Lisburn News

Codie making remarkable progress after horrific ordeal

by JENNY MONROE

Codie is getting stronger.

CODIE the collie dog set alight by thugs in Maghaberry over a week ago is malting great progress say her owners.

Martin Agnew says it was touch and go last weekend as Codie's health declined but following a course of steroids she is "doing great".

"Saturday night she was really bad and we were preparing ourselves for the worst. But then on Sunday after the vet gave her steroids she started eating and is doing great," Martin said. "The vet had a blood transfusion ready to go but thankfully he didn't need to use it.

"Her skin is coming away and it's looking pink underneath which is a good sign as it means the blood supply is okay,"

Martin says his family is still overwhelmed by the messages of support on a Facebook page set up in disgust at what happened to Codie. "Over 52000 people have liked the page and we can't get over how kind people have been. We've had so many offers from people wanting to help in some way with Codie's care and I'd like to say thanks you to them all."

Martin said that a comment from a mother whose young daughter is fighting for her life was one of the most touching the family have received.

A girl called Sasha Gillespie left this comment: "Come on Codie. Our daughter is fighting for her life in England going through a bone marrow transplant and we told her Codie was in an accident and got injured. We told her today Codie was getting better and starting to eat, our daughter then ate a very small amount of soup. Come on Codie, you are inspiring us so keep fighting."

It's just unbelievable. They are in a worse situation than us and we really want to do something to help them," explained Martin.

Anyone with information—about this case is encouraged to contact Lisburn police on 0845 600 8000.

Can to catch attackers as reward is offered

Codie who is recovering from her horrific ordeal.

A WAVE of support has swept the province for the thugs who set Codie the dog on fire to be brought to justice.

The Agnew family from Maghaberry whose pet dog was set alight on Sunday August 26 have been inundated with messages from well wishers on Facebook who are calling for the attackers to be caught.

The Justice for Codie page on the social networking site has nearly 56,000 followers and the message is clear - the community want the people responsible caught.

One person on Facebook said: "Lock them up and throw away the key, anyone that could do this is capable of doing anything to anybody."

Another said: "Only a sick coward would do this to an animal."

On Tuesday morning a 21 year old man was arrested but has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries. Another 21 year old man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon. He has also since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

As police investigations continue several rewards are being offered for the conviction of the people responsible for Codies injuries.

However, Martin Agnew, says he doesn't want people to be accusing others and taking matters into their own hands but instead go through the proper channels.

"We don't want innocent people being accused - leave it to the Police to sort out." A reward is being offered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who set fire to Codie.

"It is imperative that any community faced with such horrific animal abuse take measures to find the culprit or culprits and stop the violence", said PETA spokesperson Mimi Bekhechi. "Animal abusers are a danger to everyone."

PETA is urging residents to keep a watchful eye on their animal companions. Because animals cannot report incidents of abuse against them and can do little to fight back, they are the perfect "practice" victims for those who tend towards violence.

A history of cruelty to animals shows up in the records of violent criminals Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables as well as serial murderers Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton (the Dunblane massacre), Fred West, Dennis Nilsen and Ian Brady, all of whom started out by deliberately harming animals.

Amanda Gilchrist, a pet lover, has set up a page where people can donate money to increase the reward to catch codies attackers. For more information check out https://www.gofundme.com/14sk78

jenny.monroe@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
07/09/2012