Animal lovers react angrily to cruelty case

The little puppy that was bought from Nutts Corner market sadly passed away

Vets from Companion Care Vets based at Pets at Home at Sprucefield valiantly tried to save the German Shepherd pup discovered - along with two others - living in appalling conditions in a cage at the back of a van at a market.

A client left the pup into the vets in the hope that she could be saved. The pup was underweight, malnourished and non-responsive when it arrived. It was then placed on a drip and given pain relief.

One of the nurses at the vets caring for her said, “She could not stand or open her eyes properly. She was so dehydrated, one of her eyes was completely ulcerated. Her skin was terribly infected and she even had maggots. She was also colicing badly and was in considerable pain with this.

“She was so underweight she should have been twice the size that she was. It was very upsetting to see the dog in this way.

“We were hoping that the medication would work and for a happy ending but unfortunately, it was not to be.

“ The pup was in a really sorry state when she came  to us.

“We would have not seen anything that bad.

“She fought for her life for over a day and a half but sadly, passed away peacefully in the arms of our nurse.

“We are all terribly saddened by this and hope that the people responsible are brought to justice.”

On their Facebook page Rhona Killen said “Makes me sick.”

Daveit Ferris said, “RIP wee man. I’m sorry you had to encounter people so cruel in your short wee life.”

Veterinary officers from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) said they were investigating and police said that enquiries were continuing.