Thousands are urging the NI council to release an abandoned puppy for rehoming after a lengthy wait in kennels
Dundonald: So, there’s this puppy named Max who’s been stuck in kennels for ages. Poor guy spent Christmas and New Year there, all because the council can’t decide what to do with him.
He was found abandoned in early December, and since no one came to claim him, the council thought about putting him down. But Zara Duncan, a passionate campaigner, stepped in and offered to foster him until they figured out his breed.
Right now, the council is keeping Max until he’s old enough for them to officially determine his breed. Zara is really upset that they’re still asking for his original owners to come forward.
The USPCA and RSPCA have both asked the council to rethink their decision and let Max go to a new home. But it seems like a meeting to discuss his future has been postponed, which is frustrating.
At a council meeting before Christmas, experts said Max needs to be at least nine months old for them to figure out his breed properly. The council did say they’re making arrangements for more assessments, but they’re keeping quiet until that’s done.
Zara has already found a forever home for Max, which has been checked out by a charity and has a vet’s reference. She’s really pushing for the council to let him go.
She’s baffled that the council would rather send him back to the people who abandoned him instead of letting him go to a loving home. Max’s breed has been confirmed by his original owners, and he’s a mix of Staffordshire Bull Terrier and French Bulldog.
The council has been saying they’re carefully considering the situation, but Zara argues that Max is missing out on important puppy development time and, most importantly, love.
Max is seven months old now, and Zara points out that he was assessed too early. She insists that the council’s approach contradicts advice from DEFRA and the police, which states that dogs need to be physically mature for accurate assessments.
Zara believes the council should explore a framework proposed by the USPCA and Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary. This would allow Max to grow up in a safe foster home until he’s mature enough for a proper assessment.
She’s hopeful that the council can set a precedent that could save other dogs in similar situations. It’s a chance for them to really make a difference.
