The neglect of seven dogs has led to a Cork man being convicted of dog neglect, fined and disqualified from dog ownership.
Pat O’ Neill, Lanefield House, Gooseberry Hil, Newmarket, Co. Cork appeared at Mallow District Court on the 2nd March where he pleaded guilty to 15 breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The case was brought by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Mr O’ Neill admitted causing unnecessary suffering to seven dogs, failing to protect their health and welfare, and failing to provide them with uncontaminated drinking water and wholesome food at Gooseberry Hill on May 15th, 2024.
NSPCA Inspector Visit
The case arose when Caroline Faherty, a welfare inspector with the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) acting on a tip-off from the local dog warden, visited the Mr O Neill property at Gooseberry Hill, Co. Cork.
She found a number of dogs being kept in a shed. They were an adult collie, a juvenile collie, four collie pups and an adult terrier. Conditions in the shed were poor with dog faeces on the floor. The dogs had matted coats that were encrusted with faeces. Two of the adult dogs were friendly, but the pups were feral and showing signs of fear and aggression.
A dog seizure order was issued to Mr O’ Neill by Ms Faherty. The dogs were taken into care for veterinary treatment and canine rehabilitation.
Inherited the Dogs
Defence barrister David Kent outlined to the court that his client has inherited the dogs from his late father. Mr O’ Neill was providing food and water to the dogs but it was not adequate canine management. He asked Judge Colm Roberts to impose the Probation Act which would avoid his client getting a criminal conviction.
However, Judge Roberts said he was going impose a conviction and a disqualification.
He convicted Mr O’Neill on all 15 counts and disqualified him from keeping dogs for 10 years. He ordered him to pay €500 fines on six of the offences as well as pay €10,766 in costs for rehabilitating the pups, €2,500 in legal costs, and €1,600 in veterinary witness costs.
To report any animal welfare concerns:
NSPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515
Report online at: https://ispca.ie/report-cruelty
E:helpline@ispca.ie.
Department of Agriculture (DAFM): For farm animals and horses.
01 607 2379 / 0761 064 408
animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
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