A Carlow woman has received a lifetime ban from owning dogs after she admitted to eight charges under sections of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Judge Geraldine Carthy imposed the ban on Seeta O’Neill, of Maple Court, Phelimstown, Tullow, Co Carlow, at Carlow District Court on April 3rd.
The court heard evidence from ISPCA senior inspector Fiona Conlon, who said she visited the defendant’s property on February 29 2024, following a report made by a concerned member of the public.
She discovered three dogs in total. Two of the dogs, a Jack Russell called Jack, and a Yorkshire Terrier dog called Sasha, were in extremely bad condition.
The third, described as “a tiny little Yorkshire Terrier dog” and previously known as Bella, was already deceased. The dogs were living outside, with no evidence of any food or water.
All three dogs were removed and taken to Vetcare in Athy, where an autopsy was carried out on Bella. It showed that Bella had weighed just 0.8kg at the time of her death, well below a healthy weight of 2.5kg for her breed and size.
A veterinary report highlighted several signs of neglect, including “severe muscle wastage” and “eyes matted shut”. It concluded that malnourishment was a likely factor in her death.
Inspector Conlon described to the court how the other two surviving dogs, were also severely emaciated. She said that Jack was so emaciated that she “could count the vertebrae on his spine”. He also had rotting teeth and severely swollen anal glands.
Ms Conlon told how Sasha was found to have no teeth at all and weighed just 1.5kg when she should have weighed at least twice that.
The inspector described the dog’s condition “just skin and bones”, and told how her hair was badly impacted with faeces”. Inspector Conlon said what she witnessed was “pure neglect” and “lack of care”.
In mitigation, solicitor Chris Hogan, representing the defendant, outlined that his client had several personal issues, and significant mental health problems.
He confirmed to the court that his client was consenting to a lifetime disqualification, and was also providing an undertaking to the court, that no one in her household would have animals in their care for her lifetime.
It was indicated that she was offering to pay any veterinary bills, which was confirmed amounted to €793.60. The court was also advised that the ministerial costs accrued in the sum of €1,500 plus vat, being a total sum being sought by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) amounted to €2,638.60.
Judge Carthy advised that she wished to see the payment to the ISPCA within two months and for that reason the case is adjourned to the of June 5, 2025 for finalisation.
Speaking after the case, senior inspector Conlon said: “The suffering caused to these little dogs was nothing short of shocking. Jack and Sasha are now in their golden years and thankfully living their best lives with a wonderful foster family. Sadly, Bella won’t get that chance."
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