patrick just goes to show the world is full Od idiots.

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    Mute Daire Calnan
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    Mar 6th 2013, 1:27 AM

    I really don’t think its appropriate to have #cherrypicker as a tag. Can you remove this out of respect for the family. RIP

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    Mute Tom Collins
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    Mar 6th 2013, 1:29 PM

    Awful. My thoughts are with his family

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