Petition launched to return emaciated dog to animal shelter
The photo of emaciated dog
THERE HAS been an ongoing dispute the past between Kildare Animal Foundation and Laois gardaí following the seizure and eventual return of a visibly emaciated dog.
Kildare Animal Foundation (KAF) responded to a call by a member of the public who was concerned about the dog’s welfare in the Laois area.
KAF reported that it responded to the call, with a volunteer arriving to the dog owners address at 8pm on Saturday 12 July. The owner of the dog was not home and the volunteer waited an hour and a half before calling the gardaí.
The KAF volunteer then called the gardaí for assistance and for permission to remove the dog from the premises.
Lauren the dog, a name given by KAF volunteers, was then taken to the vet for examination and later to a specialist for cataracts on her eyes. It was determined at the time that while the dog has diabetes, which has an impact on weight loss, the condition alone did not account for her extreme level of emaciation.
However, the gardaí subsequently came out with a statement which claimed that “the dog’s health was within the normal range for her condition”, according to the dog’s regular vet.
This information prompted gardaí to seek a warrant for the dogs removal from Kildare Animal Foundation to be brought back to her owner.
In a statement, the gardaí affirmed that: “The vet that assessed the dog also confirmed that the dog’s condition was acceptable and free to return home to its owner.”
Founder of Kildare Animal Foundation, Geraldine O’Hanlon spoke with the about the situation and said: “I believe the gardaí are doing their absolute best to resolve this. Over the last 30 years they have been fantastic. They’ve helped advise and protect us.”
Volunteers at KAF hold that the dog was not well enough to return home, citing a recent veterinary report that provides evidence for neglect.
“Our job is to help animals,” said Geraldine. “We let her go and it was heartbreaking. This situation highlighted a great, big hole we didn’t know was there.”
Geraldine, and all who volunteer at KAF have created a petition to get Lauren the dog back under their care.
They are writing to the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, to facilitate the return of Lauren to the shelter and for an independent investigation into the gardaí’s “handling of this case”.
KAF wrote on their online petition: “Contrary to prior statements by the Garda Press Office, no member of An Garda Síochána attended the veterinary clinic with the dog. The animal was transported and presented for care solely by volunteers from Kildare Animal Foundation. Gardaí were not involved in arranging or attending this medical assessment.”
It continued: “There is no documented veterinary evidence showing that this dog had been under regular or adequate care prior to the rescue.
"The current veterinary report held by the Kildare Animal Foundation provides compelling evidence of sustained neglect, documenting the dog’s severe malnourishment, complete blindness due to untreated diabetes, dangerously unstable blood glucose levels, and overall physical decline — all consistent with prolonged neglect rather than responsible care.”
A garda statement said: “An Garda Síochána is fully satisfied that the dog is cared for, will continue to check-in to ensure the vet’s care plan for diabetes is followed and therefore returned the dog to its rightful owner.
“While well-intended, the commentary shared on social media has not been accurate or helpful, and has caused upset to the dog’s owner.
“As was the case in this instance, we take concerns raised regarding an animal’s welfare very seriously and are looked at thoroughly. We'll continue to work closely with those that volunteer with animal welfare charities, those working with the Department of Agriculture and local authorities nationwide.
“Anyone not satisfied with the service provided by An Garda Síochána is entitled to make a complaint to the independent policing ombudsman, Fiosrú.”
Kildare Animal Foundation have been sharing the petition online, hoping to get enough signatures from the community and beyond for the return of Lauren the dog to their care.
To sign the petition, visit KAF’s link on: https://www.change.org/p/return-lauren-to-kildare-animal-foundation?recruiter=1379329289&recruited_by_id=36cfb0e0-6926-11f0-9843-e1a437e8eb72&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=starter_onboarding_share_personal&utm_medium=copylink
