Dog starved half to death and put to sleep

A Rottweiler dog, which was found in Coleraine severely neglected and starved half to death, was humanely put to sleep last week.

The shocking case has prompted Coleraine Borough Council to renew its appeal to the public not to abandon unwanted dogs. Council was alerted after the dog was taken to a local veterinary clinic by a man who claimed it had been found on the Newbridge Road in the town.

Kieran Doherty, Council’s Corporate Director of Environmental Services, told the Times that the bitch was “so badly starved and less than half her recommended breed weight. At the advice of the veterinary clinic, which has been most regrettable, she has now been put to sleep.”

“This is a distressful situation for all involved, and one which should not have taken place. There have been a number of dogs abandoned in the area since Christmas and I wish to highlight that that this is against current legislation and court action could also be taken if neglect is found to have occurred.

“This dog was in such poor health. It was malnourished with its rib cage, hip bones and scull protruding, a most shocking sight and I hope I never have to witness anything like this again”.

An adult Rottweiler should weigh between 40 and 50 kilos but the emaciated animal weighed around 19 kilos.

Council does not usually deal directly with ill treated animals as police have enforcement powers for animal welfare. However, within the last two months, the local authority has collected two strays which were malnourished and requiring immediate attention to their health.

Mr Doherty continued: “Council follow a number of routes when a dog is collected stray or unwanted.