Several German Shepherd dogs dumped in rural Fermanagh

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Katelyn Mannion from Lisnaskea, owner of Pets Lost and Found Fermanagh, explained that the latest German Shepherd that was rescued after being dumped in the area has since died.

“He came in, he was showing signs of heatstroke. He seemed to have maggots eating him alive and his back end was not functioning, he could not walk on his back end and unfortunately there was nothing the vet could do for him,” she said, commenting that the dog had been fondly named ‘Warrior’ by his rescuers.

Sadly Warrior the German Shepherd didn't survive.

The issue of German Shepherds being dumped was first raised to Pets Lost and Found Fermanagh in August 2022, when two dogs were discovered in The Knocks/Carnmore area.

“They were young, one was very badly injured, missing an ear. Just really, really neglected dogs.

“We had another two in a group and then we had another single one, around two miles from the original dumping ground,” said Katelyn, noting that Warrior was then found around two weeks ago in The Knocks/Carnmore area.

Not neutered

The Pets Lost and Found Fermanagh owner believes that the German Shepherds have all come from a puppy farm, due to the condition they were found in.

“All of the dogs that we have lifted haven’t been neutered, none of them are microchipped and the females have shown signs of breeding,” she said, adding: “From experience and having seen stuff like this before, I do believe it’s like a puppy farm or along those lines, with someone excessively breeding.

“That’s my suspicion because the ones that are being dumped, they would be no use for breeding anymore - they are too old or too skinny. Too neglected.”

Fortunately, since being rescued, the dogs are living happier, healthier lives.

Rescued German Shepherds Princess and Levina.

“The first two girls which were called Levina and Thora, Thora has now been called Princess, they went to Little China Dog Rescue. They had a lot of work, especially Princess. Her leg injury was so so bad, I’ve never seen anything like it. It seems that it had been broken in a couple of places when she was younger and just left to heal whatever way it healed so she had a lot of physical therapy, and her fosterer is keeping her.

“Levina was then adopted and a lot of work is required for her to mend still but they are doing really, really well.

“Then there was Wraith and Zeus. Wraith’s finder kept her. She originally weighed 10kg, she’s now 24kg and she’s doing well and her infections have cleared,” said Katelyn, continuing: “Zeus was completely blind and he went to Bright Eyes. He is in a long-term foster home at the minute who have experience with blind dogs.”

Wraith the German Shepherd.

Concerned that more dogs could be dumped in the area, Katelyn is appealing to anyone who has any information, to contact the police.

“I have definitely lost sleep over thinking about the dogs.

“If there’s anyone who suspects anything, it would just be fantastic if they could reach out to the PSNI because we would just love to have this nipped in the bud and not have to worry about them anymore,” she told this newspaper.