Cat found dead after attack by dog – owner fined €400

A MAN whose dog allegedly attacked a cat that was later found dead, pleaded guilty to having a dog unaccompanied and not under his control and was fined €400 in addition to a public order fine of €150 at Tubbercurry District Court. Michael Walsh (46), of 3 St Anthony’s Crescent, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo was charged with having a dog unaccompanied and not under his or another person’s effective control at Connolly Park, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo on November 21, 2020. He was further charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Connolly Park, Tubbercurryon October 6, 2021. Another charge of having a dog unaccompanied and not under control was withdrawn. The court heard that in respect of the November 2020 offence, the injured party’s mother came to the front door and said his dog had attacked the back of a black and white cat her daughter owned, and she found the cat dead after the attack.

In respect of the October 2021 offence, the injured party alleged Mr Walsh came to her gate, banged the windscreen of her car and the front door. He was irate in relation to the dog and hurled abuse at her.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court the defendant was pleading guilty to both offences. The public order offence stemmed from another incident and Mr Walsh was irate in relation to the report made about his dog.

The parties to the case were neighbours. Defending solicitor, Tom MacSharry said his client very much regretted the offence which happened two years ago and he apologised profusely for it.

He was a 46-year-old single man and the Labrador dog that he had owned for 12 years was his close companion.

The dog had never caused any trouble. He had no criticism of the elderly woman who fed cats in the area, and he never had issues before or since with any neighbour.

He wished he could turn back the clock but couldn’t. He was pleading guilty, was never in court before and the solicitor was confident he would not be again.

Mr Walsh said he wished to apologise publicly for everything that happened. He told the court he was controlling his dog and the animal hadn’t gone out since.

When Judge Vincent Deane inquired as to the breed, he said it was not a pure-bred Labrador and was small, jet black and looked more like a sheep dog.

Following an adjournment to Sligo District Court on Thursday of last week for the court to determine the penalty, in respect of the dog charge the judge imposed a fine of €400 on the defendant. And for the public order charge he imposed a fine of €150 granting six months to pay each fine.