Couple guilty of animal cruelty offences banned from owning dogs for 5 years

A married couple in Co Laois has been banned from owning dogs for five years after pleading guilty to animal cruelty offences. 

According to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the couple appeared before Judge Nicola Andrews in relation to the cruelty offences, as well as having possession of a dog who was not microchipped. 

ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector, Jimmy McCormack, gave evidence to the court of calling to the defendants’ address on Wednesday November 23, 2022 in response to a report made to the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline. 

He reportedly found a two-year-old lurcher dog along with her six five-week-old puppies in the back garden, all of whom were in poor condition. 

He could see that the mother dog, later named Bev, was severely underweight with her ribs and hip bones prominent. She also had hair loss, was red all over, and was scratching herself. Her pups had swollen bellies. 

ISPCA Inspector McCormack told the court that the woman, who was present at the property, agreed to surrender the dogs into ISPCA care, however, when Inspector McCormack spoke to the woman’s husband by phone, he objected to the dogs being taken. 

The dogs received veterinary assessment where the female dog was found to be emaciated, with irritated and thickened skin as a result of mange. She also had discharge from her ears and overgrown nails, and her young puppies were also underweight with prominent ribs and dull and dirty coats. 

Inspector McCormack further described how he called back to the defendants’ home on a later date to offer the couple an opportunity to make a statement under caution. 

According to the inspector, both parties declined and the husband claimed that there was no proof that the dogs were his, that he found the dog "wandering around the estate". 

Judge Andrews said the condition of the dogs was "troubling" and she made an order disqualifying the couple from owning dogs for five years. 

She also fined the defendants €500 each and ordered that they pay €805.07 in costs. 

Inspector McCormack said, "Bev and her nursing puppies were severely neglected, and the outcome of this case might be a warning for others, that acts of animal cruelty are being punished through the courts and these cases will hopefully be a deterrent for anyone who is in breach of animal welfare legislation. 

"A responsible pet owner would have ensured that Bev received the basic veterinary treatment for her skin and ear conditions that she deserved, and that she would have been spayed, preventing her from having a litter of unwanted puppies, adding to the serious dog welfare crisis in Ireland." 

The ISPCA is calling on the public to continue to report any animal welfare concerns by calling the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, report online at: www.ispca.ie/cruelty_complaint or email helpline@ispca.ie.