Judge Carthy said that this case was one of the vital critical instances she had handled throughout her time as a District Court Judge
Nigel O’Hara of Fourteen Acres, Kilcarrig, Bagnalstown, Co. Carlow, was convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to 4 months imprisonment at Carlow District Court on Thursday.
Judge Geraldine Carthy imposed a lifetime ban on Mr O’Hara from preserving dogs, fined him €2,000 and ordered that he pay an additional €3,791.78 in ISPCA prices and €1,000 in Ministerial Prosecutions prices.
The courtroom beforehand heard that when ISPCA Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon carried out two inspections of Mr O’Hara’s premises, in June and July 2021,19 dogs needed to be faraway from the property.
Ms Conlon described calling to the placement on twenty first June 2021, together with ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey and discovering 24 dogs – together with Greyhounds, Jack Russell Terriers, a Rottweiler and a Beagle cross – a few of which had been dwelling in poor situations.
Abused canine
One Greyhound was shut in a canine trailer, a Jack Russell was confined in a small picket canine kennel, and different dogs had been in soiled sheds with poor air flow and little pure mild. Some of the dogs didn’t have access to water.
Quite a lot of bodily points affecting the dogs had been recognized. Several of the dogs had been emaciated, and others had strain sores, dental issues, and overgrown nails.
Ms Conlon instructed the courtroom that the 12 most impacted dogs had been initially seized. She met with Mr O’Hara two days later, at which period he surrendered the seized dogs and gave commitments to rehome any remaining dogs, till he may commit the mandatory time to their care.
However, when Ms Conlon returned on eighth July 2021, she discovered extra dogs in soiled kennels and darkish unventilated sheds, some with out access to water. An additional seven dogs had been initially seized and subsequently surrendered.
Jack Russsel was stored locked up
Judge Carthy adjourned the case for one month to permit a comply with up go to to verify that the accused at present had no dogs in his possession and to think about a sentence.
On passing sentence, Judge Carthy said the case was one of the vital critical she had handled throughout her time as a District Court Judge, within the Carlow District.
She mentioned that the proof of Ms Conlon was stark, and that essentially the most aggravating issue was the extent of neglect and the variety of dogs concerned.
Animal sore
“As ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspectors, we aim to act as a voice for the voiceless and try to ensure that there is justice for animals that are subjected to neglect or mistreatment”, commented Senior Inspector Conlon.
“There are consequences for those that commit animal welfare offences but, in this case, had the defendant delivered on the commitments that he gave after my first visit, the consequences may not have been so severe”.
To report any animal welfare issues, please name the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, report on-line at: www.ispca.ie/cruelty_complaint or e-mail [email protected].
The ISPCA work laborious to take away animals from horrible conditions.
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