Man pleads guilty to causing uncessesary suffering to mare
A NORTH CORK man has been fined after he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a mare by a rope embedded in her nose.
During a sitting of Mallow District Court Cornelus Guiney with an address at Rockchapel pleaded guilty to two summons resulting from a call made to his property on September 6 last.
Responding to a call made to the National Animal Cruelty Helpline ISPCA senior inspector Lisa O’Donovan arrived at the property to find a grey mare with a rope deeply embedded in her nose.
She said the open wound was severely infected causing distress and there was also a large infestation of flies present.
Following the discovery the mare was immediately taken from the property and brought to the ISPCA Equine Rescue Centre in Mallow for urgent veterinary treatment. Based on veterinary opinion it was determined the injury was several weeks old and would have caused unnecessary suffering to the mare for some time.
When the mare was scanned it was discovered she had not been micro-chipped, but the owner was located through further investigation.
The mare, which was renamed Roxy, was surrendered into the care of the ISPCA where she is receiving ongoing care and rehabilitation.
Commenting on the case, Inspector O’Donovan thanked the anonymous member of the public who alerted the ISPCA to Roxy’s plight.
“We are grateful to them and pleased that this case has been brought to a conclusion. Roxy is has since made a spectacular recovery under the caring supervision and treatment of the vets, staff and volunteers at our dedicated Equine Rescue Centre in Mallow,” she said.
Ms O’Donovan said she hoped the case would further serve to highlight the responsibility that owners have to provide fully for the animals under their care.
“Equines need to be checked regularly and this injury was totally preventable. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated and ISPCA inspectors can and will instigate legal proceedings if owners are failing in this regard,” she warned.
“Members of the public should report animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA by contacting the helpline on 1890 515 515 or by contacting us online at www.ispca.ie,” she added.
Ms O’Donovan said that all contacts from members of the public will be treated with confidence.