Couple who kept neglected dogs locked in pen get decade-long animal ban

A couple have been banned from owning dogs for 10 years after being convicted of animal cruelty. 

According to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the couple admitted ten offences each under sections 11, 12, 13 and 19 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 at a sitting in November 2023. 

The charges were in connection with two West Highland Terriers named Hunter and Muttley, who were removed from the couple's house by the ISPCA in September 2022. 

The couple were fined €1,000 and ordered to pay total costs of over €3,000 after being convicted of cruelty in late February 2024 at Mallow District Court. 

In the November sitting, ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector Caroline Faherty told the court she found the dogs in "an extremely matted state and living in a pen full of faeces". 

According to the inspector, it was "obvious" from grass growing around the pen that the dogs hadn’t been let out in a very long time; they reportedly had to be lifted out of the pen as the door couldn’t be opened. 

ISPCA Inspector Faherty told how, under caution, the woman reportedly admitted that the dogs hadn’t been out in years and that they were being fed and watered from the house out through a window. 

The dogs were surrendered to the ISPCA and taken for veterinary assessment.

They reportedly had to be sedated to be shaved, during which live maggots were found in the urine-soaked hair in one of the dogs. 

After passing sentencing, Judge Colm Roberts called the behaviour of the couple "willful". 

According to the ISPCA, Judge Roberts reportedly considered a custodial sentence or community service, as well as higher fines. 

However, the couple were granted permission to get a dog again after ten years, provided they successfully complete an animal welfare course and submit a certificate to the ISPCA. 

Judge Roberts commended the ISPCA on their "significant work" in protecting animals and in putting the case together. 

ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector Faherty said, "Hunter and Muttley had to endure atrocious living conditions and it is my view that they would have become seriously ill and died had the ISPCA not been alerted to their plight. I am just glad that I got there in time and was able to see such an immediate improvement in their condition and their lives." 

The ISPCA is encouraging members of 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 here or email helpline@ispca.ie.

They welcome any donations.