Irish furious over use of live dogs as shark bait

AN Irish MEP has called on the EU to investigate claims that live cats and dogs are being used as shark bait, writes Treacy Hogan.

Avril Doyle says she has received reports from the North Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that some fishermen in the French-controlled Island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean have been using live cats and dogs as bait to catch sharks.

The Fine Gael MEP says she understands that stray dogs are allegedly being skewered on hooks and dragged behind boats as live shark bait.

Other dogs and kittens have faired less well, and have been torn apart and swallowed by sharks, she also claimed.

Speaking in Brussels Ms Doyle said: "I am shocked and disgusted that live cats and dogs are allegedly being used as bait in shark fishing."

Source: www.underwatertimes.com