Halloween Bonfire: Cat Owner Asks Dubliners to Keep Pets Inside
Martin’s cat Snowy was euthanized after being thrown into a fire in Blanchardstown, a tragedy that prompted a local appeal to secure all animals this weekend.
By Luka Evans ·
A man in Blanchardstown urged residents to keep their pets indoors this weekend after his cat was thrown into a Halloween bonfire and subsequently euthanized. The incident occurred last year, but the owner is issuing the warning ahead of the holiday to prevent similar accidents.
The cat, named Snowy, had lived with Martin’s family for 20 years. He first arrived at their home two decades ago, where he would sit in the back garden and interact with the children. Martin described the animal as friendly, noting that Snowy believed the family had decent hearts.
Last Halloween, the family traveled to Galway to visit Martin’s mother. They returned to their home on Sunday night to find a neighbor mentioning a local news report about a burned cat in the area. Upon checking RTÉ News, Martin identified the animal as his own.
He contacted the DSPCA, which confirmed the cat had been taken in. Martin visited the facility and found Snowy in a cage. The animal was severely burned. Martin recalled that the cat attempted to meow despite his injuries.
Veterinarians attempted to treat Snowy but determined he was too sick to recover. The cat struggled with breathing and swallowing issues. The DSPCA euthanized him the day after the incident.
Martin attributed the accident to Snowy’s trusting nature. He stated that the cat’s kindness was his downfall. He emphasized that people sometimes throw pets into fires for amusement without realizing the consequences.
In an interview on Lunchtime Live, Martin issued a direct plea to other owners. He said, “A message to anyone that has any type of pet, keep them in.” He advised residents to prevent animals from going outside over the weekend because they cannot predict who might grab them.
