‘There is a stray dog crisis’: Limerick Animal Welfare issues appeal

THE MANAGER of Limerick Animal Welfare’s sanctuary says there is a stray dog crisis in Limerick.

Marie Quirke says dogs are found on the streets, on the motorways, in shopping centres begging for food, abandoned in forestry, injured from road traffic accidents, and the most common is the dog allowed out to go for a walk by itself.

“We are told “they always come back, but sadly this time he is missing’,” said Marie.

She says their Facebook page and emails are bombarded with messages on a daily basis to help with stray dogs. People also contact them looking for their own dogs.

“Despite the legislation to have all dogs in Ireland chipped and registered and wearing an ID tag on their collars with a contact telephone number, we rarely get a stray dog coming into LAW with the required registered microchip.

“Without enforcement of this legislation, Ireland will never get a handle on the huge problem of overbreeding, and there is no accountability when dogs cause injury to livestock, people and their pets,” said Marie, who appeals to people to look after their animals.

“Microchip them and make sure that the chip is registered with up to date contact numbers. Put a tag with your contact number on their collars. Keep dogs in a safe enclosed back garden. Please do not allow them to wander. We need the kennel spaces for animals who genuinely need shelter, food and care,” said Marie.

Currently, they have only one dog in their kennels in Kilfinane that was chipped coming in and even that can’t be traced.

“The Yorkie is registered to a breeder but when contacted by us has no record of her sales of the litter. This dog’s registered name is ‘Puppy 1’. The new owner has not changed over the chip. He was found in the Ballyclough area,” said Marie.