Woman banned from owning a dog for life after conviction for 'appalling' neglect
A woman was banned from owning a dog for life after a conviction for “appalling” neglect. Photo: ISPCA
A south Tipperary woman has been convicted of animal welfare offences after her dog was found with a “large open cavity on the right side of the dog’s face” and “numerous live maggots” found in an untreated wound.
The dog was euthanised due to the state it was found in.
The Mullinahone woman was recently brought before Judge Cephas Power at Clonmel District Court on Tuesday, September 3, accused of four charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. She pleaded guilty to the offences.
Waterford native ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey was called to the home of 46-year-old Helen Dunne where she found a small, male Yorkshire Terrier in a small yard.
Inspector Lacey said she found the dog in a “disorientated state”, she testified that the dog had a “large open cavity” on his face and was in a generally unkempt state.
The ISPCA Inspector seized the dog for assessment and treatment. The ISPCA found that “numerous live maggots were seen moving around in the eye socket. As well as the damage to his right eye, it was found that the dog was blind in his left eye.
"He was also suffering from a chronic infection in both ears.”
The defendant had claimed her dog was the victim of an attack and she had sought out veterinary treatment for her pet prior to the ISPCA inspection but no evidence of treatment could be found by the court.
The Judge in the case, Judge Cephas Power, described the neglect of the dog as “appalling” and convicted the defendant.
Judge Power sentenced the pet owner to a suspended three-month term of imprisonment and issued her a fine of €500.
The court also disqualified Ms Dunne from owning a dog for life.
Waterford’s Senior Inspector Alice Lacey described the suffering the Yorkshire Terrier ‘Jack’ had received as “needless and preventable” and that it had continued for a number of months.
Inspector Lacey said it was “extremely upsetting” to see the state the dog was in and that “he was not even aware I was in the yard with him until I touched him.”
She said that “failing to seek veterinary treatment for an animal who is suffering is unacceptable” and it was this act that led to the conviction.
“I am grateful to the veterinary practice who acted promptly and allowed Jack the dignity and respect he so much deserved at the very end,” she said.
