A SHOCKED motorist contacted Limerick Animal Welfare on Saturday, January 12 after witnessing the occupants of a white van dump two shih tzu dogs out of the window while travelling at speed on the Southern Ring Road. Luckily, the dogs, named Ruby and Princess, survived their ordeal and were taken to the Limerick Animal Welfare sanctuary in Kilfinane after they were rescued from a slip road by a passing driver. Marie Quirke of Limerick Animal Welfare told Limerick Post: “All we know is that they were thrown out of a white van. The woman who saw them didn’t manage to get the registration number.
They’re a bit shook up after it, they were very lucky to survive.”
The dogs’ owner, Aideen Kelly, was found after she read about the incident on the Limerick Animal Welfare Facebook page.
She stated: “The back gate was opened and the dogs just took off, but I have no idea where they were taken from. I was just really hoping that it was them when I heard about it. I’m delighted they’re back but I really want to catch the people who did this. It’s horrible what they went through.”
The incident is the second in recent weeks in which a dog has been dumped onto a busy road; last month, gardai had to assist in the rescue of Leonard, a boxer cross who was trapped in the centre of the M20.
Ms Quirke commented: “Leonard is still here and he’s up for rehoming. I don’t understand how anybody could do something so awful to a dog as friendly as him.”
Limerick Animal Welfare is urging all pet owners to have their animals microchipped so they can be quickly identified.
Ms Quirke concluded: “We have lots of dogs who should be at home with their owners but we can’t find who they are. A lot of vets in Limerick offer microchipping for just €20, and a tag with your number on it is just €8. It costs very little but it makes such a difference.”
Anyone with any information on the incidents can contact Limerick Animal Welfare on [email protected].
