In a ruling by Judge John Aylmer at the Letterkenny Circuit Court, a 49-year-old father of seven with a history of 35 prior convictions, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to one charge under section 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2013.
In a heart-wrenching incident, a newborn piebald foal fell victim to a tragic sequence of events, highlighting the dire consequences of neglect. The foal, just a few days old, was left unattended by the defendant who chose to embark on a drinking spree.
This unfortunate foal was subjected to an attack by two dogs on the property leaving the foal with severe injuries that proved to be insurmountable.
Garda Barbara Doherty told the court how she arrived at the scene on January 16, 2020, where she discovered the foal outside a stable, suffering from a significant wound on its right hip. The foal was trembling and unable to stand. Garda Doherty returned later that day accompanied by ISPCA Superintendent Inspector Kevin McGinley and a veterinary surgeon, at which time the foal had been moved inside a shed.
Veterinarian Dr. Leslie Smyth, who examined the foal, estimated its age to be just a few days old. The foal was unable to stand, exhibiting visible signs of distress, with an eight-inch wound that penetrated to the bone. The living conditions were deplorable, with only bare concrete and soil for the foal. Dr. Smyth concluded that the injuries were consistent with a dog attack, while the foal’s mother was present in the shed. Regrettably, the foal’s condition had reached a point of no return, necessitating its humane euthanasia.
The defendant’s explanation for the negligence was that he was celebrating the birth of the foal. He also told Gardai that he believed the foal had been given baby powder to stop the bleeding. He did pay for the vet’s services and donated €40 to the ISPCA.
The court took into account the defendant’s clean record with regard to animal cruelty. Nevertheless, the severity of the offence warranted a prison sentence. Judge Aylmer sentenced the defendant to two years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended. The defendant was also banned from keeping or working with animals for a period of five years.
Speaking afterwards ISPCA Superintendent Inspector McGinley said, “This was a very unfortunate case of an animal just a few days old having to be humanely euthanised as a result of the injuries it sustained” Mr. McGinley issued a reminder to all animal owners that we all have a moral and indeed a legal obligation to ensure the safety of all animals under our care or control.
