Benny Deegan, with an address of Clonminch, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, admitted a total of 30 offences in contravention of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA).
The farmer appeared before Tullamore District Court on Monday, January 20th.
The offences comprised causing unnecessary suffering to animals, neglecting or being reckless regarding the health and welfare of animals, failing to safeguard the health and welfare of animals and permitting carcasses to be on land or premises to which a dog may have access.
The prosecution was taken by DAFM, represented by Helen Johnson BL, instructed by Sandra Mahon, State Solicitor.
Judge Catherine Staines convicted Mr Deegan on one count taking the others into consideration and sentenced him to five months imprisonment with one-month.
In addition, Judge Staines imposed a €5,000 fine and imposed a lifetime ban from keeping animals on Mr Deegan and banned the keeping of animals on the lands to which the offences related.
Joint investigations
The case resulted from joint investigations by the ISPCA and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) on various dates in August 2018 and January and February 2019 and related to dogs (including a pregnant terrier, labradors, lurchers, beagles, spaniels and puppies), various horses (including foals), fowl, pigs and goats.
“An initial visit made to Mr Deegan’s property by the ISPCA on August 2nd, 2018 uncovered an unregistered dog breeding establishment with dozens of dogs living in squalor.” the ISPCA said in a statement.
This led to a multi-agency inspection involving ISPCA Inspectors, DAFM and Offaly County Council.
ISPCA senior inspector, Lisa O’Donovan, who led the investigation on behalf of the ISPCA, described what she saw: “All of the dogs were living in squalor. The entire premises was filthy with little to no attention to animal husbandry.”
“Any water that was present was filthy and heavily contaminated. Any feed present was contaminated and, in many cases, infested with maggots. Many of the dogs were thirsty and drank with great gusto when offered water”.
“Fleas were visible to the naked eye hopping on the coats of the dogs. All the dogs smelt of urine and faeces, more had sores on their bodies.” explained ISPCA inspector, Emma Carroll.
“Dogs were suffering from hair loss and hair matting.”
38 dogs
In addition to the live dogs of various breeds including golden labradors, bichon frise, dobermans, springer spaniels, cocker spaniels, mixed breeds and jack russell terriers, investigators discovered three dead puppies cast aside in the corridor of a shed.
A total of 38 dogs were initially seized but subsequently surrendered. Veterinary examinations revealed a multitude of ailments including conjunctivitis, arthritis, ulcers, lesions, parasite infestation and self-trauma.
In addition to the animals removed, a further nine puppies were born to bitches in the care of the ISPCA.
While the majority of the dogs and puppies were rehabilitated and responsibly rehomed, a small number were euthanised on veterinary advice due to health issues.
