Posted online: Dec 14th, 2011

By Lauren Harte
editor

A DONEGAL Town woman has spoken of her devastation after her prize-winning pup was poisoned and almost killed by toxic waste dumped in a local forest.
Marie McGettigan was travelling back from the US last week when she learned that her nine-month-old Labrador pup, Hunter, had taken ill. It is believed that Hunter, who along with Marie raises money for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, was poisoned by illegal substances dumped at the forest.
“He had been for a walk around the Drumkeelan Forest and was scuttling around all over the place as normal. Another dog that was with him was badly burned,” she said.
Marie has been breeding dogs for the past 30 years and is a long standing Guide Dogs volunteer and Chair of the Donegal Fundraising Branch.
She added: “I was told that he was with the vet but that things were not looking good. Hunter had been deeply unconscious for around 20 hours by the time I got home to Donegal and it was 36 hours before he sat up. I was devastated. It was very worrying but I’m so grateful to the staff of the Seaview Veterinary Clinic who were fantastic.
“People are obviously dumping a lot of toxic substances in that forest which poses a real health for both animals and humans,” Marie added.
The matter is currently being investigated by gardai in Donegal Town and officials from Coillte.
Thankfully Hunter is back to full health again and was even fundraising with Marie in the SuperValu Shopping Centre last weekend for the Irish Guide Dogs. He will also be competing in the Dublin Dog Show Society All Breed Championships on 27 December.
Hunter recently won first place in the Minor Puppy Category at the Belfast Championship Dog Show, which qualifies him for the 2012 Crufts Dog Show at The NEC, Birmingham next March.