Celbridge couple fined for animal abuse after dogs found severely underweight in 'filthy conditions'

A Celbridge couple in their 40s have pleaded guilty to five offences of animal abuse, following the recovery of the couple's two dogs in harrowing conditions by the ISPCA.

At Dublin District Court on Thursday 20th June, the couple, from Primrose Gate, Celbridge, Co Kildare, entered guilty pleas to five offences each under sections 11, 12, and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA).

ISPCA Inspector James McCormack gave evidence of calling to the defendants’ home on Monday 28th November 2022, in response to a report received.

He spoke with the woman and was shown two dogs. One was a Shih-tzu type dog in a yard at the back of the house without access to food or water. The dog’s coat was badly matted, and it was underweight.

The second dog was an American Bulldog, which was living in filthy conditions in a pen to the side of the property. It was extremely thin with his ribs very prominent and had no food or clean water.

The defendant told Inspector McCormack that she and her partner were the owners of both dogs and agreed to surrender them into the care of the ISPCA.

A subsequent veterinary examination found both dogs to be malnourished with body condition scores of just 1/5. The American Bully had muscle wastage on his back legs, and both dogs had ear discharge and overgrown nails.

The matts on the Shih-tzu were tightened on the skin and causing pain. Inspector McCormack later conducted an interview under caution with the man, at which time he took responsibility for the care of both dogs.

The court heard that the Shih-tzu was successfully rehomed but that the Bully had persistent health issues while in the care of the ISPCA and was euthanised 10 months after his removal. It could not be said whether the health issues were a direct consequence of the care he had received previously.

After hearing mitigation from the defence, Judge Anthony Halpin indicated that he intended to apply the Probation Act, provided both parties gave an undertaking not to keep any dogs for a period of five years and agreed to contribute €1,000 each to the ISPCA. He adjourned the matter until 21st July 2025.

Speaking about the case, Inspector McCormack said this was "a case of wilful neglect to two dogs that were left in a yard and ignored".

"This led to severe weight loss and filthy conditions, with the most basic requirement of food and water ignored. The Shih-tzu was so severely matted that I could not make out his face. Unfortunately, despite stellar work by the ISPCA staff, the American Bulldog had to be euthanised on veterinary advice due to medical issues that were affecting his quality of life.

"The ISPCA will continue to fight cruelty to animals by meeting it head on and endeavouring to bring those who inflict cruelty and neglect on all animals to justice,” McCormack added.

The ISPCA encourages the public to continue to report any animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, online at: https://ispca.ie/report-cruelty/ or email helpline@ispca.ie.