METRO FREE Tuesday, November 10, 2009 ANIMAL aid workers were left shocked yester- day after a puppy was set on fire and thrown over a garden wall. They described the attack as one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they had ever seen. The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cru- elty to Animals responded to a call after the black and tan terrier was doused in petrol, set alight and thrown over a wall at Valeview Gardens, Finglas. The young dog ran around the garden for a few minutes in flames, shrieking in agony before a resident beat him to death with a shovel to put him out of his misery. The DSPCA believes petrol was used to make sure the dog caught fire. DSPCA ambulance driver Gillian Duffy said: This is one of the worst cases of animal cruelty that we have ever had the misfortune to see. That poor animal suf- fered the cruelest, most agonising death imagina- ble. What kind of person could douse a puppy in petrol, set it on fire and fling it over a wall lis- tening to its howling and shrieking? Orla Aungier, who is the operations manager with the DSPCA, said youths who are violent to defenceless animals often progress to more hor- rific forms of abuse. It has been extensively proven that cruelty to animals can be a signifi- cant indicator that a child or young adult is at high risk of becoming a perpetrator of violence in society, she said. We have seen the proof in the high-profile serial killers such as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and Al- bert DeSalvo [Boston Strangler], who committed heinous acts of animal cruelty before progress- ing to brutally maiming and killing their human victims. She added: It is a pattern of behaviour that uncovers that darkest side of human souls. by joanne ahern Dog set on fire by cruel thugs Fireworks explode over the brandenburg Gate during celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the berlin Wall last night. a host of world leaders including Taoiseach brian Cowen attended the celebrations. Full story: Page 8 Picture: AP woRlD cElEbRatEs Fall oF thE wall heLP MeTro heLP The enVIronMenT. reCyCLe ThIS neWSPaPer ToDay INsIDE toDaY see Page 11 Fans angry exit from britneys mimed concert PlUs whats on tV tonight Pages 14-15see Page 14 Dolphin activist Ric obarry talks about the cove index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html