GARDAI are investigating the discovery of a mass grave of around a dozen or more greyhounds found dumped on wasteground.
The grim discovery was unearthed by a man out walking, during the Easter bank holiday weekend, at a disused quarry in West Limerick.
It’s believed the animals were killed by an impact to the head.
According to a statement from the Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland (GRAI), the dogs were discovered “in various stages of decomposition” in an open and unburied grave site.
It’s understood the remains were located in the townland of Ballyagran.
Marion Fitzgibbon, of Limerick Animal Welfare and a GRAI spokeswoman, said: “Two greyhounds – a black bitch and a fawn dog – were killed recently as their bodies are not decomposed. They both appear to have been killed by an impact to the head. There are other greyhound bodies in the quarry. Limerick Animal Welfare estimates another seven or eight but the terrain is very overgrown and a proper search may reveal more”.
She added: “We know these are racing greyhounds, as each animal is required to have a unique identifying tattoo in each ear. Some of the tattoos are still legible to the naked eye. This information has been passed to Limerick County Council and the Gardaí have also been informed”.
A spokesman for the Irish Greyhound Board, Bord na cCon, said, they would not be making any comment until the organisation’s welfare officer, Barry Coleman, was informed.
The GRAI called on Bord na gCon, to thoroughly investigate and report on the circumstances that led to the dogs being killed and dumped.
“Bodies being left to rot in the open, as well as being a public health hazard, also portrays the Irish Greyhound Racing Industry in a very poor light…We are certain they will be as shocked as we are upon learning of this killing pit. We are sure that every respectable greyhound owner will welcome firm action being taken against all those involved in the killing of these dogs and who has broken the law,” Ms Fitzgibbon said.
However, the GRAI statement added, it “believes this to be only the tip of the iceberg”.
The group said that in 2011, there were 3,271 registered greyhound litters in Ireland and that up to 10,000 greyhounds disappear every year in Ireland.
“These dogs did not need to die. Greyhounds can make faithful, gentle and loving family pets. They are great with children and unlike many other breeds only need around 30-minutes walk per day”.
