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German Shepherd dog discovered by ISPCA in Clare. The dog had to be put down. Ennis Dog Pound/Facebook

'In my 23 years as a dog warden, I've never seen such a horrendous act of animal cruelty'

The German Shepherd had to be put down. Warning: Images are graphic.

GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING a case of animal cruelty in County Clare where a German Shepherd dog was discovered close to death.

After an examination from a vet it was decided that it was best the dog to be put down as his condition were so severe.

The ISPCA received an anonymous call and last Monday the local gardaí and the dog warden for Clare, Frank Coote, attended a house to investigate.

Coote said that when they got to the yard where the dog was found, the smell was so bad, he thought the dog was dead.

Covered in dirt 

“When I lifted the dog from the ground I’m sorry to say parts of the dog stayed on the ground. The dog was covered in his own dirt, he had not moved from that spot in the corner for 6-8 weeks,” he said.

WARNING: Images below the broken line are graphic and may be upsetting 

———————————————————————————–

Ennis Dog Pound - WARNING ANIMAL CRUELTY!! THESE PICTURES... | Facebook Ennis Pound / Facebook Ennis Pound / Facebook / Facebook

Ennis Dog Pound - WARNING ANIMAL CRUELTY!! THESE PICTURES... | Facebook Ennis Pound / Facebook Ennis Pound / Facebook / Facebook

Horrendous treatment 

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Coote said:

In my 23 years as Clare dog warden, I have never seen anything as horrendous.

He said that even removing the dog from the scene was excruciating for the animal as was the assessment.

Five kilogrammes of excrement was “stuck on” to the dog alone, explained Coote,adding that his body was a skeleton.

“I believe the dog had been eaten alive by rats and maggots, there was no way this dog could be saved and he had to be put to sleep on vets advice,” said Coote.

“What shocked me was how kind the dog was. Even when we tried to remove him and he was in pain, he just showed kindness,” he said. “It is just unbelievable that anyone can treat an animal in this way,” he said.

Never happen again 

He said that highlighting a story like this may stop something similar happening again and might encourage people to come forward if they have concerns about an animal in someone’s care.

“We are depending on people to make reports. This case was from someone picking up the phone and calling. This person clearly had concerns for this poor dog. It is important that if you have any doubts or fears about the treatment of an animal to call the ISPCA,” said Coote.

While he said that the call did not save the dog in the end, it is his believe that the dog was strong and would have stayed alive for another ten days or so in a miserable state.

Coote said that the gardaí carried out interviews at the home, adding:

Be assured that the person responsible for this crime will be prosecuted.

If you are concerned about the treatment of an animal, you can call the ISPCA hotline on 1890 515 515. 

Read: Man arrested after dog killed in Dublin field yesterday afternoon>

Read: Bin bag full of ‘cat heads’ found on the street in Manchester>

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141 Comments
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    Mute Tom Red
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:31 AM

    Name ,
    Shame
    And jail the Bast**d who did this…
    How could anyone do this to a man’s best friend?????…
    I’d love to met up with the “person” who did this…

    1792
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    Mute eftwopointoh
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:38 AM

    Absolutely, name and shame

    912
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    Mute thetruth
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:42 AM

    Get in the queue Tom. Filthy, disgusting human being. Jail them and name them. Full size picture in every paper

    796
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    Mute David Conroy
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:00 AM

    We could be talking mental health issues here. You could not be in your right mind to do this to any creature.

    176
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:10 AM

    They put down the wrong dumb animal.

    563
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    Mute mamaise
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:24 AM

    There is more chance of this man being sent to Mars than prison. €500 – €1000 fine, 3 months in default, and told he’s very bold, and ordered not to own a dog again…maybe at a push.

    301
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    Mute Cormac Ryan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:34 AM

    I always laugh when realistic posts have more red thumbs than green.

    The chances are that for a first time before a court the person will get a fine/donation to charity and maybe a conviction on his record, depending on how good his barrister is

    140
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    Mute Matt Connolly
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:20 PM

    Don’t name and shame, – It will lead to an acquittal.

    15
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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
    Favourite Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 25th 2014, 2:04 PM

    I would gladly pay the price in putting this horrendous piece of nothing down.. I would gladly serve time for that poor dog after what he had to endure. I regretfully doubt the owner will get any sentence near what he put that poor poor soul through. In my eyes he needs the exact same treatment as what he done but that won’t be the case unfortunately because somehow even the most vile disgusting people are considered human and therefore get the same rights as any kind decent person. Arghhhhhhhh

    114
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    Mute Mark Barker
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:53 PM

    Put the bas**** Down.

    61
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    Mute DiarmuidMurphy
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    Aug 25th 2014, 5:55 PM

    Agree with all the comments, just makes me sad and angry, I can’t even comprehend how someone can even do this, to look out their window everyday and look at this poor animal, if you don”t want it then hand it to animal care, or even let the dog walk out the front gate for fu*k sake!! Im sick to death of seeing animal cruelty in this Country not being treated harshly and with jail time.

    83
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    Mute lizzy
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    Aug 25th 2014, 6:59 PM

    Tenner says this savage will never serve a day in prison and will be given the full protection of the law should anyone try teach him a lesson. Law is a joke he will get a wrap on the knuckles and a fine which will probably cost the state thousands to pursue ! His fine should be minimum 50k given to ispca don’t care if he has to sell a kidney

    41
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    Mute YES Scotland
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    Aug 25th 2014, 7:13 PM

    Please find – name and prosecute these vile humans responsible.

    33
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    Mute Sean Sean
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    Aug 25th 2014, 9:49 PM

    I’ve always said, if you can hurt animal, you can hurt a human. The perpetrator is probably mentally ill or just sadistic, either way, he/she should be locked away somewhere for a long time.

    27
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    Mute Sean Mc Gowan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:35 PM

    German Shepard’s are my favourite breed! How anyone can do this to a dog as loyal, protective and intelligent is a disgrace! The person/people responsible should be sentenced to be used as bait for training dogs!

    Particularly defence dogs!

    14
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    Mute John Do
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:27 AM

    Put the owner down. Inhumane to treat any animal like that

    770
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    Mute Yvonne Smyth
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:23 PM

    Absolutely, there is no excuse for this, I don’t normally tear up reading The Journal but this is very upsetting, that poor dog, people who are capable of inflicting this horror on any animal have no place on this planet. If you don’t want to look after a pet then surrender them to someone who does, the fact that this dog showed kindness toward the warden just makes this even more heartbreaking.

    34
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    Mute HARRY MARKOPOLOS
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:54 PM

    There are a lot of dole scroungers collecting pet social welfare allowance and spending it on cans around.
    We reported a bunch of them recently in a housing estate.
    Poor dogs running wild around the estate whimpering and squealing as they starved to death.
    It would break your heart.
    Wardens office said they found a small dead dog in the back yard of the offenders house.
    No programs on TV like “my big fat dog abused animal graveyard” to expose the offenders though???
    The media’s too busy making celebrities out of these scallies.
    What does our “national broadcaster” have to say about this??

    13
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    Mute Fiona De Barra
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    Aug 26th 2014, 5:44 PM

    What’s a ‘pet social welfare allowance’? There is no such thing. Anyway, terrible case, there are too many like this and never get an appropriate punishment for the crime. The Animal Welfare Bill does not seem to be protecting Ireland’s animals….

    6
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    Mute HARRY MARKOPOLOS
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    Aug 27th 2014, 11:13 PM

    There is a social welfare allowance for owning a pet Fiona.
    €12 a week for a pet dog.
    Why do you think so many scallies own dogs?

    2
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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:27 AM

    He was eaten alive by rats and maggots. Jesus the poor boy :(

    712
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    Mute Dodima99
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:15 PM

    The scene in The Bone Collector where they find some guy cut and eaten alive by rats in a sewer comes to mind as apt punishment for this owner.

    I honestly believe whatever you do to your animal should be done to you as punishment.

    151
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    Mute irishbinka
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:30 AM

    And will they be imprisioned for animal cruelty? This is disgusting and shocking and I am ashamed of how my country folk can still mistreat animals. There needs to be justice in this country as there is too much animal abuse/bad treatment of animals and people get away with it. Name and shame, put them in prison, fine them (money goes to animal charity) and never let them have an animals again.

    412
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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
    Favourite Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:33 AM

    Thank you so much for covering this appalling story journal. This has been on Facebook the last week and never in my years in animal welfare have I seen such shocking pictures.. I cried myself to sleep at what that poor pet went through. Please Ireland start helping this appalling cruelty. It’s getting worse my heart is breaking everyday .. Tweet and email Simon coveney and his gang they have power to change but are ignoring very aspects of animal cruelty… So shameful and sad

    390
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    Mute Pat Mustard
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:30 AM

    According to Simon Coveney we don’t have a major animal welfare problem in this country…even though you here of shocking stories of animal welfare every week, especially to horses.

    155
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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:08 PM

    That ignorant man has a lot of blood and cruelty oh his hands. He has buried his head in the sand while thousands of poor animals have suffered terribly I tweet and email him everyday … I won’t stop! He is just interested in money …. I’m so angry in this hellhole

    95
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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:54 PM

    He is also guilty of shipping live cows overseas.. How horrific and scary.. Allows fur farms in Ireland.. Again how cruel… This abuse will continue so long as the government and society don’t care. No one sentenced to prison yet for animal cruelty. They get a two year ban from owning an animal…. ?? WTF a ban for a few years after committing an evil horrific crime …they’re actually allowed own an animal again.. I cannot stress enough how much people need to get behind this abuse. Only this week also a man battered a poor dog to death in front of the public… It’s getting all too frequent because people know not many people care.. Let’s start caring and standing up for the poor crators ….

    76
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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:06 PM

    Well said Shauna!

    32
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    Mute Torpedo
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:31 AM

    Words fail me, how could someone be so heartless and uncaring.

    305
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    Mute Peter Slattery
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:32 AM

    That’s horrific and ruined my morning. The owner of this poor animal should be dragged in front of the courts and thrown in prison. No fine, no banning of having animals. Prison time.

    267
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    Mute eftwopointoh
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:35 AM

    You can judge the morality of a nation by the way the society treats its animals.
    -Mahatma Gandhi

    This monster should receive punishment to suit the cruelty inflicted.

    230
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    Mute alan coffey
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:31 AM

    At Halloween young people torture and burn live animals to death and nothing, to my knowledge, ever happens to them !

    86
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    Mute Neville Sayers
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:32 AM

    No excuse for this…lets see how the courts treat the abuser? The person or people who did this cannot be called human!!!!!!

    153
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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:34 AM

    Also look up your local rescues and try help. They are over run with abandoned and abused animals and desperately need help so they can tackle cases like this. It’s heartbreaking in animal welfare. Heavy hearts every single day in this country

    152
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    Mute Lovely weather
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:48 AM

    Shauna, Simon Coveney is as good to animal welfare as an unregistered microchip is to helping a lost pet being reunited with its owner. He’s only interested in €€€. Sure isn’t he pushing for even more live exports of farm animals to the Middle East, where they face a long sad journey followed by a cruel death where they are killed using the Halal method, suffering greatly. Coveney, a man with no compassion. (As a side note, sat down for dinner last night at an Indian restaurant in South William street, 6 Dublin girls having dinner at the table next to me, ordering beef, lamb etc (All Halal meat). I wonder do they know or even care. When I realised it was Halal killed meat, I told the manager he wouldn’t be getting my business so I left. Down with intentional cruelty to animals, no matter what guise it’s under, religious or otherwise!

    82
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    Mute James Dolan 藍傑
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:14 PM

    Sorry but if you think animals killed in halal suffer more than the animals butchered in the mass death factories you’re probably just islamophobic. Do some actual research.

    42
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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:11 PM

    Simon coveney has zero empathy for animals.he has power for change and all he does is meet and greets. On his video blog he is proud that. 5000 horses were seized but he didn’t mention they were all slaughtered Also boasts of the new emergency hotline… Monday to Friday 9 to 5 … Is this the answer to the horrid cruelty being inflicted on out lovely animals….

    43
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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:07 PM

    Well said James!

    8
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    Mute HARRY MARKOPOLOS
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    Aug 26th 2014, 12:05 AM

    Well said Shauna.
    Coveney’s “emergency” helpline open
    9 to 5
    probably Monday to Friday
    and closed for lunch between 12 and 2.

    6
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    Mute HULK SMASH!
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:53 AM

    The poor poor little lad. God love him.
    This has really upset me.
    RIP boy.

    150
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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:58 AM

    I am seriously fuming here.How the hell could anybody do anything like that to a poor animal.
    I sincerely hope this pile of **** is not a parent.
    The punishment should fit the abuse.

    133
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    Mute Ann Mc Kennedy
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:56 AM

    Whoever did this I hope you die roaring, you deserve nothing less…

    123
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    Mute John Clancy
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:38 AM

    Im sure the judge will make an example of this lowlife and throw the the book at him..sorry,my mistake,forgot this is ireland,make that a suspended sentence,after approving free legal aid,of course.

    115
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    Mute Very fond of
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:41 AM

    God I feel sick to the core after reading this and seeing those dreadful pictures.

    109
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    Mute Fremen14
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:57 AM

    That is the most depressing sickening story I’ve heard in a long time , the owner should be flogged.

    90
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    Mute Moss Naughton
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    Aug 26th 2014, 6:21 AM

    I so absolutely agree. Unless the owner is mentally so unwell. Public flogging comes to mind though it goes against every humanitarian principle have.

    So F it, pay it back.

    5
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    Mute Bessie Burgess
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:57 AM

    What is wrong with people? Why do people get animals only to abuse or neglect them? I think how we treat animals reflects upon us as human beings. Upsetting.

    82
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    Mute Maria Spain
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:00 AM

    I can’t comprehend how someone could do this to a beautiful, defenceless animal. I am absolutely disgusted that I have to share a country with ‘ people ‘ that would commit such an appalling act of cruelty.

    78
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    Mute KentuckyWindage
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:53 AM

    The person that did this should be hunted down, and tortured to death.

    78
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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:02 AM

    Who did this and where do they live? I’m going over to West Clare next weekend and I would like to call in and have a chat with this person. Has a name or a more specific area emerged yet.

    76
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    Mute pjm
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:35 AM

    The dog was found in a house in Kilrush town, it was reported in the Clare People. Kilrush is not a big town and I don’t think there would be many German Shepherds in the town so I’d say plenty of people from Kilrush surely know who the owner was.

    89
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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:27 PM

    Kilrush. Ok thanks.

    22
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    Mute sid
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:10 AM

    I can’t understand how anyone could do something like this. You’d have to be sick in the head. I couldn’t even do the job of the warden if it meant I had to be a witness to horrible stuff like that. They deserve a medal.

    75
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    Mute Pam El A
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:57 AM

    He actually gets a lot of criticism locally. Lots of support too. I don’t quite understand it, probably because I’m a blow in!
    My kitten was run over recently and I found the Ennis pound lovely, they disposed of body FOC so I gave a donation.
    But Clare has a very high rate of dogs being put to sleep! People should adopt from rescue, not buy and neuter their pets :/

    45
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    Mute Seosamh Mac An Tsagairt
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:49 AM

    Absolutly heart breaking );

    74
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    Mute Petra Madill
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:24 AM

    The poor pet WAS saved in a sense. Saved from that miserable cruel existence. There is no defence at all. You don’t need money to be kind.
    You don’t need All of your marbles to know right from wrong. You don’t need to be Einstein to what an animal in need looks like or what evil looks like.

    72
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    Mute Dunners
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:54 AM

    The person should get the same treatment

    62
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    Mute paperboy
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:37 AM

    That’s unbelievable…

    61
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    Mute Shane Walsh
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:21 AM

    Very f*cking upsetting.

    60
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    Mute Mary Egan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:21 AM

    That is shocking and sickening the poor dog must have suffered so much in his short life. I think that people should be screened before given an animal. No animal deserves to be treated like that. If his owner didn’t want the dog he should have given it to someone who did. How could anyone do this.

    55
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    Mute A Mulligan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:32 AM

    This is absolutely disgusting. I hope whoever did this is reading this. You’re an absolute pathetic excuse of a person and don’t deserve the oxygen you breathe you disgusting waste of space.
    Poor pet.

    52
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    Mute Dublin 7
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:16 AM

    Clarke is a big County, surely the reporter could be more specific as to where and whom the keeper is. The keeper needs a public hounding!

    52
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    Mute Pam El A
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:59 AM

    It was back west, I know that’s not hugely helpful! the GSPCA FB covered it at the time.

    23
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    Mute Taxi Bill
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:59 AM

    Ah! People this is Ireland you only get decent “time” for not paying your TV licence, anyway had had a “poor disadvantaged background” so a slap on the wrist is in order!

    51
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    Mute Catriona Lowry
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:06 PM

    Why did it take so long to pick up the phone ‘concerned member of the public’? Every day was a lifetime for this animal in pain. Rest in peace baby…

    50
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    Mute Denise Geoghegan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:22 AM

    I feel physically sick after reading this. There are no excuses for such bad treatment of that poor dog. I just hope the punishment will be as bad as the crime

    46
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:15 AM

    It’s probable that the poor dog’s owner is not the full bob. Maybe it’s time the dog licence was increased and potential owners were vetted by dog wardens perhaps with a report from the police. A register could be kept of those maltreating animals. There are far too many people with multiple large dogs which are kept in terrible conditions. I’m sure we’ve all seen German Shepherds pacing around over the weekend in small yards where they are left to guard them. That practice could be outlawed for starters.

    45
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    Mute mamaise
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:31 AM

    Partly agree, but the notion of increasing dog licences (only decent people pay them anyway, people like this man I can assure you do not) I have 4 large dogs & one small one, 3 of which are rescues, I’d have to rehome them if you got your way. I couldn’t pay for big licence fees on top of everything else, I got them when I had a lot more money than I do now but I’m as likely to rehome the kids as I am the dogs! So no thanks to that plan my friend!

    54
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    Mute successisurs
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:54 AM

    With regards to vetting. As we have a farm we’ve had border collies for as long as I can remember and they live to a good old age. They were never stressed or abused well other than their obsession for herding everything including kids. As our last dog died of old age (had to put him down and it tore our hearts) we made a decision to take in a rescue dog. Before we did this we went to a pound who ‘vetted’ us and we were refused because the place was too ‘open’ . Of course it is open its a F.A.R.M. Anyway, we went to another pound and again we were vetted but as we always had border collies they were too glad to give us one. So now we have a border collie dog chipped and registered. The dog was abused before we got her (yes her and she is spayed) but she settled in fine. Furthermore we took in another rescue dogs. This time we got a Swiss Mountain dog. So our hands are full but we would not part with them. Both have settled in and are part of the family. So vetting doesn’t always work.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:59 AM

    Mamaise, you didn’t read the full sentence, “…with multiple large dogs which are kept in terrible conditions”. Obviously I don’t have any problem with people having multiple dogs provided they are kept in suitable conditions and not locked up 23 hours of the day in a tiny back garden. Vetting, like any scheme invented by man, can’t be 100%, but it would mean it would be much harder for toe rags to own and mistreat dogs.

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    Mute Pam El A
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:05 PM

    I agree with you, no increase in costs! my mother is a pensioner and waited her whole working life to have the time to give to a dog. I paid the €80 to the rescue, they did the house check. Right now he’s asleep beside me while I dog sit him, in the comfort that all dogs should have!

    The cost of feeding/vets/licence is already enough. The people who have the time and love to give to animals are often the ones who couldn’t afford any additional costs associated with having them.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:08 PM

    Pensioner’s could be given a reduction as they are on many things. I’m proposing an increase in the licence as a method to raise revenue not to stop people owning dogs.

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    Mute mamaise
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:11 PM

    Sorry I should’ve been more specific, vetting can only be done with rescues, the mam power required to fulfil that idea, it would require spot check on dog owners across the country. The current system is understaffed, your idea basically is the current system, where abuse is reported & dealt with but due to understaffing it doesn’t always work, and of course Irish people are very slow to report. The majority of this type of thing goes on in the rural community where the dog might never be seen by anyone. Just in an outhouse out the back of a field

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    Mute Pam El A
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:36 PM

    I’d like to see it touched on in schools too. It’s already in place with special needs and the elderly, with animals as therapy and assistance with the husbandry that goes with it. I think that would help change the ‘blind eye’ attitude you describe. But it all comes down to funding.

    I regret that I didn’t have a pet when my eldest was younger, his Nan’s dog is about the only family recipient of his affection now that he’s a teen!

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    Mute Marie Dineen
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:14 PM

    I agree with you. Everyone usually love their dogs. However, my opinion is that dogs require space, attention, love, food and exercise……all dogs!
    My neighbour has FOUR Jack Russel dogs which have a postage stamp garden! They NEVER stop barking whilst she is out working 830 to 6!!!!!!!!!!!! They are nervewracking. I blame HER obviously not the dogs…….and if anyone passes by the front of the house you see 4 sets of gnarling teeth trying to get through the windows….OMG it’s unreal. But who cares is the Irish attitude……..

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    Mute Noel Cosgrave
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    Aug 25th 2014, 6:23 PM

    We pay more than.enough towards the gambling debts of the fraudsters better known as the financial services industry. Increasing the dog tax won’t prevent shocking and barbaric cruelty like this. It will just mean even less money on our pockets.

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    Mute Kevin Carey
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    Aug 25th 2014, 10:50 AM

    Red mist

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    Mute ÉiRed
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:40 PM

    Find this F***er….I’ll help find him. Find him and deal with him in the most appropriate way that is humanly possible because if I actually came across this individual right now and I mean this,he would not be walking away from the situation. That is a f***ing horrific way for any living creature to live any type of ‘life’ and you can be sure that right now,in some back shed in this country,there is another animal going through this kind of abuse.

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    Mute Pam Keogh
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:36 AM

    NAME AND SHAME , absolutely disgraceful that a so called person could treat an animal in such a way heartbreaking

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    Mute Mr Grumble
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:40 PM

    18,000 monthly tv licence inspections.
    Less than 200 monthly Care Home inspections.
    1 inspector per 21,000 creche children.
    What hope had the dog…..
    Yet another ashamed to be Irish story………..

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    Mute Anna_Montana
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:44 PM

    Oh Jesus. My heart hurt when I saw that little face.
    People who commit acts of animal cruelty are never brought to justice here it’s sickening.
    Name and shame and jail the pr*ck.

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    Mute carah mongoose
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:29 AM

    Completely disgusting.

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    Mute eVeLyN hUgHeS
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:16 AM

    ‘The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated’ Mahatma Gandhi

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    Mute john williams
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:59 AM

    It’s the person responsible who should be put down! So upset reading this.

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    Mute Donna L Tier
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:06 PM

    There are some sadistic ba$tards that walk this earth. They should all be exterminated !!!

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    Mute niamh ni chonghaile
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:00 PM

    That is so sad. The poor dog

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    Mute Turlough Shiels
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:25 PM

    Sick absolutely sickening. As it says the dog just shown kindness

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    Mute Hannah
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:58 PM

    I cried reading this story. I’m ashamed to be part of the human race & feel humbled by this animals dignity.

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    Mute Tami Drohan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:29 PM

    Id like to know where the dog licience money goes ???? does it go toward dog welfare, or those are beloved government get that too ??

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    Mute Jean Walsh
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:48 AM

    I have no words bad enough to say about the owner of this poor dog.Just sickened that someone could abuse adog like that.Jail who ever did this.

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    Mute Steven Hillert
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:42 AM

    There’s only one thing you should do with the owner of this dog put them down. Give them a slow and long death by a thousand cuts. Water boarding is to good for this B……

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    Mute Madra Rua
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:16 PM

    Something strange about this whole story. If the dog was on the ground as long as stated how is he sitting up in the photo? How come he would have lasted another week to 10 days as reported? Would he have been saved if he had come to the attention if a rescue and not a dog warden? I see the old chestnut ” put to sleep on veterinary advice” being trotted out by the ISPCA again. Also the dog warden urges us to report cruelty to the ISPCA – yet no one talks ir condemns the cruelty perpetrated by the ISPCA behind closed doors in Ennis Pound. This dog warden does get a lit of flack locally from those in the know. The rest think he is some kind of saint! This article looks like a damage limitation exercise to big up the ISPCA locally because of all the flack they are getting about Ennis Pound.

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    Mute shay
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:28 PM

    Madra, interesting, but the dog is the story, and he was badly cared for, the owner holds responsibility solely, nobody else

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    Mute Toddy Eire
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:37 PM

    There is more to this “story” than ‘the dog’, much more. Madra’s concerns are right: you cannot separate one from the other – that’s what is done in Ireland for a hundred years, that’s why nothing has changed. And that’s why after 110 years Coveney and the DOA get away with a half-hearted new law that is nothing more but an alibi. And that’s why the ispca can pocket millions year after year even so having the most appalling record on animal welfare in the country.

    While, of course, it is the owner who is responsible in the end, this ‘story’ also reflects on this society and its relationship with animals, particularly companion animals, and how violations are dealt with.

    As the situation is in this country, if you want to report a cruelty case, you have to call a private organisation. The organisation that needlessly kills the most companion animals in the country – by a distance.
    ispca runs the most horrendous pounds in the country, like Ennis and Wicklow. Pounds where dogs are still killed by a needle directly into their heart (banned in most civilised countries); and where dogs are killed for behavioral ‘issues’ anyone working with dogs laughs about. ispca pounds still refuse to open up to work with rescues and just kill, kill, kill. Year after year they have the highest kill rates. For them, clearly money comes before the animals.

    So, the question if this dog could/would have been saved if a rescue that puts the dog before money would have been contacted is legit, too. And frankly, the cases we are aware of, similar cases where dogs were brought back to health, got adopted and lived years of happy lives thereafter do support madra’s point, too.

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    Mute shay
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:31 PM

    Ok

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    Mute Shauna Ward
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    Aug 25th 2014, 7:27 PM

    Such a true account of life in Ireland for our animals. It’s all so disgusting.. And even the pounds who do work with rescues still charge them for saving a life. Disgraceful how the don’t have incentives for rescues to take over the pounds. Loving people who actually care for the animals in the care of the state. How workers of the Roscommon pound walked out for six days with no food or water is frightening. These people do not care and it’s time Ireland rises up to this torture. Rescues are on their knees trying to save the 10000 dogs waiting on that horrific needle.. Don’t even get me started on our so called DSPCA and the horse situation. It’s living hell…..

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    Mute Tanya Marie Fitzgerald
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    Aug 25th 2014, 8:38 PM

    I so agree with all u said

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    Mute Ms Woolfe
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    Aug 26th 2014, 11:52 AM

    Your ISPCA sound about effective as our money grabbing but no action RSPCA (uk).

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    Mute Mairéad Cahill
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:37 PM

    Omg the poor dog. No animal deserves that. What’s wrong with some people, if you can’t mind your pet find a home for them!!

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    Mute Gary Martin
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:03 PM

    This is disgraceful…whoever you are that caused this you should be ashamed!!!
    That is a deliberate act of cruelty against a beautiful/innocent dog, disgrace!!!
    If you can’t/won’t care your animal get help, in Ireland we have plenty of shelters/charities that will help.
    There is NO excuse for the above to happen.
    RIP poor dog

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    Mute Madra Rua
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:24 PM

    The dog WAS the story and of course the owner should be held responsible.

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    Mute Debi Nikita
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:33 PM

    I’m totally disgusted – some human beings don’t deserve to breath air. Poor dog, he didn’t deserve this. No animal does. A follow up on this story by the Journal would be a good idea.

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    Mute Endeus™
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:20 PM

    Poor Dog jesus

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    Mute Dawn Murray
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:54 PM

    I feel sick and angry looking at this ,they should string up the f**ker who did this and they should go through the same pain as that poor dog. He better get jail time and not just a stupid fine as the useless authorities usually give out.

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    Mute Lorraine Heatley Ryan
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    Aug 25th 2014, 5:32 PM

    I have never prayed for a human being to suffer before , but in this case I hope who ever owned that beautiful dog will suffer a long and painful death , you absolute bas……….

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    Mute Mike Johnston
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    Aug 25th 2014, 2:51 PM

    Some Evil people out there the poor dog. :(

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    Mute Grace Jeaney
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:20 PM

    Horrendous, such a vile act. Sickening behaviour by a “human” being.

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    Mute mitch connors
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    Aug 25th 2014, 2:18 PM

    If a man can do this to a defenceless animal , he is very capable of harming a child .

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    Mute Maeve O' Donoghue
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:02 PM

    This coming from a man who put 384 dogs in his pound down last year!! And transferred NONE to welfare groups..

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    Mute Caroline Fanning
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:37 PM

    Effin s&&m of the earth !!!! Who’s dog was this …let them r@t in h@&l ??!! Throw them in a cage and leave them ! Did the find the “owners” what’s happening next ??

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    Mute Caroline aMarie
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    Aug 25th 2014, 2:38 PM

    Poor poor poor dog.Shame on the bahstid who did that to him.

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    Mute molly coddled
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    Aug 25th 2014, 5:59 PM

    Oh dear sweet Jesus, why oh why ?
    How could anyone inflict such horrendous pain and torture to such a wonderful creature.
    Personally I would kneecap the b*stard, and feel proud doing so.

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    Mute robby rottenest
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:25 PM

    Dog going hungry currently 13000 views.
    Children going hungry currently 6000 views.
    Discuss.

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    Mute Pat Conway
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    Aug 25th 2014, 1:26 PM

    Jail the bast**d and throw away the key.

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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:10 PM

    ALL suffering is relative!

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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 25th 2014, 3:12 PM

    Always one to give out about people caring about a poor Animal…
    Most animal lovers care about people too… Go away with yourself there Robbie

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Aug 25th 2014, 7:03 PM

    Shauna, Robby never gave out about people caring about animals, all he did was point out that there is more outrage about a dog dying a needless cruel death than children needlessly going hungry. I find it interesting that people seem to not see the need to even read on the issues in the same way.

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    Mute robby rottenest
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    Aug 25th 2014, 8:08 PM

    I was as shocked at the treatment of that poor animal as anybody else. I just made a casual observation and opened it up to discussion.
    I read both stories with great interest. I just find it odd that the human story was ignored by so many. It may begin to explain how we humans can be so cruel to each other.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Aug 25th 2014, 8:13 PM

    Oh I agree… I noticed in a local Tesco, their new charitable campaign, an Animal Shelter got what looked like twice the votes as Temple Street Childrens hospital and a Womans Refuge..

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    Mute Therese Coker
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    Aug 25th 2014, 9:38 PM

    Please name this persons

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    Mute Row-Sheen
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:14 PM

    Absolutely disgusting! If you are capable of putting a defenceless animal through this then you are not a human and you don’t deserve an ounce of respect! This person or these people need to pay for the crime, but as usual they will get a small slap on the wrist!

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    Mute Laura Cassidy
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    Aug 25th 2014, 9:29 PM

    What absolute sc**mbags!!I hope nothing but bad things happen to the people that inflicted that torture on this poor poor animal.

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    Mute Tanya Marie Fitzgerald
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    Aug 25th 2014, 8:34 PM

    What I would do if I got my hands on that thing that let that poor dog suffer like that and same old story nothing will be done. But here we are sitting back doing nothing. We need to storm our government and make them change our law’s and see that a lengthy prison sentence is handed down everytime. I.m sick reading horrible stories about how we an animal loving country treats our pets. We need to take action. If I had my way 3 strikes and its 21 years in pink jumpsuits.

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    Mute Colette Kelleghan O Shaughnessy
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    Aug 26th 2014, 3:16 AM

    Let’s honour this dogs memory and give him a name , the only bit of love and kindness he was shown was by the warden who found him so I suggest Frankie , I will be making a donation to the ispca in his name ,

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    Mute Ed McDonnell
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:40 PM

    I would like to meet up with who ever done this and introduce them to my friends , Hammer , pliers and blowtorch ….

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    Mute Ms Woolfe
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    Aug 26th 2014, 11:55 AM

    I’d help you.

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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:19 PM

    Hey Robby, I agree with you, it is very interesting. I also should point out, that there I a large number if people claiming disgust at the tragic death of this poor dog, are advocating torture of its owner, when we only know part of the story…

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    Mute Ms Woolfe
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    Aug 26th 2014, 12:08 PM

    There is NO damned excuse for doing this to a sentient creature, it totally destroys me to think of what this poor little soul suffered.

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    Mute Sykes
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:56 PM

    The poor dog. I hate hearing about these things happening to defenceless animals. I hope this person gets the full force of the law or even the same treatment he/she gave out.

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    Mute Colette Kelleghan O Shaughnessy
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    Aug 26th 2014, 2:59 AM

    Time to change the law , animals that are abused should be treated as victims in the same way as humans ,what that poor dog went through is unthinkable , it’s hard to believe someone is capable of this

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    Mute seamus mcdermott
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    Aug 26th 2014, 10:20 AM

    Frank Coote himself, the man, has been the subject of abuse from abusive animal owners in Clare. He has been physically attacked when attempting to resolve complaints about animal treatment/cruelty.
    He is the Lone Ranger, who has selflessly ridden to the defense of animals for decades, sometimes paying with his own skin for his trouble.

    With my own eyes, I have seen cruelty visited upon animals here in Clare, and that is to our shame. Dogs, horses, cats. It is beyond me how some people can visit such conditions on defenseless animals.
    Animals are innocent creatures.
    I have seen healthy young purebred dogs let out onto the road from the back of a luxury sedan in Spanish Point on a busy road at sunset, the car then driving off.
    There are dozens of people in Clare who work along with the ISPCA, finding homes and adopting animals in distress–caring for them and sparing them “the needle”. Many of them dip into their own financial resources to provide for the animals. Many of them do so repeatedly. I know of one woman who ferries abandoned animals from Ireland to England where they are placed with families. She does this with her own time, vehicle and fuel plus ferry expenses. Not inconsiderable! She does this from her heart.
    I would urge anyone reading this to donate to organizations that benefit animals. We must look after those who can’t look after themselves.

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    Mute Caroline aMarie
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    Aug 25th 2014, 2:41 PM

    @Pat Conway:Amen.

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    Mute Breda Brady
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    Aug 25th 2014, 11:28 PM

    This is so sad :( poor madra . Rip

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    Mute Sylvia Buckley
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    Oct 4th 2014, 11:36 PM

    it is now the 4th october.can someone plase let us have an update on this case.what has happened with the owner of the poor deceased animal.have they been brought to court yet,and if so,what was the outcome?

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    Mute Lís Ní Laoithe
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    Aug 22nd 2015, 10:58 PM
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    Mute LIsa Marie Olson
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    Sep 15th 2014, 7:17 PM

    This is so heartbreaking it literally bought to me tears. How people can do damn cruel to a beautiful animal? So upset that can’t comment anymore. Does anyone feel my sadness on this article. I very upsetting to see the in that dog bad state. Did the people get convinced for this abuse on their dog. God I hope so.

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    Mute
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    Aug 25th 2014, 4:29 PM

    This is so bad heavy jail sentences for those who do this

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    Mute Sharon Thorne Lordan
    Favourite Sharon Thorne Lordan
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    Aug 26th 2014, 2:55 PM

    This person will be punished by a small fine and slap on the hand. We need as a country stand up to this as animals have no rights and start giving out huge fines and long jail times. We have a sex offender register we should also have one for cruelty to animals,Name and shame them all!!!

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