Dogs are not just for Christmas

A dog is not just for Christmas, members were reminded at the latest Ballinamore District meeting, where Cllr Enda McGloin noted that there are currently 3,227 dogs in shelters and pounds across the country and there has been a 95% increase in the number of stray dogs entering dog pounds in recent years. He added that the figures do not include "the hundreds of dogs that are on waiting lists for a space in a shelter". 

Cllr McGloin said that with Christmas around the corner, "many people consider getting a dog for Christmas for the kids, etc." and "dogs on the loose can be dangerous to livestock."

A report by head of finance and water services said that as of October 31 last, the number of dogs in the shelter here is 21, there have been 93 requests by owners to surrender their dogs and the number of stray dogs and dogs seized by the dog warden is 75.

The number of dogs surrender by their owner and accepted by the dog shelter comes to 25 while 76 dogs have been rehomed to new owners. 

The number of dogs reclaimed by their owner comes to 13. 

The report said that the dog warden often provides support to owners wishing to surrender/rehome their dog including a publication of the dog's photograph and details on the dog pound social media accounts and facilitating direct contact between prospective new owners and the dog owner. 
On occasion, the appropriate advice is for the dog to be put to sleep by the owner's vet as the dog may not be suitable for rehoming. 

Cllr McGloin said these were a "startling set of numbers" and "some of the cruelty done to animals is quite outrageous".

He said that during Covid, there were people giving "hundreds and hundreds of euros for pedigree dogs and after Covid, suddenly, the dog becomes a nuisance hence you have numbers like 93 who want to surrender their animals."

He said those considering getting a dog should consider "visiting the centre in Drumkeeran and perhaps foster a dog and then they may go on to adopt the animal, if appropriate."

He said that puppy farms are unlicensed and not approved by the Irish Boarding Kennels and Cattery Association and the animals "end up in cruel circumstances and being forced to reproduce" and these farms should be shunned by members of the public. 

Cllr Gerry Dolan supported the motion saying that every spring, "you hear about a savage attack on livestock especially sheep" adding that people "with dogs should have them under control at all times."

Cllr Brendan Barry said a "dog isn't just for Christmas, it's for life" and that people need to think carefully before they get a pet.