Statement In Response to Insight 19th November 2007 November 23, 2007
Posted by Jonny Mitchell in : Latest News , add a commentFollowing a UTV Insight documentary on Monday 19th November 2007 exploring pitbull-type dogs and the Dangerous Dogs Act, the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary would like clarify a number of the points raised.
Firstly, allegations were made during the programme that a Mr Alan Wade of the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary had acquired a dog called Tiny in an inappropriate manner from Carryduff shelter who subsequently found his way into our Sanctuary. We would like to reiterate that the Executive Management of the Sanctuary had no knowledge of the history of this particular dog until we were approached earlier this month by Mr Chris Moore of the Insight team. Once we were made aware of his concerns we opened up our records and co-operated fully with him.
The undercover footage shown of Mr Wade during the programme was taken approximately one year ago and Mr Wade was in fact dismissed from the Sanctuary during July of this year for a totally unrelated incident. He is no longer welcome at our premises.
Secondly, the Sanctuary was shocked and disappointed to hear during the course of the programme that Dr Roger Mugford had been filmed in conversation with an undercover reporter apparently discussing different ways to confuse the identity of a dog known by the reporter to be a Pitbull Terrier. It is widely known that Dr Mugford is an internationally acclaimed expert on pitbulls and pitbull type dogs and we consulted him when we heard that our local Council had concerns that we might have some of these banned breeds at our Sanctuary. He subsequently has given evidence in court on behalf of the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary in relation to 3 dogs that our local Council now believes to be of the pitbull type. Whilst the Insight programme has somewhat compromised Dr Mugford’s credibility, the Sanctuary did not rely solely on his evidence but also made use of the expertise of esteemed local vet, Mr Desmond Thompson OBE in presenting our case. The case is currently awaiting the judge’s decision.
Finally Mrs Doherty, the lady whose family and pets were brutally attacked in Randalstown forest last year by a Pitbull Terrier, stated during the programme that she had seen dogs at our Sanctuary “almost identical” to the one which attacked her and her family. If Mrs Doherty had spoken of her concerns to anyone at the Sanctuary that day we would have done our best to allay her fears and confirm that the dogs she had seen were not of the pitbull type. Instead she expressed her concerns to the local Dog Wardens who came to our premises the next day to check out the allegation and subsequently reported back to her that none of the dogs under our care were of the pitbull type. This did not satisfy Mrs Doherty who said on the Insight programme that the dogs had been moved during the interim period. This was untrue and the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary would like to state that we would not be involved in any attempt to pervert the course of justice. Indeed we work very closely with the local authorities and have always cooperated with them in every way possible.
The Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary abhors the practice of using dog for fighting and would in no way be involved in this cruel world. Indeed it is the antithesis of everything we stand for.
As a responsible local animal charity that depends entirely on the goodwill of the public to remain open and to follow our objective of finding good, loving homes for unwanted pets, we would not like to think that these comments would prejudice the people of Northern Ireland against the good work that we continue to do.
For further information please contact Grace Orbinson of the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary on 028 94463993.
Have You Seen Max? November 20, 2007
Posted by Jonny Mitchell in : Found , add a comment
‘Max’ was taken for a walk by a volunteer from the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary on Sunday the 18th of November at around 3pm. He managed to “slip the lead” at around 4pm in the Greystone area, around Firmount Drive. If you have seen him or have ANY information, PLEASE get in touch. ‘Max’ is a 3 year old, neutered male Rottweiler. The staff and volunteers at the Sanctuary urgently need to know that Max is safe; there are several ways of getting in contact:
TELEPHONE: 028 944 63993
EMAIL: contact@midantrimanimalsanctuary.org
VISIT: Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary
Greystone Road
Antrim
BT41 2QN
Any information will be dealt with in confidence.
