Losing Lisa

On Friday morning, 30 March, someone on the southern side of the Cnoc na Greine estate set off fireworks, writes Orla O'Neill. I was here with our two dogs and they became incredibly frightened—agitated and trembling. I put them in the kitchen and turned on the radio as is what is recommended in that situation. I couldn't see where the fireworks were coming from or I would have asked the person to stop.

Our house is in a field of seven acres, with the motorway as a boundary. In the almost three years we've had our dogs, Maggie and Lisa, inseparable sisters from Kildare Animal Foundation, they have roamed freely in the field, never wandering far. They never went on the roads, although they had access. The only time they ever went missing was Halloween a year ago. They came back after a few hours.

Sometime on Saturday afternoon when we weren't here, I understand the fireworks were set off again, most likely the same person. Lisa went missing. This afternoon (Sunday) we found her dead on the motorway. While keeping this loss in perspective, we are extremely upset, particularly our children.

Is the person who set off the fireworks responsible for the dog's death? No. Did their actions most likely contribute to our dog getting killed on the motorway? Yes, I believe so. I would like that person to know what happened—not to blame them, but so they understand how fireworks affect animals...and how upsetting it is for families to lose their pet.


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