A Limavady family have told of their heart break after their pet dog was found dead, hung from a metal pole in the backyard of their home.
Two year old Buster was bought as a birthday present to the woman’s child.
But early on Tuesday morning, the family made the gruesome discovery that their white and brown coloured Jack Russell pet dog, had been hung with its own lead, in the backyard of their home in Drumachose Park.
The owner, a mother of three young children, said the family is devastated and can’t understand why anyone would do that to an animal.
“Buster was more than a dog,” she told the Derry Journal.
“He was part of our family. Why would anyone do that to a wee dog.”
The woman, who preferred not to be named, said Buster was a loveable playful dog and will be sorely missed by the family.
“When I opened the kitchen blinds ... I couldn’t believe it. I just closed the blinds and rang the police. When they came even they were distraught, “I am totally disgusted and sickened. I am heartbroken.”
Deputy Mayor of Limavady, DUP councillor Alan Robinson said he felt “physically sick with anger” when he heard of the incident.
“The dog owner contacted me on Tuesday morning in a distressed state telling me that Buster, her 2 year old Jack Russell had been found hanging from a pole in her back garden,” he said.
“I immediately visited the dog owner’s home and found a scene of utter devastation and a family mentally distraught at the needless horror inflicted upon their pet,” he said.
“There are no words to describe how I feel about those who can commit such barbarity on a little dog. As an animal lover and a dog owner I felt physically sick coupled with seething anger.
“The savages involved are clearly disturbed.”
Police in Limavady are appealing for information following the death of the dog.
“Sometime between the evening of Monday October 15 and 7.30am on Tuesday October 16, a Jack Russell dog was found dead by its owner in the back garden of a property,” a spokesman said.
“The dog had been taken out of its kennel and had been hung up by its lead.”
Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Limavady Police Station on 0845 600 8000.
Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Earlier this year, a family pet Collie died from her injuries after she had been set alight on a farm close to Maghaberry. She suffered severe burns and died several days later.
*Full report in Wednesday’s News Letter
