A dog in Co Monaghan that was at risk of being put down has been saved by a new owner.
On Sunday, animal charity "My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue" thanked the public for its assistance in taking the dog from Monaghan County Council Dog Pound and into foster care.
The online post said the dog was a day away from being put down due to overcrowding issues.
However, it's been warned that there are already two other dogs in a similar situation at the local pound.
In a statement to Northern Sound, Monaghan's dog pound manager said the dog was admitted on the 24th of March but there had been "no firm offers" for the animal.
She added that "due to the volume of dogs that are admitted, not every dog receives an offer of help" and the council must ensure sufficient kennel space is available for new dogs being admitted.
She warned that this means the "longest pound stay dogs are the "at risk" animals, and if no offer of help is received then the council may euthanise to provide needed space".
However, Monaghan's dog pound manager said this "is not a local issue and is played out at every local authority dog pound in Ireland".
She also explained that there is a difference between local authority dog pounds and animal welfare societies, in that local authority dog pounds generally operate a euthanise policy, whereas animal welfare societies do not.
However, Monaghan's Veterinary Officer, Brendan Smyth, told Shannonside Northern Sound that "no dog has been put to sleep unnecessarily over the past ten years".
Monaghan's dog pound manager added that a "huge amount of effort is put in behind the scenes to try and provide a safe placement for every pound dog", but that pounds are "now brimming over with post-pandemic pets that are no longer wanted".
While she welcomed this "last minute reprieve", she warned "there are already at least two other dogs that are over their "safe stay" time and at risk".
