We've been working on it for a while  but now it's finally finished and published!  We hope you find it interesting, educational and more importantly we hope it spurs you on to do something to help make Ireland a better country for animals to live.

We have included our previous press releases and articles in the blog as well. 

We welcome any comments or suggestions you might have!

Pets sentenced to death
Press Release on Dublin City Councils’ decision to ban certain dog breeds
TO:

Saturday, July  7th, 2007 : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Death sentence looms over family pets following Dublin City Councils’ decision

Many family pets are at risk of being destroyed following the decision by Dublin City Council to ban all dogs listed under the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991.  Restricted breeds include;  the American Pit Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bull Mastiff,  Dobermann Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian),  Japanese Akita,  Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback,  Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Ban Dog or any crosses of these breeds.

ANVIL Ireland has condemned this move.  Spokesperson, Miriam Anderson stated “this decision appears to have been made in the absence of any informed discussion with rescue or welfare groups.  The fact that Dublin City Council has referred to all of these breeds as “dangerous dogs” implies a total lack of understanding of both the breeds in question and the existing legislation”.

Some of these breeds were originally bred as herding animals, it is bad breeding, irresponsible owners, and negative reporting by certain sections of the media that has led to this situation.  Education and stricter enforcement of the existing legislation is what is needed, not an outright ban.  Such bans have not worked in other countries and to say certain breeds of dogs are dangerous is not an accurate statement.  All dogs can be dangerous if in the hands of an irresponsible owner

This is discrimination against council tenants as well as any responsible owner of one of these breeds.  The councils’ proposed bylaw amendments will mean that these animals could not be walked in a public park, regardless of where its’ owner lives. 

ANVIL members are angry but not surprised by the councils’ decision; “It further proves how little we care for companion animals in this country when an ill advised decision like this can be taken so quickly, but we have waited over a year for the implementation of the dog breeding regulations, and almost 100 years for updated animal protection legislation.  We cannot call ourselves civilised if we can treat animals in this cavalier fashion”, their spokesperson said.

ANVIL is calling on all owners of restricted breeds to write to Dublin City Council and the Minister for the Environment to register their opposition to the councils’ decision and proposal of a nationwide ban on these dogs.  Further information may be obtained fromwww.anvilireland.ie

For more information, contact: Miriam Anderson, ANVIL Ireland Co-ordinator  on 0861999512 and/or visit the ANVIL Ireland website www.anvilireland.ie


 

Please note!  This piece was written to highlight the attitude of irresponsible owners and the system that facilitates them.  It is by no means aimed at Dog Wardens or others, who have to work within the constraints of this system.Ireland's Throwaway Society Just got better!

We've had the Celtic Tiger, the housing and holiday boom, everything we want at our fingertips thanks to online shopping; now we have the very latest in consumer convenience...  Dump your pet!

How does this work I hear you ask,

Well it's all quite simple and easy, just follow these guidelines and tips and hey presto, your pet is sorted!

This is not a joke, there are no hidden extras or terms and conditions.

 Just follow these simple steps and you can be free!

1. Going on holiday/emigrating/moving house?  Dog a problem?

Not anymore!  From the comfort of your armchair just pick up the phone and call your friendly Dog Warden to come and collect Fido.  I kid you not!  The nice man will call in his air cooled van and collect the offending dog and there is no charge. Phone now!

2. Dog getting on?  Has a medical problem that's costing you money?

Don't suffer anymore, follow the advice in step 1 and your life will improve, many others in your situation have followed this advice with amazing results.  This solution really works!

3. Kids upset at prospect of Fido leaving?

Fear not, just tell them the "nice man" will get Fido a lovely new home with lots of other dogs to play with, where he will be really happy.  Why, you can even send his favourite toy with him so he's not lonely!  You can reassure them that when you get back from holiday you can get an even better dog, at little or no cost to you!  This is an amazing offer, don't delay!

In today’s hectic world, we take the worry out of "what will we do with the dog".  Got a dog you don't want?  We can help.

Contact DISPOSADOG NOW!!  FREE!!

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This might be funny if it weren't true.  The numbers of dogs surrendered into our pounds tells me, it is true, it also tells me that we, as a nation, are cruel, uncaring, selfish, and negligent, when it comes to our animals.  To listen to the cries of surrendered dogs, and see them watch the door, waiting for the return of their owners is unbearable. 

We have become a rich nation, we have money for everything and value on nothing.  In relation to our treatment of animals, we as a nation,  should hang our heads in shame; not just at the plight of these dogs, but the fact that no one in a position to do anything about the situation, cares enough to change it.

This country is a collective of people who, regardless of whether we are animal orientated or not, have a duty towards these defenceless creatures.  We are the ones these animals are relying on, if we can't pull together to do something then there is no hope, and these animals have little enough of that as it is.

Between 2002 and 2004, we as a nation, have destroyed 55,650 mainly healthy dogs in our pounds.  this is the equivalent of almost 2 Mount Everests!!  We are producing companion animals just to slaughter them. This has to stop!

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi:

"You can judge the moral stature of a nation by the way it treats its animals."

Based on this statement, we in Ireland have very little in the way of moral stature.

 

The Final Solution -Ireland's' killing fields

The following is an eye-witness account of a situation which arose in the past few days.  A farm in the Leinster area is being sold and at least 60 cats who had been living there 'had to go'.  The scene that awaited the rescuers who went to help these animals defies belief and is too graphic to depict here.

Following a thorough assessment and on veterinary advice, it was decided that due to the inbreeding and sickness in the colony, all of the cats, including kittens and pregnant females, would have to be euthanased.

This was a situation that was avoidable.  These cats didn't just materialise overnight.  This situation was cretaed by human ignorance, indifference and a lack of recognition of cats as creatures capable of feelings or rights.

This situation is played out all over this island on a daily basis.  Cats are persecuted and neglected in a way reminiscent of the middle ages! 

Ecclesiastes 3.19:

"For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and humans have no advantage over the animals; for all is vanity. All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the human spirit goes upwards and the spirit of animals goes downwards to the earth? "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

17th June, 2007

There was no final cuddles for these cats, there was little dignity for the humans who had a job to do.  No euthanasia through a vein, but a needled pushed into the crush trap, directed at the kidney area.

It was quick with skilled hands; hands that are used to saving not destroying.  Each cat was then given time, to ensure they had succumbed to the drug, then each cat had to be taken out laid on the ground and a stethoscope placed on its' chest to ensure it was dead.

"John", I panicked "I can still here a heart beat", he listened in with his stethoscope and shook him head, it was then I realized that the heart beat I heard was my own pounding in my ears.  We worked mainly in silence and the silence was deafening, no one relished what they were here to do.

When an animal is being PTS often their bowels and bladders go, it seemed the final insult in this situation.  These cats died as they had lived "unwanted" but with one exception - they were given recognition.

I did a very bad thing against everyones wishes, (was it more to reinforce my own humanity, than for the cat? I guess it might have been) I scooped up a feline.  Did I chose a kitten who up until today was blissfully playing ignorant of the forces that were about to descend on them, or one of the obviously pregnant cats?  No.........I was chosen by an old and battered black male; he had come up to me earlier.  The only one who had, in his own way, resigned himself to fate.

Why I took him was a purely selfish act of hope; because if we don't have hope we have little else.  The job is not over, the hay bales have to be searched, and searched again, in case we have left any tiny kittens behind.There will be cats who never ventured into the traps, and if we don't get them all this killing will have been for nothing.

I am not going to describe the disposal of these cats, as I am still very raw, but I held it together up until that point, which seemed strange.  I n'er shed a tear for the living but broke my heart for the deceased.

At times like this you look to blame, but who is to blame? The farmers who don't neuter? The folks who don't respect the cat as a sentient being? I don't think they are blameless, but I think the blame lays with THOSE WHO CHOSE TO DO NOTHING.

We are taking a break, some chose to go to the pub for a bite to eat, I chose to be on my own and come home, as that's what I do best in times like this, cut myself off from humans.

I thought I'd write this now rather than later, before the enormity of what I have been a part off sinks in.  Before the anger begins to seep over and I am blinded by injustice in my words; and in case my words are misconstrued as ANGER and BITTERNESS.

I would like to think that this has not  all been in vain, but I'm a realist......like the POUND DOGS who never see the light of day when in the pound, or flash of a camera, or get their pictures splashed on the WORLD WIDE WEB, there will be thousands of cats in similar situations all over Ireland  - the FORGOTTEN. No last minute reprieve for them.

No salvation for the meager price of €25, no being magically spirited away on a ferry in the wee small hours to pastures new.

I think the following sums it up so very well:

Success cannot be measured by the ones we save; but what we are doing for the ones left behind ~ Jan

ANVIL Ireland campaigns for responsible animal ownership and we believe that public safety is paramount.   We are in favour of updating of the Control of Dogs Act which would be effective nationwide, and would ensure traceability and accountability of owners.

We have submitted our recommendations to DCC and have asked for support in having them considered by the Minister for the Environment.

Banning specific breeds has not worked in other countries and wont work here.  The root problems in Ireland are, unregulated production of dogs, lack of traceability and accountability of owners, and lack of enforcement of the existing legislation.

When a dog attack is reported in the media, the focus is always on the breed rather than the owner.  While there are many incidents of dog bites by all sorts of breeds, the only ones the media focus on  are ones involving the so called 'dangerous' breeds so the public perception of these dogs is often skewed.

On the one hand, German Sheperds are used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and rescue dogs; on the other they are on the restricted breeds list.  This seems to be a contradiction, either these dogs are 'dangerous' or they're not.

We in Ireland must look at our overall attitude to animals, especially those that live in close proximity with us.  There needs to be more emphasis on public awareness campaigns and education of both children and adults.

Attempting to understand 'mans best friend' would be a better starting point rather than banning them.

26th July, 2007

ANVIL and other animal welfare oganisations met with representatives of DCC.  We have outlined our position on this matter and have asked for clarification, especially in relation to the decision making process.  We are awaiting specific information from DCC and our campaign against this purported ban is ongoing.

Please contact local councillors and relevant members of Dublin City Council outlining your opposition to this ban and asking that it be lifted.  There has been no council decision on this matter and from our information, members will be asked to vote on it in September.  Now is the time to voice your concerns.

You will find the details of local representatives on the lobby page of this site.  Please take the time to do this, if this ban is not stopped now it will spread to other areas.  You may not be affected at present but there is no guarantee that you wont be in the future.  Now is the time to act.  We would ask that people are polite and respectful in any communictions with either councillors or council officials on this matter.  We will update when we have more news.

15th July, 2007

Two of the main Sunday papers carried excellent articles on the outright stupidity of a blanket ban.  These articles highlight the lack of thinking on the part of DCC both in the introduction of this ban, and the implementation of it.

They also point to the real problems, lack of enforcement, on the part of DCC, of current dog control legislation; and the attitutude of Irish people, generally, to dogs.  DCC would be better advised to educate and enforce rather than ban and dictate.

ANVIL have offered to meet with DCC to discuss this matter.  We have contacted the relevant party group leaders within the council and we await a reply.  We will update with any developments.

14th July, 2007

News of this ban has spread like wildfire and we are receiving offers of support from all over the world.  No one should be complacent.  If DCC win this, the ban will undoubtedly spread to other local authorities and will be nationwide in no time.

Like the smoking ban, it will make its' way across the Irish Sea and even further afield.  Everyone needs to get behind the campaign to stop this ludicrous ban, please sign and crosspost our petition.  Write to DCC councillors show your support for Irish dogs and prevent this  happening in other places.

13th July, 2007

Peaceful protest at DCC headquarters was very successful with both affected tenants and animal welfare groups in attendance.  We were also joined by some very well behaved Staffies and a beautiful 'blonde' German Sheperd!  There was lots of media coverage which was all positive and there was support from passing motorists as well.

The fact that so many people turned out in driving rain and in spite of the misinformation emanating from the council, even as late as this morning, shows how strongly people feel about this issue.

12th July, 2007

Printable version of petition

Completed petitions should be sent to ANVIL Ireland, PO Box 10914, Dublin 22

12th July, 2007

The latest offical statement from DCC is that the ban still stands.  There is no back down by the council and the 11 restricted breeds can no longer be kept in DCC accomodation.

11th July, 2007

Everyone affected by Dublin City Councils' ban should be familiar with  particular sections of the relevant legislation i.e. the Control of Dogs Act, 1986.

Restricted breeds as outlined in the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Breeds), 1991 are the 11 breeds listed by Dublin City Council.

Dublin City Council and its' wardens can only enforce the existing legislation.  If you need any other information, contact us on 0861999512 or info@anvilireland.ie

A dog warden cannot enter your home to seize a dog unless a warrant has been issued.  If a warden tries to gain entry, call the Gardai or seek legal advice.

If you own a dog on the restricted breed list you should be aware of the law, i.e

you have a dog licence,

your dog is muzzled and leashed when out in public

your dog has a collar and identity tag

your dog hasn't caused a nuisance or attacked either people or other animals

Relevant Section of the Control of Dogs act, 1986, relating to the power of a dog warden.

Powers of dog wardens.  16.—(1) A dog warden may--

  ( a ) where he has reasonable grounds for believing that a person is committing, or has committed, an offence under this Act or under any regulation or bye-law made thereunder, request of the person his name and address and may request that any information given be verified;

  ( b ) seize any dog and detain it in order to ascertain whether an offence under this Act is being or has been committed and may enter any premises (other than a dwelling) for the purposes of such seizure and detention;

  ( c ) enter any premises (other than a dwelling) for the purpose of preventing or ending--

  (i) an attack by a dog on any person, or

  (ii) the worrying of livestock;

  ( d ) enter any premises (other than a dwelling)-

  (i) which are registered in accordance with regulations made under section 19 of this Act, or

  (ii) where he has reasonable grounds for believing that more than five dogs which are aged over four months are kept,

  and therein examine such dogs as he may find there and the kennels or part of the premises in which the dogs are kept;

  (e) request any person who owns, is in charge of, or is in possession of a dog to produce, as the case may be, a dog licence or a general dog licence, within ten days of the date of the request, for examination by the dog warden.

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Dangerous dogs does not necessarily mean a restrcted breed, any dog who attacks people or livestock could be considered dangerous regardless of breed.  Keeping your dog under effectual control is important.  Your dog should not be out alone or under the control of someone under the age of 16.

Know the law

Relevant section of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, relating to Dangerous dogs

Dangerous.  22.—(1) Where--

  ( a ) on a complaint being made to the District Court by any interested person that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control, or

  ( b ) on the conviction of any person for an offence under section 9 (2) of this Act,

  it appears to the Court that the dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control, the Court may, in addition to any other penalty which it may impose, order that the dog be kept under proper control or be destroyed.

  (2) Whenever the Court orders the destruction of a dog pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the Court may--

  ( a ) direct that the dog be delivered to a dog warden or any suitable person to be destroyed, and

  ( b ) direct that the expenses of the destruction of the dog be paid by the owner of the dog.

  (3) Whenever a dog is delivered to a dog warden or any other person pursuant to an order of the Court to be destroyed, the person to whom the dog is delivered shall, as soon as possible, destroy the dog, or cause it to be destroyed, in a humane manner.

  (4) Any sums payable by the owner of a dog pursuant to a direction of the Court under subsection (2) (b) of this section may be recovered by a local authority as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

  (5) Where a dog is proved to have caused damage in an attack on any person, or to have injured livestock, it may be dealt with under this section as a dangerous dog which has not been kept under proper control.

  A dog warden or a member of the Garda Síochána cannot enter your home without a warrant.  A warrant can only be granted under the Control of Dogs Act in the following circumstances.

Search warrants will usually only be granted where a breach of the Control of Dogs Act has or is thought to have occurred.

Relevant section of Control of Dogs Act, 1986, relating to Search warrants

Search warrants.  26.—(1) If a Justice of the District Court or a Peace Commissioner is satisfied by the information on oath of a member of the Garda Síochána that there were reasonable grounds for believing that--

  ( a ) a dog has attacked a person or has worried livestock, and

  ( b ) in consequence of the attack or the worrying, the owner of the dog has committed an offence under this Act, and

  ( c ) a person is in possession in any premises of a dog which the member of the Garda Síochána has reasonable grounds for believing to be the dog involved in the said attack or the said worrying,

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10th July, 2007

ANVIL is consulting legal advisors on this matter.  We will be informed in the next few days of the best course of action to take from a legal standpoint.  We intend to take any action necessary to fight this discriminatory ban.

If you are worried or have been approached about your animals, contact us on info@anvilireland.ie or 0861999512.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9th July, 2007

Our advice to anyone who may be affected by this move by Dublin City Council is to sit tight.  Don't panic, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau and seek legal advice.  This would seem to be an attack on peoples' civil liberties as much as anything else.

If we allow this ban to be implemented, where wil it end.  Your pet could be next.  Please don't allow these dogs to be killed because of a few irresponsilbe owners.  Let your local representatives know how you feel.  These dogs can't represent themsleves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

July, 2007

Dublin City Council has announced a ban on the eleven restricted breeds from all Dublin City Council properties.  This includes; houses, flats and estates and is with immediate effect.  The council also plans to amend by laws which would include a ban in public parks also.  The council have written to the Minister for the Environment, Mr John Gormley, calling for a nationwide ban.

This move will see the destruction of thousands of family pets and is ill informed and unwelcome by most animal lovers and dog owners.  One of the aims of ANVIL is to promote responsible pet ownership through education and properly enforced legilsation.  This action will do nothing to either educate the public or tackle the problem of agressive dogs.

Outright bans have nor worked in other countries and have led to criminal activity involving certain breeds, being driven underground or undesirables moving to other breeds.  Many of the breeds listed in the 1991 regulations were originally herding animals, it is bad breeding, irresponsible ownership and a lack of enforcement of the existing legilsation that sees them now facing death and an uncertain future.

If this ban goes ahead, which breed will be next?  Presently Italy have over 90 breeds which are 'restricted', including collies and corgis.  Is this the way Ireland is heading?  Animal owners are being legislated out of existence.

That this decision could be reached so quickly in a country that has waited almost 100 years for updated animal protection legislation and over a year for regulations to control dog breeding speaks volumes.  It reinforces the perception that we are not a nation of animal lovers and have a long way to go before we can truly take our place among civilised countries.

We would call on all reasonable people to call on Dublin City Council to reconsider this ban and also to lobby the Minister for the Environment to ensure a nationwide ban is not implemented.  Details of councillors may be found on the lobby page  See also the ANVIL press release

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January, 2007

Recent media articles has led to discussion about tighter controls of certain breeds.  In Ireland we have the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991, which specifies which breeds are affected by this legisaltion and what those controls are.

A brief summary is outlined below:

The current list:

Control of Dogs Regulations 1991

Section 4:

This article shall apply to every:

American Pit Bull Terrier

Bull Mastiff

Doberman pinscher

English Bull Terrier

German Shepherd (Alsation)

Japanese Akita

Japanese Tosa

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rottweiler

Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and

to every dog of the type commonly known as the Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described in this article

Basically these dogs can't be in a public place unless securely muzzled and led by a strong chain or leash not exceeding 2 metres and by a person over 16 who is capable of controlling the said dog.

Understandably there have been calls for a review of legislation to prevent tragedies from occuring here, but we would hope this is carried out in a measured and well informed way to prevent innocent animals and responsible owners suffering needlessly.

 2007 
lOperation ANVIL at the Point

ANVIL meets Daniel and Mary at the Point!

A couple of weeks ago, Daniel O'Donnell and Mary Duff took some time out of their very busy schedules to meet with some members of ANVIL Ireland, inlcuding Tara, the Lurcher, and Big Jim, the Yorkie.   Both of these dogs were rescued from dreadful circumstances. 

Tara was rescued in Tipperary and had given up on life completely.  She spent months in rescue with a wonderful lady, who gave her a reason to trust humans again.  Jim, Jim, as he is affectioinately known, was rescued from a Dublin dog pound and weighed in at less than 1kilo.  Below is a photo taken on the day he was rescued.

These are just two of the throwaway dogs we produce every year in Ireland, many of whom end up just another statistic.  Happily, I have the privilege of sharing my home with these two dogs and they are very much loved and valued members of our family.

It is to highlight the plight of dogs and other animals in similar circumstances that ANVIL was established, and it says a lot about the calibre of Daniel and Mary that they took the time for those least able to speak for themselves.

Daniel included a piece in his column in the Sunday World on the work of ANVIL and we are really appreciative of his support.

We wish Daniel and Mary continued success and thank them both for caring.

                                                                                     

Cats

Cats are Ireland's 'invisible' shame.  Although supposedly protected under the 1911, Protection of Animals Act, there is no real protection for cats in this country.  Our attitude towards these creatures is at best, superstitious, at worst, downright cruel. 

There are no native wild cats in Ireland, yet terms like 'wild' and 'feral' are bandied about, both in the media and in the Oireachtas. Every domestic cat in Ireland can trace it's ancestors back to a family pet and 'wild' or 'feral' cats are no more than abandoned domestic cats or their descendants.

The government appears to be unaware as to the number of cats, abandoned or otherwise, that there are in Ireland.  This has been used an excuse to do nothing about the problem for decades.  While very little is known about cat numbers in Ireland, a lot of research has been done in the US.

Dr Julie Levy of the University of Florida, has carried out extensive studies and came up with a formula for estimating the approximate number of abandoned cats in an area.  By simply multipying the number of households by 0.5, a reasonable estimate may be established.  Dr Levy also found that trapping and killing these cats did not solve the problem while trapping, neutering and returning the cats, did.

Based on this formula we can estimate that approximately 180,000 kittens will die in Ireland each year.  Many will die a slow and painful death from starvation as pest control companies will trap nursing mothers leaving the kittens behind.  The old method of drowning young kittens is still used in many parts of the country, while some rescues have discoverd kittens tied up in fertiliser bags or rubbish bags.  This is the ultimate in disposable living!

These animals did not create this problem, it is the result of human irresponsibility and indifference. Continual overbreeding and abandonment will ensure that many more of these beautiful creatures will suffer a similar fate.

Until cats are recognised as the companion animals that they are, and are given the protection they deserve, we will continue to see images such as these.  A simple solution to this is, spaying and neutering to reduce the numbers, and trap neuter and return programmes for abandoned cats. Funding needs to be made available from central and local government if a serious effort is to made to tackle this problem.

If you feel strongly about this issue or have been affected by the photos or the statistics, please contact your local representative and make him aware of of your views.  These kittens can't vote, you can, please make it work on their behalf!
                           

Welcome to Ireland, quite simply, a place to die for, especially if you are an animal!

Ireland is the jewel of Europe, with it's rolling hills, gently flowing streams, and forty shades of green, an absolute must for tourists.  Steeped in history, and rich in tradition, the international perception of Ireland has long been one of, warm welcomes and beautiful scenery.

There is another side to the emerald isle, the side the tourist industry and the government don't want you to see.  This is the underbelly of the Celtic Tiger, Ireland's invisible shame: our perception and treatment of animals.

In almost every corner of our fair isle you will find evidence of this indifference, nowhere is untouched by this epidemic.  Here are a few places to look out for in your travels.

Kildare

The green rolling plains of the Curragh extend for miles and is home to stud farms and racing stables. 

If you look closely along the ditches though, there are other sights to see; like these puppies, drowned and dumped in a ditch along with their siblings who were still alive. 

The irony is, the dead pups were in a biodegradable bag!

 The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them, that's the essence of inhumanity ~ George Bernard Shaw

Limerick
Limerick, you're a lady, or so the song goes. Standing on the majestic Shannon and boasting the Golden Vale and the Galtee Mountains as places to see, Limerick is a must for all travellers.  You don't have to look far to see some unforgettable sights. 

In a country with more money than we know what to do with, with more educated people than ever before, this is how our animals are treated.

I hold, that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to the protection by  man, from the cruelty of man ~ Mahatma Ghandi

Tipperary
It's a long way to Tipperary, the largest inland county in Ireland.  Tipp boasts the Rock of Cashel, once home to the Kings of Munster.  Holy Cross Abbey is a reminder of Tipperary's Monastic heritage, and was once a centre of prayer and learning.

Apart from the scenery, however, there are other sights awaiting visitors.


"Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace "~ Albert Schweitzer

Cork
Cork is the largest county in Irealnd and is considered by many Cork people as the 'real capital'!    Lots to see in this vibrant county, visitors may even get 'the gift of the gab' by kissing the Blarney stone.

Even on the banks of the lovely Lee, the Celtic Tiger reveals its' underbelly.  Sights like this abound in the countryside and many visitors have come across them from time to time.
 

"Cruelty to animals is one of the most significant vices of a low and ignoble people" ~ Alexander Von Humbolt


Dublin
Welcome to Dublin's fair city, the capital of  Ireland and the seat of the Irish government. Dublin is a city of contradictions. Our wealth and cosmopolitan appearance is a veneer, and you don't have to scratch the surface too deeply to reveal what lies beneath.  Even in our capital, you will find the hidden side of Ireland. 

The celtic Tiger may be roaring, but our animals are being ignored and their cries are falling on deaf ears.

"He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals" ~ Immanuel Kant


"The greatness of a nation and its' moral progress can be judged by the way its' animals are treated" ~ Mahatma Ghandi

Enjoy Your visit to our beautiful country!

In the midst of this despair there is a community of dedicated people who are trying to stem the tide of suffering.  They are working day in, day out, often at great personal and emotional cost to themselves.  The Irish people as a whole, are a kind and noble people, and when they are made aware of what is happening in this country, we believe there will be an outcry.  For the animal's sake, lets hope it is soon.

Irelands Pound Problem
Press Release on 2005 Dog Control FiguresTO:

Thursday, September 7, 2006 : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRELAND PUTS ITS POUND PROBLEM QUIETLY TO SLEEP - AGAIN

The 2005 dog control figures just released by the Minister of the Environment show that 16,546 dogs – most healthy – were destroyed last year. Although down on last year’s figure of 16,598, this represents a 0.3% decrease.

The total number of dogs held in Irish pounds increased from 24,716 in 2004, to 25,510 in 2005, representing a 3% increase in total numbers entering pounds, proving the overall situation is not improving.

Limerick City leads the Counties’ League with an almost 100% destruction rate, followed by Mayo, Kerry and Tipperary North and South, each with destruction rates of 90% or more.

On the other hand, the increase shown in the rehoming of dogs by Counties
Leitrim, Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Louth is explained by their policy of working with rescue groups

Dog Control Figures/2

Dog pounds exist to act as reception areas for the custody or safekeeping of animals seized or surrendered, yet many of these so-called facilities are, effectively, Death Row for dogs whose owners just want to dump or ‘lose’ them.
This situation is underwritten by the total lack of accountability of many local authorities in their capacity as service providers – and so, taxpayers’ money is used to remove the responsibility from dogowners who just don’t care.

Ultimately, the production of unwanted animals needs to be stopped via spaying, neutering and owner traceability. In the meantime, local authorities must be made accountable for this preventable scandal. 

ANVIL Ireland is currently investigating how the various service providers operate and will soon present recommendations to reduce destruction rates to both Government and local authorities.

For more information, contact: Miriam Anderson, ANVIL Ireland Co-ordinator @0861999512 and/or visit the ANVIL Ireland website www.anvilireland.ie