A lifetime dog ownership ban was imposed on a Waterford woman at Lismore District Court sitting in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford on Friday, the 5th of December.
Sandra Hennessy (63) of Dunmoon, North Tallow, Co Waterford, was sentenced before Judge John O’Leary after pleading guilty to 22 summons under the Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs at her former address at Dyrick, Ballinamult, Co Waterford, on dates between July 2024 and February 2025.
The offences were contrary to Sections: 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Around eighty dogs were involved in this dog neglect case which was investigated by the NSPCA inspector Alice Lacey.
In her evidence to the court, Inspector Lacey said she first visited Ms Hennessy’s house on 23 July 2024 as a result of an animal welfare concern.
Ms Hennessy informed her that there were some 29 dogs on the property. An inspection by Inspector Lacey found up to 79 dogs on site with about 20 dogs kept in a house and the remaining dogs kept in outbuildings.
In these outbuildings, conditions observed were not animal welfare friendly. Cardboard boxes and plastic boxes were being used as dog bedding. The sheds were dark and there was a large amount of dogs being kept in a small area. Dogs were dirty and had visible health issues, including ear infections, eye infections and respiratory conditions.
In the defendant’s house, the Inspector found a lurcher, called Lachlan, wrapped in a blanket with women’s sanitary towels wrapped over parts of the dog’s body. Having looked at the dog and removed one of the sanitary towels, she found the dog had wounds down to the bone. This dog was later put to sleep.
Pregnant bitches and bitches nursing puppies were also found on the property.
Dogs Removal
On 30 July 2024, some 34 dogs were removed from the house, while on 29 August, a further 21 dogs were removed. The Dogs Trust, based in Dublin, took on the care and rehabilitation of these dogs.
After the August removal of the dogs, Ms Hennessy left the property, but retained ten dogs at her new address.
Defence Counsel Sara Jane Comerford for M Ms Hennessey told the court this was not a puppy farm enterprise and it was not a case of buying and breeding and selling, rather it was a gathering of dogs by her client. In respect of the dog’s neglect, Ms Hennessy indicated to the court that she let the dogs down.
Sentencing
Judge John O’Leary said that having heard the facts, that this is “a very serious case”.
He imposed a four month sentence on each of the 22 summonses, before the court, to run concurrently, suspending the sentences for one year.
Judge O’Leary said he would also impose a lifetime ban under Section 58 of the Animal Welfare Act of keeping any animals, while he also ordered that the ten dogs currently at her property be removed immediately.
No order was given as to the costs. The costs, including veterinary, x-rays and other costs, to the ISPCA came to some €5,582.
Recognizances of €200 were fixed in the event of an appeal by Ms Hennessy.
To report any animal welfare concerns:
ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515
Report online at: https://ispca.ie/report-cruelty
E:helpline@ispca.ie.
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