A distraught local family has this week offered a �2,000 reward for information that will lead to finding the person who poisoned their three dogs. The Sweeney family of Glasson is this week coming to terms with the loss of their dogs after the dogs were found to have consumed poison.
The family pets, two of which had been rescued from a dog shelter and the third found as a stray, last week died after what the owner believes to be an intentional poisoning. The three dogs; Murphy, Dora and Rufus were taken in by the Sweeney family over the past number of years. The family had one of the dogs for five years, one for eight months and the other for a week. Two of the dogs were black labradors and the other was a springer spaniel.
Sean Sweeney explained this week that the dogs were in fields around their house on December 15, 2005 with lots of other dogs and they became ill. One of the dogs died and the other two died within 12 hours. The vet who carried out post mortems on the dogs explained to Mr Sweeney that the dogs had presented with symptoms of neurological damage, vomiting and hyperthermia. Mr Sweeney added that while the vet was not yet aware of the substance used it was taken orally and in large quantities in order to have caused the damage it did so quickly.
This is not the first time that the Sweeney family have lost a dog this year. About eight months ago a golden retriever that they had had for seven months died after it consumed poison also.
Mr Sweeney has made his story public in an attempt to warn other dog owners and hopefully prevent further dog deaths. He told the Westmeath Independent that there had been a cluster of poisoning of dogs in the Glasson area over the last number of years.
He has offered a �2,000 reward for information leading to finding the person responsible. He has appealed for anyone with any information to come forward and either contact Athlone Garda Station or Crimestoppers on 1800 250 025.
Garda spokesman Sgt Paul Cuttle confirmed that Garda� were investigating an allegation that three dogs had been intentionally poisoned. He asked anyone who was aware of dogs being poisoned or of threats to poison dogs to contact Athlone Garda Station. He added that a local vet had carried out post mortems and the State laboratories would now carry out further tests.
The ASPCA said this week that it is legal for landowners to put poison on their land once they display signs informing the public that they have put poison down. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Athlone Garda
1800 250 025
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