A skinny boxer dog, with its bones peeking through its skin, gazes forlornly at the camera following its rescue. This pup is one of a pair of two-year-old boxer brothers who were swiftly taken to a veterinary centre operated by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) for urgent care. Their story is showcased in an upcoming episode of the TV3 program Animal A&E, shedding light on the concerning trend of abandoned and neglected dogs in Ireland.
Underfed: The emaciated boxer dog, whose ribs are visible through its coat, was rescued by the ISPCA.
The ISPCA staff were filmed giving care to the dogs, with presenter Andrea Hayes and the team watching on.
The distressing condition of the animals highlights the increasing issue of abandoned dogs that the ISPCA is working hard to address.
The show airing tomorrow at 7.30pm will showcase a small terrier named Memphis who was abandoned by being tossed over an eight-foot security fence at Dog’s Trust charity in Ireland, even though the facility was open to the public. According to Ms. Hayes, they visited the ISPCA center in Longford where they were informed that two boxer dogs had been rescued. These dogs were in a terrible state, being severely neglected to the point of being completely anaemic and malnourished. It would have taken a long time for them to reach such a starved condition.
The inspectors were saddened to report that the two-year-old siblings, referred to as brothers, were extremely malnourished and in poor condition. They had visible sores on their bodies, indicating severe malnourishment to the point where their skin was almost touching their bones. According to ISPCA Inspector Conor Dowling, irresponsible dog ownership is a significant problem in Ireland, with many owners not taking basic steps such as neutering and microchipping their pets.
“We are facing an oversupply of puppies in Ireland, which is evident in the high number of cases involving cruelty and neglect towards dogs, as well as the large population of abandoned dogs in shelters,” he commented.
Executive director Mark Beazley of the Dogs Trust expressed their concern over the 1,200 stray and abandoned dogs they receive annually.
He emphasized the importance of responsible dog ownership, stating that owning a dog is a lifelong commitment.
Through collaborations with TV3 and the ISPCA, they aim to raise awareness about this issue and encourage the public to carefully consider the responsibilities of owning a dog.
The two boxers showcased on the program have made a full recovery and are now preparing to be placed in new loving homes.