TRAVELLING PEOPLE in Fife are being urged not to abandon their pets after a spate of recent incidents.

It follows a harrowing incident last week when a dog was rescued from Methil Docks after apparently being abandoned by travellers.

The lurcher’s hind legs were trapped in an access ladder and it was struggling to keep its head above the tide before children spotted it and raised the alarm.

Though the dog, named Merlin by staff caring for him, managed to escape his ordeal without serious injuries, it was one of many animals being abandoned by travellers who no longer wish to keep their pets.

Bill Donaldson, dog warden with Fife Council, said, “Sadly it’s a very common problem in Fife.

“Travellers often no longer want to share their caravans with pets or they begin to cost too much so it becomes easier just to abandon them.”

Merlin is in a good condition and is currently awaiting re-homing at the Langdyke Kennels in Kennoway, one of several dogs taken in by kennel manager Kelly Lauchlan after, it is suspected, being abandoned by travellers.

She said, “We’ve had up to 10 dogs this year which could have belonged to travellers and it is definitely a growing problem. Dogs are being left everywhere—tied to farm gates, dumped or sometimes they just run away from their campsites.

“I don’t have an idea why they are being abandoned but maybe they are no good for breeding or hunting.

Yesterday, the SSPCA reported that there had been 39 calls regarding animals found abandoned in Fife so far this year.