19/01/2006

Dogs kill endangered species at Belfast Zoo

Four stray dogs have attacked and killed a rare species in Belfast zoo.

The dogs dug their way into the Vicuna paddock and savaged two of the animals, which are the smallest members of the camel family.

One of the Vicuna's, a 12-year-old called Emma, was killed in the attack, and a six-month-old named Boris suffered severe abdominal injuries.

He required extensive surgery to his abdomen and is currently being monitored by staff.

Zoo staff managed to capture three of the dogs, but the fourth escaped and Belfast City Council Dog Wardens and members of the PSNI were called to assist with the situation.

Vicuna's, which are originally from South America, were almost hunted to extinction in the 70's for their valuable fleece and are still considered an endangered species.

(EF/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

13 February 2024
Tourism NI Launch New 'Get Into Tourism' Training Course
Tourism NI has announced the launch of a new accredited training course, designed to encourage people to 'Get Into Tourism'. The organisation has teamed up with Belfast Metropolitan College to deliver the free Level 2 City and Guilds qualifications.
24 January 2012
Arrests Made Over Cannabis Find
A man and woman have been arrested after police seized cannabis plants and resin in a house in Rostrevor, Co Down. Seventy cannabis plants and 35kgs of cannabis resin were found during the police search on Monday. Four dogs, believed to have been used for badger baiting, were also taken at from the property. The pair are currently being questioned.
03 September 2008
NI Leads Dog Euthanasia League
A canine welfare charity is urging people across the Province to re-home a rescue dog (like Xander, pictured) before purchasing a 'retail rover'. Dogs Trust's annual Stray Dogs Report published today has revealed 4,041 dogs were destroyed in Northern Ireland last year; making NI one of worst areas for animal welfare in the UK.
06 September 2005
NI tops stray dogs figures
A new survey has revealed that local authorities in Northern Ireland collected nearly 11,000 stray dogs during the past year, with over a third of these needlessly destroyed.
20 July 2004
Nearly 4,000 stray dogs killed in NI last year
Local authorities in Northern Ireland destroyed nearly 4,000 stray dogs last year according to a new survey by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. The figure equates to an average of 11 dogs a day being put to sleep – an increase of 15% on the previous year and in stark contrast to the 2% decrease seen across the UK as a whole.