Animals found in ‘outrageous state’
A MAN has pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty after gardaí discovered a dog and a cat being kept in a serious state of neglect while under his care.
Trevor Mahon of Tullyhorky, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday.
The case stemmed from an incident in February 2019 when the ISPCA and gardaí from Ballyshannon discovered a boxer dog and a cat in a state of neglect. They were removed from a property and brought to a local vet for an urgent assessment. The dog, l ater named Rosco, weighed only 20.4kg and the eight-year-old cat, named Mindy, weighed just 2kg.
Judge Kevin Kilrane ordered Mahon, 35, to pay €832 in costs to the ISPCA and to make a contribution of €300 to the charity.
Judge Kilrane said: ‘These animals were living in an outrageous state of filth and the ribs were protruding on the dog. This case, no doubt, has caused embarrassment to the defendant.’
Both animals were taken to the I SPCA Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre and were subsequently surrendered into the care of the ISPCA.
ISPCA Centre Manager Denise McCausland said: ‘ Rosco was dangerously underweight on arrival with his ribs and hip bones protruding, but his gentle and sweet nature shone through almost immediately.
‘Although Mindy didn’t appear as thin, she was very underweight and relished the good food and attention she received.’
Rosco made a full recovery but sadly, Mindy did not respond to treatment and was later put down on foot of veterinary advice.
‘Relished food and attention’