A group of youths attempted to set fire to four kittens in a cardboard box last night in Ballymun. The frightened kittens were rescued by witnesses before they came to any harm. The kittens are now in the care of local animal charity Dog’s Aid in Meakstown where it is hoped new homes can be found for them.
Local Sinn Féin Councillor Noeleen Reilly s disgusted by the attempted attack. “I am absolutely disgusted to hear reports that youths tried to set four kittens on fire last night in the area. This is an absolutely barbaric act and I strongly condemn anyone involved in these actions. Residents in Ballymun are up in arms that anyone would try and do this to defenseless animals.
“Luckily the kittens were rescued in the nick of time and are now recuperating in Dogs Aid in Ballymun. As the charity points out, these sorts of acts increase at this time of year and Councillor Reilly asked locals to keep an extra close eye on their pets at this time. Halloween can be a very testing time for our pets not only with fireworks distressing them but also there is a threat of attacks from some small minded individuals.” she added.
Sharon Walsh, a volunteer at the animal sanctuary, said the three females kittens and their brother are no more than nine or ten weeks old. “They are in good condition and weren’t hungry, so they were obviously well looked after up until the point the gang their hands on them, and it was two other youths who saw what was happening that rescued them and brought them to the Reco youth centre in Ballymun,” she said.