Investigations are underway following the poisoning of a Search and Rescue Dog in Tipperary.
Bonnie – a Labrador/Collie cross – was being trained by a member of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association of Ireland.
The incident happened last Sunday week in woods on the foothills of the Knockmealdown Mountains near Clogheen. Sadly Bonnie passed away a few days later.
There are just 6 qualified dogs in the country with 4 of them part of the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association.
Gerry Tobin is a dog handler with SARDA – he says there have been other incidents of poisoning reported in the area.
“There are certain individuals who for whatever reason are putting out poisoned baits and targeting wildlife – buzzards, peregrines, badgers you know any animals like this are potentially going to be at risk of poisoning.
“And you’re also in a situation where you could have a family dog being exercised on a Sunday afternoon along the Blackwater Way and the following day that family dog could be dead.”
