Rankin urges ‘Justice for Codie’ support

Three-year-old dog Codie suffered serious injuries after it was doused in lighter fluid and torched in Maghaberry.

The extent of the burns were so severe that the dog’s ribs and other joints were visible through her charred flesh.

Despite a brave battle Codie had to be put to sleep.

Said Councillor Rankin, “A number of constituents have contacted Mrs Brenda Hale MLAs Dromore office and expressed their disgust at recent acts of animal cruelty.

“Some Dromore residents who are close friends of the Agnew family, whose pet dog Codie, was cruelly set on fire and had to be destroyed, have appealed to locals to help change the law in regard to animal cruelty so that tougher sentences are handed out to the culprits.

“One way of doing this is by logging on to the ‘Justice For Codie’, or ‘Alfies Law’, Facebook pagess and signing the on-line e-Petition at www.pawsforthought-alfieslaw.co.uk.

“One hundred thousand signatures are required to bring this petition to the floor of Westminster for a debate. The Northern Ireland Assembly is also due to debate the issue of animal cruelty later in the month.”

Councillor Rankin concluded, “Both Mrs Hale and I would appeal to locals to sign this e-Petition. The issue of badger-baiting and dog-fighting was also highlighted recently and we would support the USPCA and PSNI in their efforts to stamp out these cruel practices.

“Anyone who has any information on cases of animal cruelty can contact the PSNI Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 500 111.”