On Friday 12th April, at Tullamore District Court, a father and son, from, Birr, Co Offaly, admitted animal welfare charges in relation to five dogs removed from their property by the ISPCA in January 2023. In addition, the son admitted an offence of obstructing an Authorised Officer by threatening to arm himself with a slash hook.
ISPCA Inspector James McCormack gave evidence to the court of calling to the defendants’ property on Tuesday 17th January 2023, in response to a report received. He described observing several dogs on the premises including five German Shepherds – three adults and two pups – which were confined in small, dark pens inside a shed.
He said that the three adult dogs were found to be severely underweight, and some had evidence of old scars on their skin. All of the dogs were wet, and some were covered in caked faeces, with a very strong odour of urine from their coats. None of the dogs had anywhere dry to lie and there was no evidence of food or clean water.
Inspector McCormack made the decision to seize those five dogs and, when he informed the son of his intention to do so, he said that he could not take the female dog and threatened to get a slash hook. Inspector McCormack did ultimately seize the dogs and they were subsequently surrendered by the son’s father. Despite their poor condition, none required extensive veterinary care and they were all successfully rehomed.
Judge Andrew Cody imposed a three-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, on the son for the obstruction charge. In addition, he was disqualified from keeping any dogs for a period of five years and fined €900. The father was fined €900 and ordered to pay €2,052.68 in costs. Judge Coady also imposed an order that he could keep no more than two dogs or have no more than two dogs at any place at which he resides for a five-year period.
“There was total disregard for the physical and mental wellbeing of these dogs” commented Inspector McCormack, “they were locked in dark, faeces and urine covered boxes for long periods. I was shocked at how thin the two adult males were. It is heartbreaking to see such neglect but, happily, all these dogs went on to be rehomed into homes where they are now loved, and they get to live their lives fully. There is no excuse for allowing dogs live in these conditions. Pet owners have a moral and legal responsibility to care for their animals at all times”.
Please continue to report any animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, report online at: https://ispca.ie/report-cruelty/ or email [email protected].
Animal Welfare Inspectors continue to work tirelessly to remove animals from terrible situations, just like this one. A kind donation will help the ISPCA continue our vital rescue work and care for many more neglected, abused, and cruelly treated animals.
If you can, please donate online today. Thank you.
