My apologies for being silent on this issue for a long while, the upset and stress and sheer frustration that it causes me can sometimes overwhelm me and I have to step away for a while. The issue itself though has sadly not gone away and is worse than ever.

A few days ago a local dog abuser, well known to the local Animal Charity, Gardai, and Dog Warden was understood to have more than 30 dogs in horrendous conditions, locked in boots and insides of scrap cars, and imprisoned in metal boxes so small that the dogs could not stand or turn around. The dogs were not kept for short periods in these conditions as it was apparent that the rope they were tied with had become imbedded in muck and faeces that the dogs were lying in. After reporting the problem to the Dog Warden, and Gardai, and nothing being done to help these beautiful animals, a friend of mine went to his home in desperation and offered to buy the dogs from him. She gave the man €955 to buy the dogs. He agreed to part with a few for this amount and my friend took them to kennels in the hope of getting them veterinary help and maybe new homes. Shockingly the Dog Warden, without any investigation, reported the dogs as MISSING/STOLEN and the Gardai, who had previously refused to get involved, now decided to help the abuser reclaim the dogs. The Dog Warden had asked my friend where the dogs were, who innocently told her not thinking for a moment that she would be trying to take them back to the abuser. Later that day the Gards went to the kennels and returned the dogs to the known abuser. This man has been a known dog abuser for more than 10 YEARS. My friend had to go back to the man and give him another €1,000  ( this time she got him to sign a paper ) in order to get the dogs back. There are still many dogs at this premises and the abuser is still at liberty to obtain more. The Garda and council refuse to prosecute. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I have come to the realisation that the authorities are purposefully trying to cover up the neglect and abuse of animals here in County Mayo and other areas where there is no appointed animal welfare officer. The sad fact is that the Dog Warden is NOT appointed to deal with ANY animal welfare issues and her remit is to only check for chips and licenses, dogs could be hanging from the rafters but as long as they are still alive and have a chip and a license, all is well with her. If anyone calls the Dog warden to report cruelty or neglect NOTHING  will be done. The Gards will not intervene in neglect or cruelty either even though it is their duty to uphold the law. It has become blatantly obvious that the authorities are trying to cover up the issue and pretend that we have no welfare issues. Maybe they think that opening the lid of Pandoras Box will mean that they have to pay for a Welfare officer, and pay for places to put the seized animals and spend time taking people to prosecution, so it is easier to ignore all abuse and neglect. PLEAS HELP ME RAISE AWARENESS AND STOP THIS COVER UP. I will hopefully be speaking on MidWest Radio on Monday morning 31st August, please call in to help the cause.