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"Each life is precious"

Friday 23 December 2022

"Each life is precious"

Friday 23 December 2022


The GSPCA has asked for "bullying and harassing" comments aimed at a member of its staff to stop as the charity explains what happened to a dog involved in a dangerous situation at Havelet Bay earlier this week.

Guernsey Police were called to Havelet on Tuesday morning by a member of the public.

Yesterday police confirmed the dog was "out of control" and was a potential danger to the public.

Officers asked the GSPCA to assist and experienced animal handler Geoff George was seen to approach the dog, calm it down, and walk it off the bay before putting the animal in his van and driving away.

GSPCA Manager, Steve Byrne has now confirmed the dog was euthanised after the owner, police, the States Vet and the charity itself all agreed it was the best course of action.

Mr Byrne said the decision was based on a "prolonged attack to a member of the public", notable for its "severity".

"Earlier this week the GSPCA were called to an incident where a dog caused a prolonged attack to a member of public who had to go to hospital," he explained. "Due to the severity of the attack Guernsey Police were dispatched.

"Very sadly due to the extreme serious nature of the incident the decision between the owner, Guernsey Police, States Vets and the GSPCA was to euthanise the dog.

"The GSPCA strive to help 1000’s of animals every year and each life is precious to all of the team who care so much in all they do 24/7 365 days a year."

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Pictured: The incident attracted a lot of attention with police cars rushing to the scene with sirens sounding.

Initially the outcome of the situation was not revealed, however the GSPCA has spoken out after an online petition apportioning blame to a specific member of the charity's staff was shared on social media.

Mr Byrne has said it is "extremely cruel" and contains "inaccurate" information and is "extremely unkind".

He says his employee has been bullied and harassed and he asked for all of comments on social media to be removed.

"There has been a person who has set up an extremely cruel social media page vilifying a member of our team which is inaccurate and extremely unkind and we have reported the page which is extremely detrimental to the well being and mental health of our team," he said. 

"The situation has been extremely upsetting for all involved and no one at the GSPCA wants to see any animal put to sleep.  The GSPCA extend our kindest thoughts to all that have been upset by this very distressing situation and ask that the bullying and harassing comments are removed."

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Pictured: Plans for the GSPCA's new facility were approved earlier this year.

The GSPCA helps thousands of animals a year and continually fundraises to support its work.

It seeks to rehome many animals and it also offers services to pets at the end of their lives, such as cremation. 

Mr Byrne directed anyone who has been affected by the loss of a pet to use the bereavement advice page on the GSPCA website HERE.

Read more...

The Havelet dog was "out of control" 

WATCH: Police cordon off Havelet Bay as GSPCA collect dog

Havelet Bay closed

 

 

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