Pics: Two emaciated dogs, found close to death in Cork City, looking for new homes

Fri, 29 May, 2020 - 14:32

Roisin Burke

Two emaciated dogs who were close to death and living in squalor, are making full recoveries, thanks to the care of the ISPCA in Cork.

Cork’s Senior ISPCA Inspector Lisa O’Donovan responded to a call made to the National Animal Cruelty Helpline from a concerned member of the public about a German Shepherd and a Japanese Akita in Cork City.

On inspection, the Inspector said there was no evidence of food or water present and their living area was dreadful.

Senior Inspector O’Donovan immediately seized both dogs and sought urgent veterinary attention for the animals.

Japanese Akita Kiba when she was rescued.

Speaking about the incident Ms O’Donovan said: “I was extremely concerned about the welfare of both dogs and in particular the German shepherd dog, later called Foxy. She was in a collapsed state and extremely weak and skeletal. She was very subdued and I was really worried that she wasn’t going to make it. Carrying Foxy’s frail limp body to my vehicle is a harrowing memory that will stay with me for a very long time”.

German Shephard Foxy when she was rescued by Cork's ISPCA inspector Lisa O'Donovan

Both dogs were urgently transported and admitted to the veterinary hospital where they were described as dangerously dehydrated.

Foxy was anaemic and her prognosis was not looking good. She received emergency supportive therapy to rehydrate her and to reverse hypothermia. The vet’s opinion was that she would not have survived much longer.

The Japanese Akita now called Kiba was also in very poor condition and both animals were described as having a “putrid foul odour.” Both dogs received veterinary treatment and were transported to an ISPCA animal centre for care and rehabilitation.

The Cork Inspector said she was very relieved to be able to help the animals.

“It was really distressing to see the dogs living in such awful conditions and knowing that if Foxy was left there a little longer, she would not have survived”.

Both dogs are making full recoveries thanks to the dedicated animal carers who have worked with them since their rescue. They are thriving in ISPCA care and will be available for rehoming shortly.