They’re a bit shook up after it, they were very lucky to survive.”
The dogs’ owner, Aideen Kelly, was found after she read about the incident on the Limerick Animal Welfare Facebook page.
She stated: “The back gate was opened and the dogs just took off, but I have no idea where they were taken from. I was just really hoping that it was them when I heard about it. I’m delighted they’re back but I really want to catch the people who did this. It’s horrible what they went through.”
The incident is the second in recent weeks in which a dog has been dumped onto a busy road; last month, gardai had to assist in the rescue of Leonard, a boxer cross who was trapped in the centre of the M20.
Ms Quirke commented: “Leonard is still here and he’s up for rehoming. I don’t understand how anybody could do something so awful to a dog as friendly as him.”
Limerick Animal Welfare is urging all pet owners to have their animals microchipped so they can be quickly identified.
Ms Quirke concluded: “We have lots of dogs who should be at home with their owners but we can’t find who they are. A lot of vets in Limerick offer microchipping for just €20, and a tag with your number on it is just €8. It costs very little but it makes such a difference.”
Anyone with any information on the incidents can contact Limerick Animal Welfare on [email protected].