The 2-year-old lurcher was found tied with a tight chain to a metal fence post in a secluded field, along with six helpless puppies still too young to open their eyes. They were abandoned without any food or water, with the mother struggling to nurse her babies due to the restriction of the collar and chain.
A kind-hearted passerby discovered the vulnerable mother and her puppies near Elphin, as reported by the Irish Times on November 6. They immediately sought help, leading to the rescue of the dog and her pups. They were then taken to a vet facility operated by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).
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It was a mystery how long the seven-member family had been stranded in that location. Rescuers suspected that the mother and her puppies were left there right after she had given birth, as reported by the Daily Mail. The family of seven dogs was taken to the ISPCA’s national animal center in County Longford for urgent medical attention. Luckily, despite the tough circumstances of hunger and cold, the mother and her pups were found to be unharmed.
The ISPCA received an outpouring of comments after posting pictures of the sweet and brave lurcher and her puppies on Facebook. One commenter expressed, “I have seen a lot of cruelty, but this photo is truly heartbreaking. It’s shocking to see this poor mom dog trying to protect her little ones.”
Even though microchipping is mandatory in the UK, the mother dog known as Emmy Lou by those who saved her did not have a microchip, making it impossible to find her original owner.
The adorable puppies go by the names of Billy Ray, Dixie, Dolly, Dotty, June, and Patsy. They are currently under the care of the ISPCA until they are ready to find their forever homes.
Just like animal welfare groups globally, the ISPCA advocates for pet owners to spay and neuter their animals to prevent the overpopulation of unwanted pets.
On a chilly November day in the Irish countryside, a kind individual by the name of Emmy Lou stumbled upon the puppies and their mother. This fortunate encounter could potentially change the lives of Emmy Lou and her puppies for the better in the years to come.