Upset over injured dog

Upset over injured dog

15 October 2014

A BALLYNAHINCH grandmother has spoken of her upset after her dog was injured by an empty beer can discarded at a late night drinking party.
The black labrador sustained a nasty cut on its side after it rolled in grass strewn with bottles and cans in the Windmill Hill area of the town on Sunday afternoon, October 5.
The woman, who does not wish to be named, says the rubbish was left by “thoughtless teenagers” attending an 18th birthday party the previous night.
The dog underwent an operation the following Monday and its owner has been left with a sizeable vet’s bill.
The woman, who was clearly distressed, says she fears to think what might have happened had children been playing in the area.
“This happened close a children’s play area. There were broken bottles, empty beer cans and other remnants from a party,” she said.
The woman says the injures to her dog were worse than she first thought.
“The injuries were not life threatening, but it was distressing. This is
what happens when you let your dog off for a run. Just imagine what might have happened if it had been a small child.”
The woman contacted Down Council and the area has since been tidied up.
A council spokeswoman said: “Down District Council have cleansed the area. Down Policing and Community Safety partnership have been notified of the anti social behaviour at Windmill Hill and have instructed Community Safety Wardens to prioritise this area as a hotspot.
“The PSNI have also been contacted to discuss a possible joint safety strategy in the area.”