ISPCA inspectors have carried out 11,065 investigations and over 2,795 animals were seized or surrendered. A total of 92 prosecutions have been initiated, 25 of which have been finalised in court to-date.
The report reveals that 16,312 calls were made to the National Animal Cruelty Helpline resulting in over 3,200 investigations where 995 animals were seized or surrendered.
Here are just some of the cases outlined in the report:
Date: Wednesday 3rd March 2016.
Court: Carlow District Court.
Defendant: Male, 20’s.
Summary:
The ISPCA visited a property in December 2014 in Co. Wicklow following a complaint from a member of the public regarding a horse. An aged bay thoroughbred gelding was discovered living on lands littered with hazardous materials. The horse was in very poor body condition and was suffering with long, cracked hooves, a swelling on its face, and discharge from its nose. The horse was seized and veterinary examinations revealed a chronic infection likely as a result of a mass growing in the sinus. The horse was euthanized on humane grounds to avoid further suffering.
Legislation: Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Conviction: Failing to safeguard the health and welfare of a horse.
Sentence: Fined €500, ordered to make a contribution of €500 to the ISPCA and to pay €600 in state costs. NO JAIL TIME.
Court: Mallow District Court.
Defendant: Male, 50’s.
Summary:
In February 2015 the ISPCA discovered a number of malnourished dogs living in unsuitable conditions at a property in Mallow, Co. Cork. Four husky puppies were confined to a filthy pen with no access to food or water or to clean, dry bedding. A female husky was chained in a disused building and living in a dark, dirty area with no access to food or water. The five dogs were seized and transported for veterinary assessment. The four puppies were found to be extremely lethargic, with one in critical condition for several days. The female
husky was severely dehydrated and discovered to be in the late stages of pregnancy and produced six puppies within five days of her rescue. All of the dogs were surrendered to the care of the ISPCA and were responsibly re-homed.
Legislation: Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Conviction: Causing unnecessary suffering to dogs.
Sentence: Fined €500 and ordered to pay €750 in costs. NO JAIL TIME.
Court: Navan District Court.
Defendant: Female, 20’s.
Summary:
The ISPCA visited a property in Co. Meath on 4th and 5th of November 2014 following a complaint about two Rottweiler dogs. Two male Rottweilers were discovered living in filthy conditions and with inadequate shelter with no access to food or water, and both were emaciated. The two dogs were surrendered to the care of the ISPCA and were subsequently responsibly re-homed. The accused pled guilty in court to failing to safeguard the welfare of the dogs and was fined and disqualified from keeping dogs for two years.
Legislation: Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Conviction: Failure to safeguard the welfare of two Rottweiler dogs.
Sentence: Fined €500 and disqualified from keeping dogs for two years. NO JAIL TIME.
Court: Navan District Court.
Defendant: Male, 50’s.
Summary:
The ISPCA was contacted by a veterinary practitioner following an examination of a six year old female golden Labrador. The dog was emaciated and barely able to walk due to abscesses on her fore-leg, and was suffering with a severe chronic skin condition over the entire lower half of her body resulting in complete hair loss, thickening of the skin and infection. The dog was surrendered to the care of the ISPCA and was humanely euthanized
on veterinary advice to prevent further suffering.
Legislation: Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Conviction: Causing unnecessary suffering to a dog.
Sentence: Three month suspended sentence (bound to keep the peace on his own bond of €250), handed €1,000 in cash into court for a local charity and legal costs awarded to the prosecution. NO JAIL TIME.
Court: Waterford Circuit Court.
Defendant: Male, 40’s.
Summary:
On 5th March 2015 a visit was made to a property in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford where three greyhounds were discovered in poor condition. The three greyhounds were initially seized and transported to a vet for assessment. One dog was emaciated and suffering with open wounds on her front and hind legs and thigh areas caused by untreated pressure sores and was euthanized on welfare grounds following veterinary advice. The other two dogs were also underweight and suffering with pressure sores, high temperatures and one
required treatment for fleas. The dogs were surrendered to the care of the Waterford SPCA by the accused, who later pleaded guilty in court.
Legislation: Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Conviction: Causing unnecessary suffering to dogs.
Sentence: Adjourned (awaiting probation report) until October 2017
Court: Waterford District Court.
Defendant: Male, 60’s.
Summary:
On 23rd October 2015 a visit was made to a home in Co. Waterford following a complaint received about a dog kept in a shed. An eight year old female West Highland Terrier dog was discovered with a horrific untreated skin condition. Following a veterinary examination it was determined that the chronic inflammation to her skin and ears could have developed over a four year period. She was also suffering with a flea infestation, matted coat and blocked ear canals. Unfortunately the dog was also diagnosed with cancer while in the care of the Waterford SPCA and was humanely euthanized based on veterinary advice.
Legislation: Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Conviction: Failing to safeguard the welfare of an animal and causing unnecessary suffering.
Sentence: Fined €1,000 and ordered to pay €765.37 in costs and veterinary care. NO JAIL TIME.
Court: Mallow District Court.
Defendant: Female, 60’s.
Summary:
In 2015 an ISPCA Inspector visited a property in Charleville Co. Cork where two dogs were discovered living in poor condition with contaminated bowls and no access to food or water. A German Shepherd dog was kept in a filthy outdoor pen with no access to food or water, and was very underweight. A female dog was also discovered living in a second area covered in feces with no access to food or water, and suffering with growths and severely overgrown nails. Both dogs were removed from the property and transported for veterinary assessment. The Labrador was in extremely poor health and was euthanized on welfare grounds following veterinary advice. The other dog was rehabilitated and has been responsibly re-homed.
Legislation: Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Conviction: Failing to provide food and clean drinking water.
Sentence: Fined €300 for offences relating to contaminated bowls and lack of water to the German Shepherd dog. NO JAIL TIME.
Court: Letterkenny District Court.
Defendant: Male, 60’s.
Summary:
In February and March 2014, an ISPCA Inspector visited a property in Donegal and discovered a number of serious animal welfare issues. Among the animals found were a donkey too weak to stand, two emaciated calves, and an emaciated pony which could not bear weight on one of her fore-legs. These animals had to be euthanized onsite on welfare grounds following veterinary advice, and a further seven ponies were surrendered to the care of the ISPCA. The defendant had 25 previous convictions for animal related offences, and was ordered to dispose of all the animals on the property.
Legislation: European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2010.
Conviction: Causing unnecessary suffering.
Sentence: Three month suspended sentence and ordered to pay €250 in ISPCA costs. NO JAIL TIME.
Our Inspectors became authorized officers under the AHWA in May 2014 and since then have used their statutory powers effectively to deal with animal neglect, cruelty and abuse.
“In 2016 alone, our inspectors initiated 32 prosecutions and saw 15 finalized in court with successful conclusions.”
Kelly added, “We currently only have eight inspectors covering 17 counties. Our resources are stretched to breaking point and we need more inspectors on the ground dealing with animal cruelty.
“Our aim is to recruit enough inspectors to cover the whole of the country and we would like to appeal to the animal loving public to help us with this work.”
(Journal IE - March 7, 2017)
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