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Soldiers 'furious' at overworked mascot dog driven to his 'deathbed'

Domhnall the dog is reportedly suffering from poor health - Paul Grover for the Telegraph
Domhnall the dog is reportedly suffering from poor health - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

Slogans are sprayed on the walls of barracks because of the alleged treatment of a mascot dog.

The Irish Guards are reportedly angry about wolfhound Domhnall  being overworked.

They say he should have been retired long ago, but is still being paraded and taken to meet various dignitaries.

The Duchess of Cambridge seemed charmed to meet the animal earlier this year, presenting him with a shamrock on St Patrick's Day.

"Justice 4 Domhnall " has been spray-painted on the walls of their barracks in Hounslow, West London, and insiders explained it was because there are fears the hound is too old to work.

Insiders say the dog has a dodgy hip and that his handler is required to give him round-the-clock care.

"The lads love that dog. But Domhnall has problems with his health," an insider told The Sun.

"People are saying the dog is being overworked constantly.

"He was meant to be retired a long time ago, he's not well, but is being worked to his death bed."

He was announced as the regiment's mascot in 2013 after being recruited as an untrained dog from Northern Ireland.

Irish Wolfhounds typically live until they are around seven years old, and six-year-old Domhnall has faced health problems in the past.

In 2017, prostrate problems caused vets to recommend he be castrated.

The Army has said the dog has been declared fit to work by vets, and said the graffiti, which has now been washed off the walls, was daubed by well-meaning soldiers unaware of the dog's real condition.

An Army spokesman said: "Domhnall's welfare is always of utmost importance to the regiment, which is very proud to have him as its mascot.

"Domhnall has regular health checks – including two this week – to ensure he is being well looked after and is fit for service. Domhnall has also been under the care of a local vets practice throughout his career."

The regiment has been using Irish wolfhounds as mascots since 1902, and Domhnall is their 16th.

The dog is scheduled for multiple engagements later this year.