A Cork man has pleaded guilty to two counts under section 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA).
Patrick Walsh with an address at No. 1 Youghal Road, Killeagh, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to the charges at Youghal District Court on October 15th.
He was disqualified from keeping equines for five years and ordered to pay €3,000 to the ISPCA.
The case related to a visit made by ISPCA Inspector Alice Lacey to a location in Reanaboola, Clashmore, Co. Waterford on Tuesday 2nd June 2020, in response to a report about two ponies in a field.
The ISPCA said that upon arrival it was immediately obvious that one of the ponies, a Chestnut male which was lying down, was in distress. He was overweight and his hooves were overgrown. He struggled to get to his feet and, when he eventually managed to stand up, he was very unsteady and unable to bear weight on his left front leg. The second pony, a grey dun female, also had very overgrown hooves and was very overweight.
Both ponies were immediately removed to the ISPCA Equine Rescue Centre in Mallow for an urgent veterinary assessment.
The female pony, later called Bumble, was estimated to be about 18 years of age. She was found by the vet to be morbidly obese and suffering with laminitis. All four hooves were overgrown and it was evident that hoof care had been severely neglected. The pony was also suffering from sweet itch, an inflammatory condition of the skin.
The male chestnut pony was estimated to be 8 years old. He was extremely lame and obese. On closer inspection, an open wound which was infested with maggots was found inside the cavity of the hoof.
X-rays of the front two limb confirmed that there was a severe rotation of the pedal bone in the hoof indicating that the pony had been suffering from laminitis over a prolonged period of time. On veterinary advice, he was euthanised to prevent further suffering.
Following urgent farrier care and a strict diet in ISPCA care, Bumble made a full recovery and was later rehomed.
Bumble during rehabilitation at the ISPCA
ISPCA Inspector Alice Lacey said the ponies had suffered needlessly:
"It was really distressing to see the level of neglect they would have endured over a prolonged period of time. They would have been in severe pain with every step they took, which could have totally been prevented, with proper animal husbandry and care. Owners have a legal and moral obligation to provide for the animals in their care. In this case, there was a complete failure and lack of action to address these issues which, in turn led to the prolonged and unnecessary suffering of both ponies. Turning a blind eye to such issues will simply not be tolerated”.
On imposing the disqualification Judge Brian O’Shea commented “The most aggravating factor in this case is the significant neglect of these two animals – it’s outrageous in fact. The accused bought these animals, knew very little and simply neglected them. I am making a disqualification for five years from owning any equines, and a cost of €3,000 to be paid to the ISPCA’s Equine Rescue in Mallow”.
He adjourned that matter until June 3rd 2022 indicating that, if the accused failed to pay the costs by that time, he would convict, fine €1,000 and impose a two month custodial sentence.
The ISPCA works in collaboration with our affiliated member organisation Waterford SPCA.
This case was prosecuted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Any animal welfare concerns can be reported to the ISPCA online here https://www.ispca.ie/cruelty_complaint or by calling on 0818 515 515 or emailing [email protected] to help us prevent cruelty to all animals.
