Leslie Stewart, 64, of The Thorn was convicted of neglecting a collie cross, who was later put down because of her injuries.
The ISPCA was alerted to the dog’s state by a member of the public in 2011. An inspector visited the farm in September of last year and found the seven-month-old female in a laneway dragging her hind legs along the ground.
Stewart told the inspector that the dog had been in that condition for four to six months after being stood on by a horse. She could no longer walk and had taken to pulling herself around by her front legs.
The collie had a large open would on one of her back legs which was giving off “an offensive smell” according to ISPCA Inspector McGinley.
When asked why he had not taken the dog to see a vet Stewart replied, “What’s the point?”
The ISPCA seized the dog immediately but she was later euthanised because of the extent of her injuries. Stewart has a previous conviction for a similar offence and an inspector says they still have concerns for other animals on his farm.
Stewart was fined €300, with €151.48 in costs for the ISPCA, and banned from owning another dog for two years. Inspector McGinley said, “We are pleased that this case has been brought to a successful conclusion and particularly welcome the imposition of a ban from keeping dogs.”
(pets.ie - Oct 12, 2012)
