Tipperary Man Convicted Of Animal Cruelty For Keeping Dogs In “Deplorable” Conditions

A Tipperary man has been convicted of cruelty for keeping dogs in appalling conditions, and has been fined €1,750 for cruelty and ordered to pay €1,600 in costs at Tipperary District Court.

As reported by The Evening Echo, the court case came about after ISPCA inspector Alice Lacey visited the man's property in November 2015.

There she discovered a number of German Shepherd type dogs who were living in what the ISPCA have describes as ""deplorable conditions."

Five German Shepherd cross puppies were found in a filthy pen with no access to water or shelter, and a pregnant dog was also found chained to a tractor without access to water shelter.

Another female German Shepherd was discovered chained inside a pen.

The chain was extremely heavy, weighing over eight kilograms, and was wrapped several times around a heavy plank of wood - meaning that the dog couldn't move at all.

The chain was embedded deep into the dogs neck and had to be cut off with bolt cutters, indicating to Inspector Lacey that it had been there for some time to cause such extreme damage.

The dog chained to the tractor was also heavily pregnant, and gave birth to a litter of puppies a few days after being rescued.

Inspector Lacey said: "This case highlights the responsibility that pet owners have a legal responsibility to provide appropriate care for the animals in their care in all circumstances."

12 dogs and puppies in total were seized by the ISPCA, and numerous animal bones - including a skull - were discovered on the property.

Members of the public can report animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA by contacting the National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890-515-515, or report online in confidence.

All images: ISPCA