Cork ISPCA inspector calls on people to think twice before getting a dog

The ISPCA is calling on people to think twice before getting a dog, with time and money needed to look after them to an appropriate standard.

Caroline Faherty, a Cork-based ISPCA inspector, told The Echo that people need to take a number of things into consideration before deciding to purchase a dog.

“If someone is getting a dog they are completely, wholly responsible for the care of that dog,” she said.

“So, it is up to them to feed, water, house, walk, and provide medical care.

“If you get a dog, you have to make sure you can afford to look after that dog.

“Things like vet bills are very expensive.

“Are you going to be working all of the time?

“Do you need to pay somebody to walk your dog, or can you walk yourself?”

These, Ms Faherty said, “are all very important things to consider” before getting a dog.

“People need to realise that if you have a dog it is like having children and you are wholly responsible for them,” she added.

Right message

Ms Faherty said that getting the right message out into the public domain is key in terms of proper dog animal welfare.

She also suggested people should be more aware of the repercussions of not taking proper care of animals.

“We need to advise people as much as possible how to look after their dogs,” she said.

“Ultimately some people just won’t do it.

“They are the people who we end up removing the dogs from and prosecuting then as a result.

“The more cases we get to court, the harsher the penalties will be.

“It is just about getting the message out there.

“The more it is published or the more people read it on the paper or social media, people realise that if they are not looking after their animals then we will be coming after them.”

ISPCA animal welfare inspectors continue to work tirelessly in very challenging situations rescuing vulnerable animals that are suffering.

The ISPCA encourages the public to report any suspicions of animal cruelty, neglect, or abuse to its confidential National Animal Cruelty Helpline by calling 0818 515 515, by reporting online at ispca.ie/report-cruelty, or by emailing helpline@ispca.ie.