The ISPCA Dogs and Cats Home cares for dogs abandoned by their owners.
Ireland has approximately 750,000 dogs, the largest population in Europe and this is a problem says Tony Hoctor chief executive officer of the ISPCA (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Many of these dogs have been given as Christmas presents and are later abandoned. In addition, the summer holiday season is approaching and unfortunately people who do not have the means to put their dogs in kennels leave them to fend for themselves,
People pack up their bags off in the car on holidays with the dog and then they abandon the dog either outside Dublin Airport or outside Shannon.
It is difficult to estimate exactly how many dogs the ISPCA will take in over the summer, but pilot schemes such as the one in County Wicklow have been successful in reducing the number of stray dogs, as well as reducing sheep worrying.
People in Ireland are not deliberately cruel towards animals, Tony Hoctor maintains, but they can be thoughtless at times and as a result,
The whole problem has got absolutely out of control.
Tony Hoctor believes the threat of rabies gaining a foothold in Ireland may become a reality if action is not taken immediately. The disease has been detected in northern France, and as there are currently no quarantine requirements for dogs between Ireland and the United Kingdom it may only be a matter of time before rabies appears in Ireland,
There is a grave possibility of a rabid dog appearing on the south coast.
Reducing the number of stray dogs is one solution. Organisations such as the IFA (Irish Farmers' Association) and the national agricultural advisory and training authority ACOT (An Chomhairle Oiliúna Talamhaíochta) are working with the ISPCA to establish dog control units in every county. Funding in the shape of local authority grants is required.
We're talking in a very small amount in proportion to the total cost of local government expenditure.
This report for 'Ireland's Eye’ was broadcast on 5 May 1982. The reporter is Pat Butler.
