Puppy found clinging to tree in NI canal sparks fears of ‘Christmas landfill’

The suspected beagle, believed to be only about six weeks old, was rescued by a family determined to identify the cry they heard while walking along the 7km-long Coalisland Canal last Friday.

Drumbonaway Kennels shared a photo of the dog online with a call for help finding the owner, however no one has come forward.

But Coleen Cunningham, from the rescue shelter, has helped ensure the story has a happy ending.

“A family was walking and they heard crying, but they didn’t know what it was, if it was a child or a bird,” he explained.

“They made their way through the trees and found a small thing clinging to a tree at the water’s edge.

“They called us and we said ‘take it down.’

“He was very cold, wet, hungry and traumatized when he arrived here, but he is in very good shape now and the family who found him will give him a good home.

“So it’s worked out well for him and everything feels like it’s meant to be, which is wonderful.”

Cunningham believes the pup, which does not yet have a name, is too young to have wandered to the location where it was found.

“Based on the circumstances, I think someone had to have abandoned him,” he said.

“He’s very small, I’d say he’s between six and eight weeks old.

“Judging by his dog face, it looks like he’s a beagle or beagle mix, but we’ll have to wait and see what he turns into.”

Cunningham said the pound is normally inundated with abandoned animals this time of year, but this incident is the only one they are aware of in the area.

“I don’t know if the clampdown on puppy farming is helping or if there is less breeding after the pandemic because there is less money, but so far we haven’t seen the numbers we are used to, which is good.” she said.

“But there may be a lot of dumping in the new year as a result of the Christmas dumping, so we will have to wait and see what happens in January and February.

“We’ll have to play it by ear.”

High demand, especially for trendy designer puppies, during the coronavirus lockdown meant a boom for illegal dog breeders and traders.

A series of prosecutions resulting from Operation Dolphin across the UK and a post-pandemic drop in the number of people buying dogs may be deterring sellers from taking the risk.

The rescued puppy has already recovered and is enjoying the warmth after receiving the go-ahead from the vet after the checks.

He is now in his forever home after being picked up by his excited new owners this afternoon.