Man sent to criminal court on dog drowning charge
A MAN will stand trial on the charge of attempting to drown a Jack Russell terrier by tying a five-litre drum of water to its neck.
Ivo Sprogis, 35, appeared before Drogheda District Court charged with the attempted drowning of a dog at the Boyne Canal in Drogheda, Co. Louth, on July 19, last year.
At a previous court sitting, Inspector Brendan Cadden said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal of the case at District Court level, where, if convicted, the penalties are less than those of the circuit court.
However, on hearing an outline of the case, Judge John Coughlan refused jurisdiction to have it heard at District Court level due to the seriousness of the charge.
Insp. Cadden told the previous hearing that on the day of the alleged incident, gardaí were alerted after a man was seen at the canal at Oldbridge House in Drogheda.
‘It is alleged the defendant was out walking the dog and allegedly threw the dog into the river,’ he said.
He said passersby alerted members of Drogheda River Rescue of a dog in distress in the canal. After the terrier was rescued it was taken to the vet where it was found to be uninjured.
The court heard that a five-litre drum of water had been fixed to the terrier’s neck using cable ties.
‘This is a very serious charge and I am refusing jurisdiction,’ said Judge Coughlan.
He gave the defendant, whose address was recorded as The Park, Martello Village, Bryanstown in Co. Louth, a formal alibi warning, meaning he must provide to the prosecution with details of any alibis he intends to rely on in the course of his trial.
He assigned one senior counsel and one junior counsel to the defendant’s solicitor Eleanor Kelly.
Judge Coughlan also directed disclosure to the defence by the prosecution of copies of the video of the defendant’s garda interview.
The defendant has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charge.
The case has been sent forward to the next sitting of Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court on October 3.