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Cancer dog thrown out by owners in Derry
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Tally who had to be put down after being found in a neglected condition in the Shantallow area of Derry.
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This is the tragic picture of cancer-riddled Tally just hours before she had to be put down after she was found wandering the streets of Londonderry.
The Golden Retriever’s sad eyes belie the true extent of her pain and the catalogue of abuse she had suffered.
Starved Tally who weighed just 20 kilos — less than half a Retriever's normal body weight — had protruding hip bones, kidney failure, was partially blind and deaf and had tumours on her mouth, side and back.
Horrified Louise Graham, a volunteer with Rainbow Rehoming Centre, who found the elderly dog, said it was one of the worst cases of neglect and animal cruelty she had ever witnessed.
“I have seen some terrible cases of neglect and animal cruelty over the years, but this case questioned my faith in the human race,” she said.
Poor Tally, named by Rainbow Rehoming Centre, was discovered wandering in the Shantallow area of Derry on Friday night after a call from a member of the public.
Ms Graham said: “I could immediately see that she was in a horrific condition. Her coat was extremely matted, absolutely filthy and soiled with her own dirt. In places the mats were the size of oranges, weighing her already frail body down.
“Her hip bones protruded through her smelly, scraggy coat, her ribs were easy to touch under the huge mats. Her eyes were foggy and we thought she may have been partially blind. She was very weak, confused and nervous of us at first, reluctant to be touched.”
Tally was taken to the rehoming centre, where she was fed, devouring the bowl of food but it was not until the next day the full extent of her shocking condition emerged.
“We gave her a cosy bed under a heat lamp, she curled up and you could see she was relieved to have some comfort,” Ms Graham said.
“Early the next morning she was taken to a dog groomer, where she was shaved so we could see the full extent of her pathetic body. When the matted coat was removed it revealed a body far worse than we could have initially imagined.”
Tally was taken to a vet where it was discovered she had no chance of survival.
“Every vertebra on her spine was clearly visible, she had tumours on her back end, mouth and side and lumps were clearly visible all down her side. She was well on the way to being blind and deaf.
“The vet thought she may have suffered a stroke; she had a weak heart, failing kidneys and crackly lungs. She weighed only 20 kilos, 30 being the average weight for her breed. This poor girl had clearly suffered for a prolonged period and was obviously neglected.
“On the vet’s advice she was put to sleep at once, it would have been cruel to keep her alive for any longer. This was the last kind thing we could to do for her. She died in pain, confused, starved and without dignity.”
Ms Graham has appealed to people to make sure animals are given a voice.
“You don’t have to be an animal lover to speak up, help or show compassion” she said. “Please don’t let Tally’s death have been in vain. If you see an animal suffering or being neglected, I urge you to get in touch with your local rescue centre or take it to a vet.
“Although Tally was wandering the streets in Shantallow, she had not been seen by local dog walkers in that area before; she may have got out or been let out from a yard where she was being kept.”
Anyone with information on Tally’s possible owner or any other information regarding this situation is asked to contact PSNI Strand Road or rainbowrehoming@gmail.com or 028 7181 2882.
Comments
70 Comments
Bert you are a berk, this is nothing to do with political correctness, this is about extreme cruelty to a helpless dog. There were many questionable practices during the war, but I don't think we would now find them all acceptable!!! Like M Graham, you seem to be a total idiot!
Posted by mia | 12.02.10, 21:29 GMT
i have keep dogs for over forty years and reading about that poor dog makes me feel sick how anyone could leave a dog in that state people get pups for their children but forget they have to be toilet trained and grow up into larger dog and live to at least ten to fourteen years if your not prepared to look after it for a long time dont have one its time dogs sold by breeders have owners register their dog before its handed over and have them chipped and neutared
Posted by norman.d | 11.02.10, 20:37 GMT
i didnt realised so many people actually would be effected by this, im glad to see they have. its soooo sad. its about time tougher laws were brought in.
and as for calling us that are appauled by this 'idiots' - im very happy to be an idiot. at least we arent doing harm to anyone or anything else!!
m graham - you are the only idiot!!!
Posted by me | 11.02.10, 13:25 GMT
If it were cancer riddled people they would be able to speak out. No such luxury for animals. Idiots you say? I would rather be a dog loving idiot than a heartless excuse for a human being.
Posted by Podret | 11.02.10, 10:22 GMT
I live in the USA and the people that are caught and convicted of animal neglect/abuse are fined, and imprisoned. I agree that they deserve the same treatment that they served to the animal,if you cant take care of it...get it a new home. Never is it acceptable to do this to an animal. ROT IN HELL!! Inhumanity at its best.
Posted by Dana | 11.02.10, 10:13 GMT
I hope that the scum who let this poor dog get into this state have heard the saying "What goes round comes round".
I hope with all my heart that they have as painful and neglected end as this poor dog Tally.
If it were up to me I would hang the low life who neglect and abuse animals.
Petition your MPs for a change in law.
Posted by Dog Lover Carrickfergus | 10.02.10, 21:51 GMT
As a vet who used to work in northern ireland, this is a very common story, dogs dumped when they get elderly and infirm , found wondering the streets confused and hungry. The animal charities do a wonderful job and many of these dogs get a loving home. This poor girl was not so lucky. I would like to point out to m grahame and look around you...this story is important , so it should be front page news, the owners should be ashamed. At least people have a chance to make something of their lives against adversity as they have choices ...dogs dont get the choice ...Im sure a good majority of bt readers feel a lot more sympathy for this dog and those like her than people...whose circumstances are often of their own doing
Posted by cp | 10.02.10, 21:26 GMT
The picture is the most horrifying thing. You have to wonder about the humanity of people who would do a thing like that to an innocent dog.
Jail tthose who did this if they can be found - or even better deny them food for a few days so they can feel exactly what they put that poor animal through.
Posted by John Q. Public | 10.02.10, 19:57 GMT
I agree with M Graham. During the war we used to eat dogs and nobody complained then. It's political correctness gone mad.
Posted by Bert | 10.02.10, 13:07 GMT
You people are idiots.
Posted by M Graham | 10.02.10, 10:41 GMT
Mr Graham have you never heared of the saying " so you sow, so you shall reap."
Sweet Tally was a better dog than you will ever be as a person, she cared, loved showed affection to those who abandoned her.
have fun sweetheart at the Rainbow Bridge, so glad you knew kindness from the kind people who found you darling.
Posted by dog lover | 10.02.10, 08:35 GMT
Words fail me , as I read the article on Tally. We have a shepherd who is on injections every other month, we love her, plus when you take an animal into your home , that animal becomes part of your family , and your responsibility. Personally I would like 5 mins with these people . they should be jailed, I wish someone in goverment would start making examples of these insane people. shame on you.
Posted by liz and chic Reid | 10.02.10, 01:27 GMT
M Graham sounds like the sort of person who could have been the poor dog's owner. I find it very difficult to understand why he said what he said.
Posted by Dog Lover | 10.02.10, 00:10 GMT
Dear God, if the headline was "Cancer-riddled people abandoned by NHS" would there be such an outcry? while I disagree with what the owner has done I think people posting here need a reailty check!
Posted by bring back hanging! | 09.02.10, 21:37 GMT
Maybe we should lobby the new NI justice minister whenever they start for harsher sentances for these scumbags.
Posted by Andy | 09.02.10, 20:20 GMT
Sadly this is not uncommon in N.Ireland.
We are a charity for animal rescue in the Lisburn area and took in a similar case before Xmas in the snowy frozen weather.
We named her Saoirse-freedom-she is partly blind and deaf and is now living with a charity member in comfort , for as long as God gives us with her.
What can you do?
Join a group like ours and make a difference.
For more details on Saoirse and the group ,go to http://acornlisburn.weebly.com
Thank you for reading this-but it is vital that you take this one step further and visit our site.
Love from acornliburn and Saoirse and friends.
Posted by acornlisburn | 09.02.10, 19:11 GMT
Is there the slightest possibility that you could publish a picture of the poor dog's owners just before they were put to sleeep ... please.
Posted by Canute | 09.02.10, 17:29 GMT
M Graham you should be ashamed of yourself, you have no heart. Im glad that in the end that Tally was showed some compassion and love, god help the wee dog and shame on the owners.
Posted by Graeme | 09.02.10, 17:23 GMT
I had a dog that had to be put down due to Cancer. She was a very lively and beautiful dog. It broke my heart for weeks. Seeing this makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. Find the owners and imprison them.
Posted by Jay | 09.02.10, 17:20 GMT
My heart goes out for that poor animal. However there are horrible people out there that are cruel to people as well as animals. We found a kitten that was only 5 weeks old she was the only survivor her siblings were all dead. The amount of people who came to her help was amazing. Yes we will hear of cruel people, but we do not hear of the people who step up and step forward to help l,ike the people who were concerned to contact people like Ms Graham or the police.
Posted by linda | 09.02.10, 16:57 GMT
70 Comments