19/01/2006
Dogs kill endangered species at Belfast Zoo
Four stray dogs have attacked and killed a rare species in Belfast zoo.
The dogs dug their way into the Vicuna paddock and savaged two of the animals, which are the smallest members of the camel family.
One of the Vicuna's, a 12-year-old called Emma, was killed in the attack, and a six-month-old named Boris suffered severe abdominal injuries.
He required extensive surgery to his abdomen and is currently being monitored by staff.
Zoo staff managed to capture three of the dogs, but the fourth escaped and Belfast City Council Dog Wardens and members of the PSNI were called to assist with the situation.
Vicuna's, which are originally from South America, were almost hunted to extinction in the 70's for their valuable fleece and are still considered an endangered species.
(EF/SP)
The dogs dug their way into the Vicuna paddock and savaged two of the animals, which are the smallest members of the camel family.
One of the Vicuna's, a 12-year-old called Emma, was killed in the attack, and a six-month-old named Boris suffered severe abdominal injuries.
He required extensive surgery to his abdomen and is currently being monitored by staff.
Zoo staff managed to capture three of the dogs, but the fourth escaped and Belfast City Council Dog Wardens and members of the PSNI were called to assist with the situation.
Vicuna's, which are originally from South America, were almost hunted to extinction in the 70's for their valuable fleece and are still considered an endangered species.
(EF/SP)
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20 July 2004
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Local authorities in Northern Ireland destroyed nearly 4,000 stray dogs last year according to a new survey by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. The figure equates to an average of 11 dogs a day being put to sleep – an increase of 15% on the previous year and in stark contrast to the 2% decrease seen across the UK as a whole.
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