Puppies dumped in County Derry just days after Christmas

The Mid Ulster Rehoming Centre for Dogs has taken in four puppies that were dumped just days after Christmas.

The puppies, which are half Cocker Spaniel and half Border Collie, are just seven weeks old.

A spokesperson for the centre said that the man who brought in the puppies (one female and three males) said that no-one would want them.

Two Siberian Huskies were also brought into the centre after a member of the public found them wandering in the Fairhill area of Magherafelt on Thursday evening.

The centre’s owner Colleen Cunningham said that the dogs “seemed quite thin and have matted coats.”

“They’ve obviously been on the run for a while, looking at them,” she said.

“It just seems to be the type of dog that people are getting now and don’t realise how much hard work they are.”

A Patterdale Terrier was also found on the Gulladuff Road in Bellaghy on Thursday. The centre is appealing for the dogs’ owners to come forward.

Colleen said that the centre had been quiet recently, but expected that they would become particulary busy in January and February. She said that she would like to remind people that dogs were not just for Christmas.

“It’s a full commitment and they have to be prepared to look after them,” she said.

“We would always say to contact the rehoming centre and just don’t dump them out. The dogs can’t look after themselves, so we would rather they would bring them here.”

The centre rehomes stray and unwanted dogs from their kennels in Stewartstown, Co Tyrone. 

Those interested in adopting can contact the centre on 028 8773 8861. There is a £50 adoption fee and all dogs must be licensed for £12.50.