Waterford man convicted of cruelty to Lurcher dogs

On Thursday 23^rd September 2024, Thomas Phelan (25) with an address at Riverglen, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford appeared before Judge Brian O’Shea at Dungarvan District Court facing charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Guilty pleas were entered in relation to four counts.

Giving evidence, ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey described how she responded to a report regarding dogs at the accused’s address on Wednesday 22^nd March 2023, and found two Lurcher dogs in the back garden. She told the court that both dogs were in very poor condition with their ribs and hip bones protruding, and the male dog had open wounds and pressure sores on his body which was indicative of lying on a hard surface for a prolonged period of time.

Mr Phelan admitted ownership of the two dogs and surrendered them to the ISPCA. They were taken for veterinary assessment where it was found that the male dog weighed just 10.1 Kg and the female 12.2 Kg. So severe were their conditions, that they were admitted to the veterinary hospital overnight.

Ms Lacey told how, over the following 10 weeks, both dogs gained staggering amounts of weight, with the male dog increasing in weight by 15.9 Kg and the female dog gaining 17.8 Kg.

Dog (Ted) before being taken into the care of the SPCA.

In a subsequent interview under caution, the defendant could not offer any explanation for the condition of the dogs other than that perhaps he wasn’t feeding them enough. In mitigation, an apology was entered on Mr Phelan’s behalf, acknowledging that he neglected his animal welfare obligations.

Convicting the defendant, Judge O’Shea remarked that “these dogs looked like skeletons”. Noting the sores and the unsuitable living conditions he said the dogs were “at the ultimate mercy of the owner”. He disqualified the accused from owning a dog or dogs for ten years, imposed fines totalling €1,000, and ordered that he pay €947 in veterinary expenses and €1,845 in legal costs.  

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