North West SPCA said "There is no excuse for this cruelty in this day and age" in a social media post this week about a blind and malnourished dog that was was found in Belmullet last weekend, that had to be put down this week.
The charity in its post said: "And once again another cruelty case. This poor collie, who we named Dusty, was found at the weekend on Tallagh Hill Belmullet by a Garda. We got him to the vets immediately.
"He was in a terrible state; an elderly boy, his coat matted to his skin and underneath that was a bag of bones. Dusty was so weak that he couldn't stand up and his breathing was laboured.
"The vets did all they could for him and he perked up for a day or two due to the care and kindness of the vets and Agatha, one of our volunteers, but unfortunately he went downhill overnight and we had to help him to leave this world this morning.
"Wherever Dusty is now it has to be a lot better than the life this poor dog endured here. Dusty was elderly and also blind and so badly neglected, which didn't happen overnight.
"There is no excuse for this cruelty in this day and age. There is always help out there even though we are stretched to the limit - we will do what we can.
"Despite being in pain and starved and dehydrated, this poor boy was the sweetest natured dog and was so grateful for the TLC he got during his last hours. No more pain Dusty, run free."
