Shocking discovery as a dog's body is recovered after being 'anchored down' by dumbbells in Tyrone river

A volunteer search and rescue team were left shocked after discovering a dog’s body in the River Blackwater tied down with dumbbells.
By Stanley Campbell
Published 23rd Apr 2024, 15:02 BST
Updated 23rd Apr 2024, 15:08 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Tyrone Underwater Search and Recovery team were on patrol at the Moy Bridge at the weekend when they were flagged down by a fisherman who noticed something in the water.

Two divers from the team subsequently found that a dog had been “anchored down”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The incident was then reported the PSNI who were able to recover the dog.

Two dumb bells were used to "anchor down" the dog. Credit: Tyrone Underwater Search and RecoveryTwo dumb bells were used to "anchor down" the dog. Credit: Tyrone Underwater Search and Recovery
Two dumb bells were used to "anchor down" the dog. Credit: Tyrone Underwater Search and Recovery

A spokesperson for Tyrone Underwater Search and Recovery, writing on social media, said: “As you can imagine any life lost is deeply upsetting and as fellow dog owners amongst the team, this one hurts just as a much as every other life.”

Read More
Lurgan Model Primary to become Northern Ireland's latest integrated school

The team thanked the fishermen that highlighted this to them.

The spokesperson said the matter has been reported to the PSNI who “with a speedy call to action have been able to recover the little dog”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Members of the search and rescue team at The Blackwater. Credit: Tyrone Underwater Rescue and Recovery.Members of the search and rescue team at The Blackwater. Credit: Tyrone Underwater Rescue and Recovery.
Members of the search and rescue team at The Blackwater. Credit: Tyrone Underwater Rescue and Recovery.

The USPCA (Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) said reports of a dog found weighed down in water is the latest in a series of distressing cases recently, and that they are “witnessing an unprecedented surge in cases of dog abandonment and neglect.”

The charity is reporting a 72% increase in the number of stray and abandoned dogs coming into their Centre compared to this time last year.

“Many of these dogs show obvious signs of neglect, including malnourishment, and untreated medical conditions, indicating prolonged suffering and hardship,” said a spokesperson.

Related topics:USPCAPSNI