**WARNING** GRAPHIC IMAGES AT END MAY CAUSE UPSET
At Bray District Court on Monday 9th December 2024, a 69-year-old-man with an address at Kilruddery Demesne West, Bray, Co Wicklow entered guilty pleas to two offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) 2013.
The court heard evidence of how ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling, responding to a report received from a concerned member of the public, called to the defendant’s home on Thursday 5th October 2023, and observed a nine-year-old Golden Labrador named Lucy with a huge growth in her mouth. She was also in very poor physical condition and had nails so overgrown that they had curled around and were growing into the pads of her feet.
Dowling told how his initial thought was that the dog had a large ball in her mouth and, so distorted was the shape of her face and head, he could not be sure what breed she was. The Inspector immediately took the dog for veterinary assessment.
The court further heard that the accused had brought the dog to a vet 19 months prior when the growth was the size of an egg. A statement from the vet who examined the dog at that time was presented to the court. It detailed a recommended course of treatment. However, the accused never brought the dog back for further veterinary care.
Photographs taken by Inspector Dowling in October 2023, and a statement from the vet who assessed Lucy after she was removed were also presented to the court. The vet’s statement described how the dog weighed 18.8Kg on examination, just over half of the 37.2Kg that she weighed in March 2022.
It also told how the growth was obstructing the upper airway which would have led to difficulty breathing and caused severe distress. The mass covered all of the top teeth and the teeth on the bottom jaw were embedded in it too. The vet was of the view that “eating would have been an excruciatingly painful experience for Lucy” and described it as “the worst case of neglect” she had ever seen. The condition was not treatable, and the dog was euthanised as the only humane choice.
Mr Dowling told of how he subsequently conducted an interview with the defendant and put the veterinary findings to him. He said that the accused disputed the vet’s opinion and didn’t think the dog was suffering at all. During the interview, the defendant also told how he was a carer for his wife who has a number of health issues.
Judge John O’Leary said that it was clear that the defendant needed to bring the dog back to the vet and asked why he hadn’t. Eoin Gallagher BL, representing the accused, said that there was “an element of denial” and that his client “absolutely adored” the dog.
In mitigation, the barrister highlighted the fact that the dog was kept in the house and was not shut out in a shed in its own waste. He said that the dog was “exceptionally ill” and that his client “did not want to accept it”.
Judge O’Leary asked about the defendant’s economic circumstances and was told that he is on a carer’s allowance. Describing the offence as “significant”, the Judge fined him €1,000 and ordered that he pay €500 ISPCA costs. In addition, he disqualified the defendant from owning dogs for a period of six years.
“While poor Lucy may not have been subjected to physical abuse or deliberately harmed, that does not mean that she suffered any less” commented Chief Inspector Dowling, “In fact, in my 25 years working with the ISPCA, I don’t think that I have encountered a dog that endured more pain and distress over a prolonged period. As pet owners, our animals rely on us to care for them and that means doing what is right for them rather than being concerned about our own feelings”.
ISPCA Inspectors to work tirelessly to remove animals from appalling situations just like this one. Be a Christmas miracle for an animal in need by making a life-saving donation today to support our work. Your support will help keep our many rescued animals fed, warm and comfortable this winter. Visit: https://ispca.ie/donations/ today.
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].
