Loving homes needed after terrible cruelty
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Some of the cases seen by Gina Hetherington at the PAWS shelter in Mullinahone, Co Tipperary, over the years have been "absolutely horrendous".
The animal rescue centre -- where none of the strays are put down -- has nursed back to full health many dogs that have been close to death, but has not succeeded in placing all of the dogs with a new owner.
Manuka, a four-month-old Lurcher puppy, was taken into the PAWS shelter just over a year ago. She was suffering badly from untreated mange and had been abandoned by her owners.
"All of her bones were showing through her coat," Ms Hetherington said.
Manuka's mange was cured but a home could not be found for her and she is still living at the animal shelter in Tipperary.
Ozzie was found abandoned on the side of a road at Nine Mile House, Co Tipperary, by a young couple last October. He was re-homed in January but because he is a pedigree Bichon dog and does not mix well, he could not live in a house with children. Ozzie was returned and is now back at the PAWS shelter looking for a new home.
Ms Hetherington has urged people who are thinking about buying a dog to consider the possibility of going to the local pound or animal shelter, where many abandoned dogs are desperately in need of a loving home.
- Una Mulhall
