Ireland has one of the worst records of killing dogs in Europe

by :-) & a blessèd holy trinity sunday to u & all. - (when I'm rich enough, I want to clone new ears, coz your earlobes go on growing and its unsightly) Sun May 22, 2005 14:04

Athens is as famous for its wild dogs who live mostly around the acropolis as Rome is famous for its wild cats who live mostly around the forum, as Manchester is infamous for its feral hooded youth who live in the suburbs, and Dublin is quite well known actually for its intellecktshuals who due to property speculation live a bit further out than before.
In the lead-up to the Olympic games, the largest counter-stray-dog operation in modern history occured as the Athenian authorities rounded up all strays and kenneled them for the duration of the event in an attempt to "clean-up" the image of the city.
Thereafter though the majority of athenian dogs were re-released to the street rather than "destroyed" (a euphemism for an injected overdose, which might work in Salford but is not the modern Greek way).

In the end almost 15,000 Dogs were saved by solidarity canine rescue actions, as this ought be an inspiration to canine solidarity activists globally.

related articles on the Dogs of Athens:-
http://www.athensguide.com/straydogs/
Photos of the Dogs of Athens:-
http://www.sobi.org/photos/Dog/Athens/
Speculation as to the Angelic nature of Dogs in Athens:-
http://www.athensguide.com/straydogs/guardianangels.htm

last link Athens canine rescue group-

Athens. Better than dublin. Greece Better than Ireland.

by animalrights Sun May 22, 2005 16:25

I'll probably get a lot of flak for saying this, but I'm not surprised that Ireland has been found to have one of the worst records of killing dogs in Europe.

I visit Ireland regularly, and one thing that always stands out, and that I will never get used to, is the apparant disregard for animal welfare amongst many people here (or at least in this area: rural south-east). Every other house seems to have a mangey untrained dog roaming loose in the road outside - its no wonder so many are picked up as strays. This isnt just an issue of poverty, as most of these houses were huge, with a couple of flash cars parked outside.

Aside from being a menace to passersby, many of these dogs are killed or injured by cars - which some owners view as a natural form of culling, an alternative to the hassle/expense of neutering. One family i knew of allowed their 6 year old son to shoot their unwanted pet with an air-gun, justifying it on the grounds that it had bitten a neighbour. The dog was merely blinded, and stumbled into the path of a car, which they found hilarious. Kittens were easier to dispose of - flushed down the toilet or thrown in the river, depending on size. I am told it is common to find dead animals along the banks of the Slaney, tied up or in bags, and that this method of disposing of unwanted animals is considered normal.

Of course I'm not implying that most Irish people treat animals like this, but I did notice an acceptance of neglect and cruelty that I have not encountered elsewhere.

by SABWATCH Sun May 22, 2005 19:07

You say you talked to a family who let their son shoot a dog with an airgun.Off to the Gaurds with you,as they no doubt would be intrested in first animal cruelty and secondly the illegal possesion and misuse of a firearm,as airguns are classified as firearms here in Ireland.

by animalrights Mon May 23, 2005 13:47

The family were neighbours of friends who lived there. Didnt speak to them personally. Apparently police were informed, and took no action.

If you want evidence of day-to-day neglect, just go to the rural areas and see how many dogs are just roaming loose in the road. It is rare to see any behind a gate.

by Dog lover Mon May 23, 2005 17:16

Pity all those that feel pain for the dogs in question,
As I look arount the net in general I see children killed for the simple reason that they are born in a country , a country , indeed a birth beyond their control..... just as soon as this sinks in , please take the time to post a reply.........

by Madra Tue May 24, 2005 06:18

There is an article in The Blanch Gazette this week about the issue. Ruth Coppinger (SP) is calling for a new pound or something to be opened in Dublin 15.

by madirin rua Tue May 24, 2005 06:21

Fortunately in most of the western world we require a licence to own most kinds of animals, but as Shaw said `Parentage is a very important profession, but no test of fitness for it is ever imposed in the interest of the children `

The unfortunate animal can no more help when and where it is born than the child in Navan or Nigeria, Belfast or Basra. My point is these cases are ALL a tragic waste.

by Sharon Workman Mon Nov 21, 2005 21:05 rewbear97 at hotmail dot com

I agree with the fact that we should be more humane to the creatures on this planet. We were given the sacred duty of caring for them. However, I also agree that we spend way to much time focusing on starving animals, and neglected, and abused animals, as opposed to starving, neglected, and abused human beings. We need to find a balance. If it came to a choice between saving the human or the animal -stranded in the middle of a fast flooding river -I would not hesitate to save the human first. If I could still save the animal without any one dying then I would. People should neuter or spay instead of killing the offspring of unwanted and uncared for BABIES! They should take care that their pets have a safe and habitable environment. they should show affection. they should be responsible for the maintenance (shots and medicines grooming cleanliness etc.....) but people aren't. Why? because like in Ireland it is socially acceptable in their society, or their community, to do the obviously unacceptable and irresponsible thing. by taking the easy way out.

by Irish rover Mon Nov 21, 2005 23:52

With all the destruction of human life and enslavement of human beings under globalisation I reckon this shaggy dog story is simply barking up the wrong tree .

by irish rover/living in Tobago Tue Jan 03, 2006 20:55

Being kind to Shaggy dogs or any animal is the beginning of showing children the value of life and hopefully when they become adults they will become caring people who will seek justice where human slavery/killing or cruelty either to man or animal. We must care for the planet and all that it contains.

by WonderWhy Mon Jan 09, 2006 17:31 Co Westmeath

After reading all these comments (including the stupid "barking up the wrong tree" one), it's not a wonder nothing is ever done about the disgraceful state of animal welfare in this backward, greedy nation.

Care for those unable to care for themselves, including animals, is all a part of being caring, being human, and being good.

I'm shocked that so many of you think it's such a little matter. Other, far poorer nations treat their animals better than the wealthy Irish, who are apparently too busy buying SUVs to worry about defenceless creatures who are dying and suffering because of human cruelty and negligence.

Hundreds of Irish dogs are rehomed annually in other countries because so many unwanted animals are produced here. The destruction rate could easily be double what it is.

The really telling part is that the UK's animal destruction rate is really rather good, and would be even better if it weren't for the Northern Irish, who show the same reckless disregard for innocent creatures as their southern brothers and sisters.