*WARNING* Images are of graphic nature and may cause upset
At Mullingar District Court last month, a man from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath pleaded guilty to 15 offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
The offences were detected in January 2021 during an operation conducted by ISPCA Inspectors assisted by members of An Garda Síochána when a number of dogs and ferrets were discovered living in deplorable conditions.
Two puppies and three ferrets had already died and a further five dogs and seven ferrets were removed in the course of the operation. Subsequent veterinary examinations found that some of the dogs were emaciated, two had open wounds, and all had dirty unkempt coats. Two of the ferrets were euthanised due to the severity of their condition.
The defendant admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a number of dogs, failure to safeguard the health and welfare of the dogs, and being negligent or reckless regarding their welfare. He also pleaded guilty to similar offences in respect of seven ferrets and to failing to provide a dog with adequate, suitable food and water.
Judge Deirdre Gearty sentenced the man to two months imprisonment (suspended) and restricted the number of dogs he could keep to the three that he already had at the time. She also awarded €1,200 in prosecution costs.
ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said: “The standard of care that these animals received was disgraceful and there is no doubt that more would have succumbed had it not been for the intervention of our Inspectors. While nothing can change what happened to the deceased animals, at least the person responsible for their neglect was held legally accountable in court. And thankfully there are 10 other animals now living happy lives in new homes. We would like to thank An Garda Síochána for their assistance and the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine for prosecuting this case.”
The ISPCA encourages members of the public to report any animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline online here or by calling us on 0818 515 515 or emailing [email protected].
