Animal Crimes Register

This sickening video shows a trainer tying up live pigeons to teach hunting dogs.

  In a disturbing video posted on a dog training website, instructor Paul David Toal can be seen tying the birds’ legs with elastic and then tossing them into the air.

  The animals struggle to fly before dropping to the ground and are fetched by gun dogs.

  After being brought back to Mr Toal, the birds are tied up again and the act is repeated.

  Mr Toal, the owner of the Co Leitrim-based Altiquin Labradors, denied the birds suffered harm.

  He said: “Over three years ago, we were involved in using live birds to train our dogs.

  “The birds were neither injured nor killed. We ceased this practice over three years ago on realising this method of training had become outmoded and surpassed.”

But Mr Toal’s altiquinlabradors.com website shows footage uploaded as recently as two years ago, in July 2011, in which a live bird can be seen being hurled up and retrieved by a dog.

  Mr Toal added: “We did not know at that time this practice transgressed the law. I am now training my dogs in full compliance with the law.

  “We would like to apologise for any distress we may have caused.”

Animal Rights Action Network’s John Carmody believes cases such as this are common due to the disregard shown to anti-cruelty legislation.

  He said: “We’re disgusted this is going on. It goes to show people don’t care for our animal welfare laws.

  “It’s worrying because from what we have been told, this practice is rampant throughout the country.

  “We get countless emails and complaints about this kind of cruelty but until our laws are taken seriously, people aren’t going to stop.

  “I hope the media highlight this issue and people see animal cruelty as a very serious offence.

  “Maybe those who are responsible for these sickening acts might think twice because they’ll know groups like ourselves will be on their case and looking to have them prosecuted.”

The organisation has welcomed the introduction of last month’s Animal Welfare Bill.

  Mr Carmody added: “This law gives heavier jail sentences and tougher fines for acts like this.”