Tipperary man banned from owning dogs for 10 years after ISPCA seizes 17 animals

A Tipperary man has been sentenced to four months imprisonment and banned from owning or keeping dogs for ten years. 

The 44-year-old defendant - who appeared in Clonmel District Court in July 2023 - admitted offences under Sections 11(1) and 12(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA). 

According to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), Judge Brian O’Shea sentenced the accused to two months imprisonment on each of two counts, with both sentences to run consecutively.

The case was taken by An Garda Síochána following a joint-agency search operation involving personnel from Revenue Customs Service, the ISPCA and the Irish Defence Forces which took place on December 7, 2022. 

During the operation, ISPCA Senior Animal Welfare Inspectors Alice Lacey and Emma Carroll seized a total of 17 dogs, 11 of which were not claimed.

According to the ISPCA, the dogs to which charges related were a tan male Lurcher with several open wounds and cuts on various parts of his body, a female fawn Whippet in poor body condition which was in heat and being chased by several male dogs, and four Terrier pups, aged no more than 10 weeks, which were confined in a dark stable without access to water. 

Senior Inspector Lacey took the stand to outline the findings of a veterinary examination of the injured male Lurcher.

She told the court that the examining vet was of the view that the injuries were most likely caused by another animal, that they were infected, and that was a large amount of dirt and muck in and around the wounds which would have been indicative of the dog lying on a hard, mucky surface after the trauma was received. 

Judge O’Shea did not accept the defendant’s claims that he was going to bring the injured Lurcher dog to the vet that day and stated, "The condition of the dogs was a disgrace." 

All the animals were assessed by a vet and received treatment before being brought into ISPCA care.

According to the ISPCA, all dogs and puppies were responsibly rehomed after rehabilitation, where they are now loved and cared for. 

Commenting after the case, Senior Inspector Alice Lacey said, "It was sad to see the dogs as they were originally found. The injured Lurcher was also in poor body condition, he was unable to walk and cried in pain as he was carried to an ISPCA vehicle. The Whippet’s ribs and pin bones were evident, and she was extremely anxious, screeching in distress to get away from the male dogs that were chasing her. 

She added, "This is a reminder to anyone who neglects animals, that they will be brought before the courts. If you take on the responsibility to have animals, then you have a duty to look after them. It’s that simple. Both myself and my colleague would like to thank An Garda Síochána for the immense work put into this case alongside the ISPCA." 

The ISPCA is seeking donations to aid further rescues of neglected animals. 

This can be done by clicking here.