THE shocking revelation came after the Scottish rescue centre told how some 40 per cent of dogs they see have been given drugs, including cannabis.
DRUG dealers are injecting their dogs with heroin to make them more aggressive, an animal charity have revealed.
The Scottish rescue centre say four out of 10 dogs they take in are hooked on drugs.
In one of the worst cases, junkies repeatedly injected two Staffordshire bull terriers and trained them to attack police officers. The crazed animals had to be put down because they were “bouncing off the walls”.
Many other dogs have had to go through detox after being rescued.
The practice is particularly common among Staffie owners, according to Ian Robb, who runs the Angus Dog Shelter in Forfar.
The breed – once known as the “nanny dog” because they are so placid and gentle by nature – are now unfairly regarded as one of the most dangerous in the UK.
Ian said yesterday: “About 40 per cent of the dogs we see have been given drugs of some sort.
“In some cases it’s cannabis but in most it’s heroin, which has a devastating effect on an animal.”
Scots dog psychologist and trainer Lesley Connelly, who has worked with many “junkie” animals, said: “Some owners give the dog drugs for a laugh to see what would happen – but others get them hooked because it makes them much more aggressive.
“A dog on heroin will run around, leap up the walls and will be completely manic. If you attempt to approach it you will get bitten.
“We normally leave them alone until they start coming down off the drug. It’s a bit like ‘cold turkey’ in a human.”
