Northern Ireland

Donations pour in for ‘left for dead’ Labrador

The vet who treated Oscar said his injuries were the worst they had seen after 24 years in the job 
The vet who treated Oscar said his injuries were the worst they had seen after 24 years in the job  The vet who treated Oscar said his injuries were the worst they had seen after 24 years in the job 
By Cathal McGuigan

MORE than £6,000 has been raised for The Doghouse Sanctuary in Banbridge, following the release of shocking images of a badly injured ‘bait dog’.

Ten-month-old black Labrador mix Oscar was found with deep cuts all over his body on Sunday September 20.

It is believed Oscar was used to train other dogs to fight. Bait dogs are typically restrained and attacked by larger, more aggressive dogs.  

A spokesman for The Doghouse Sanctuary said that Oscar’s condition was “the worst case of cruelty and injuries that our vet has witnessed in 24 years”.

Oscar was "left for dead" by his owners and described as being in a critical condition for two days after he was found.

Graphic photos posted to the Sanctuary's Facebook page show the extent of Oscar's injuries, including cuts that were infested with maggots. 

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin is among those who condemned the cruelty and urged the public to report those responsible for dog baiting and fighting.

Following problems with his stomach and a "very serious" case of septicaemia, Oscar now appears to be recovering well, The Doghouse Sanctuary said.

Posted by The Doghouse Sanctuary on Thursday, September 24, 2015

A JustGiving Page set up on September 20 has received more than 500 donations, raising over £6,700 to date, more than four times the original target of £1,500.