On Wednesday 15th of September 2010, Gardai in Finglas in Dublin, Ireland were alerted by members of the public who reported seeing a severely injured dog on Cardfiffbridge Road, Finglas. The dog had been maliciously handed a lit firework by a gang of youths and had lost the entire bottom of its jaw. Gardai rushed to the scene and managed to contain the injured animal.
Inspector Liam Kinsella responded to the emergency and rushed the dog to the Dublin SPCA veterinary surgeon, however there was no alternative but to euthanize the dog immediately as repair or recovery were impossible. Both Gardai and Dublin SPCA were shocked and appalled by the incident.
Dear Mr Ahern,
I am writing to express my total outrage at the mindless and sick act of cruelty carried out on Wednesday on a defenceless and innocent animal. The DSPCA reported that a gang of youths in Finglas placed a lit firework in a dogs mouth which subsequently blew the entire bottom of its jaw off.
I cannot imagine the distress, pain and suffering that poor unfortunate dog went through. So severe were her injuries, she had to be euthanized. As an animal lover, it is extremely upsetting to hear and read of such cruelty.
As Minister for Justice, I am pleading that you do everything in your power to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime be found, charged and the full weight of the law brought to bear on them. I would be interested to know what the normal sentence for such a crime is at present? This type of crime is a regular occurrence in the lead up to Halloween. As Minister for Justice it is within your remit to ensure the perpetrators of such crimes are severely punished to ensure a message is sent out that this type of crime on defenceless and trusting animals is completely unacceptable and will be dealt with accordingly.
Yours sincerely,
