BREAKING: Tipperary woman receives lifetime ban from owning or keeping animals

Annemarie O’Reilly with an address at Aubrey Road, Glengoogle, Thurles appeared before Thurles District Court on Tuesday  December 17, 2024, where she pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

She was fined €150 on each count and ordered to pay €3,365 in costs to the ISPCA.

Additionally, she received a lifetime ban on owning or keeping animals.

The court heard evidence from ISPCA Senior Inspector Emma Carroll who responded to a complaint from a concerned member of the public on October 19, 2023.

On visiting the defendant’s property, Ms Carroll discovered two small dogs in appalling conditions.

She described finding the dogs in a small, filthy wooden kennel surrounded by a garden strewn with rubbish. The dogs had severe hair loss, red and inflamed skin, and were heavily infested with fleas.

One of the dogs, a Yorkshire terrier-type named Teddy, was extremely underweight with matted hair and overgrown nails.

The other, a long-haired Chihuahua-type dog named Rocky, was also extremely underweight, had a swollen red ulcerated eye and was visibly distressed due to his skin condition.

Both dogs were immediately seized under the Animal Health and Welfare Act and brought to a veterinary clinic for urgent care.

Ms O’Reilly subsequently admitted that she was aware of the dogs' poor condition, but had failed to provide adequate treatment, claiming to have purchased only basic over-the-counter remedies.

Photographs were shown to the court of Teddy and Rocky’s condition at the time of their rescue and after their rehabilitation.

In delivering her judgment, Judge Keane commented on how well the dogs looked in their recovery pictures and said that "no reason could justify allowing dogs to suffer in the way these two dogs did". 

ISPCA Senior Inspector Emma Carroll commented: "The situation these dogs were in had clearly deteriorated over time, with little done to alleviate their suffering.

"The lack of veterinary treatment, suitable shelter, and clean water was evident, and the putrid conditions in which they were found were simply unacceptable", adding "This case demonstrates the devastating effects of neglect and the importance of holding those responsible accountable. We are grateful to Judge Keane for imposing a lifetime ban".