The Plight of the Rottweiler January 5, 2008
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This is Max, one of the 13 Rottweilers at the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary. Our escalating numbers of this particular breed is due to several reasons. Firstly, you may be aware of the recent press coverage of horrific incidents which involved Rottweilers. The savagery leaves no room for excuses yet adds to the stigma attached to this breed which stems from their guarding reputation now descending into fear and loathing.
In the days following the horrendous attacks, perpetrated by Rottweilers, which were featured on television the Sanctuary received an unprecedented number of calls and visits from Rottweiler owners – all wanting to part with their pet due to fear. These dogs had been harmless, loyal companions for many years. This trend seems set to continue as we are still regularly receiving calls and run the risk of becoming a Sanctuary for these dogs alone.
Kennel space is of the essence and no shelter can afford to only house dogs which, for one reason or another, stand very little chance of being homed. Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary is always full outside its capacity with a waiting list stretching beyond the foreseeable future. The Rottweilers presently in our care arrived for varying reasons; people starting a family and lacking the time, not realising the effort required to care for a large breed, over-breeding – resulting in unwanted litters, abandonment, rescued cruelty cases, not being aware of the size a Rottweiler can become and, of course, fear of the biting potential.
The truth is, a Rottweiler raised and treated with love and care will be an absolute joy to have as part of the family. They are gentle and tolerant creatures by nature and have a strong urge for companionship. Their ‘use’ as guard dogs leaves them frustrated and destructive as their intelligence means they thrive on stimulation and socialisation.
The Rottweilers at the Sanctuary need a patient and devoted owner. If you think this appeal applies to you, or anyone you know, please get in touch – our helpful staff will talk you through all the requirements and give you the dog’s history. We will endeavour to match you up with the perfect pet and perhaps, if that companion is not a Rottweiler, you may fall for one of our other forty residents!
Not Forgotten January 2, 2008
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This time of year brings an element of reflection and here at the
Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary we take the opportunity to remember with
fondness residents who have passed over to ‘Rainbow Bridge’ during
2007.
If you are familiar with any of the following Sanctuary dwellers you
may also want to take a moment to reminisce. On behalf of each of them
the staff and volunteers would like to Thank You for taking the time
to befriend a Sanctuary inhabitant:
‘Ebony’, Black Cat. 20th March
‘Monty’, FIV Cat. 31st August
‘Twiggy’, Beagle. 11th September
‘Frankie Gilchrist’, FIV Cat, Long-Term Foster. 26th September
‘Roxy’, Staffie. 29th September
‘Tara’, Lurcher. 25th October
‘Seamus’ Grey and White Cat. 29th October
‘Harpo’, FIV Cat. 30th November
‘Dexter’, Staffie. 17th December
The accompanying photograph is of ‘Tara’. She was the Sanctuary’s
oldest resident, in that she was in our care since the Sanctuary
opened 11 years ago. Her timidity and gentleness reminds us just how
important a place of refuge is for such beautiful, yet unwanted,
members of our society.
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.
Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary Charity Dance October 8, 2007
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Friday 2nd of November 2007
Ramble Inn
Lisnevenagh Road, Antrim
Billy McFarland Showband & Guest Artists: clothears
GREAT RAFFLE and PRIZES!
Dancing 10pm - 1am
Admission £6.00
Tickets available at Sanctuary, by request or at the door.
Barney and Scrumpy, Homeward Bound September 12, 2007
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On the 19th of June, 2007 the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary Staff greeted two very sad new arrivals. Their upset owners had been offered the chance of a lifetime – a three year work placement in America. Barney, who had originally been a Sanctuary resident several years previous, recognised his surroundings and seemed to comfort Scrumpy.
Their distraught owners left them in the Sanctuary’s care on the Tuesday and by that Friday they had formed a remarkable bond with our devoted volunteers, Winston and Geraldine Livingstone. The couple, who are both retired, are faithful volunteers who fell for the Labradors with the ardour of the owners themselves.
Two months passed with Barney and Scrumpy looking forward with eager anticipation to their friends taking them out for adventures on an almost daily basis. With this in mind it was with a heavy heart that we broke the news of Barney and Scrumpys Pet-Passports and Veterinary Checks amounting to their imminent departure. Their Owners had been working tirelessly to secure their trip to the U.S.A. to be with them.
On the 3rd of September Mr. and Mrs. Cowton found themselves in the midst of a bouncy tail-wagging frenzy! The joyous reunion and painstaking paperwork involved spoke volumes of their love for their pets.
We were all both happy and sad to see them go – none more so than the kindly Livingstone couple, to whom we dedicate this story. Without their love and commitment to these elderly dogs their stay here would have signalled dissolution and inevitably, two more ‘Long-Term’ residents. So, on behalf of Barney and Scrumpy and for being the very definition of the Sanctuary’s ‘commitment to care’ – “Our Heartfelt Thanks!”
