Northern Ireland

£1000 award offered to find perpetrators of acid attack on dog

Two-year-old Brian Thornton from Newry with his "best buddy" Patch, who had to be put to sleep this week after she was targeted in an horrific acid attack
Two-year-old Brian Thornton from Newry with his "best buddy" Patch, who had to be put to sleep this week after she was targeted in an horrific acid attack Two-year-old Brian Thornton from Newry with his "best buddy" Patch, who had to be put to sleep this week after she was targeted in an horrific acid attack

A £1,000 reward has been put up to help find those responsible for a horrific acid attack on a pet dog in Co Down.

There was an outcry over the incident in Newry earlier this week which led to the four-year-old Staffordshire terrier, Patch, being put to sleep due to the devastating nature of her injuries.

A vet described it as the worst case of animal cruelty he had ever seen.

Animal welfare charity, the USCPA, is offering the reward in the hope of securing a conviction.

Its chief executive Brendan Mullan said it had "triggered a tidal wave of revulsion".

"Through the generosity of the public, we are now able to offer this £1000 reward," he said.

"We would encourage anyone with information that may assist the PSNI in their investigation to contact them on the 101 number. It is important that the perpetrators of this vile and cruel act are found and brought before the courts."

In yesterday's Irish News the dog's owners described Patch as a "loving, gentle" pet and say they have been left distraught.

Eilise Ni Cormaic, said that her daughter Seanna Thornton (20), who owned the dog, were so afraid that she and her two-year-old son, Brian, have not returned to their home.

"There was acid of some sort poured over the dog and into the dog. Her eyes were blinded and her insides so badly burned...the neighbours did not even recognise her.

"My daughter is so terrified she hasn't slept at home since it happened. We are actively out looking for a new home for my daughter to move to as she is adamant she won't be staying."

Vet Liam Fitzsimons of Newry Veterinary Centre described Patch's injuries as so severe that that he would "take this case to my grave".