Kildare man convicted of cruelty to a dog that had to be euthanised on humane grounds (Warning: Graphic content)

Some readers may find the details of this story disturbing.

A 48-year-old man was fined over €3,000 after being found guilty of cruelty to a dog at Naas District Court earlier this month. At Naas District Court on Monday, 5 March, Mark McEvoy (48), of Carbury, Co. Kildare, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and neglecting or being reckless regarding the health and welfare of an animal contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The case related to a Terrier removed by the ISPCA from a property at Kilraney, Carbury, Co. Kildare on Friday, 26 February, 2016. ISPCA Inspector Mary Claire Casement described to the court how she responded to a complaint made to the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline and found the aged terrier dog in an emaciated condition with large mammary tumours, bad teeth and poor skin. She seized the dog and brought it to a veterinary practitioner, where it was immediately euthanised on humane grounds to prevent further suffering. Mr McEvoy subsequently made contact with the ISPCA and, in an interview under caution, agreed that he was responsible for the dog. Readers should be warned that the images below are of a graphic nature and that they may find them disturbing. In court, the defendant contested the charges, claiming that the dogs were owned by his uncle who was in hospital and that he was not in control of the dog but merely feeding it. But, when asked by Judge Desmond Zaidan, Mr McEvoy conceded that he was aware that the dog was in poor health from “around Christmas”, approximately two months prior to its removal. Judge Zaidan asked him: “How could you have not done anything about it?” Mr McEvoy was convicted on two offences under sections 12(1)(a) and 12(1)(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and acquitted on two further counts under sections 11 and 13. Judge Zaidan imposed a fine of €500 on each count and ordered Mr McEvoy to pay €1500 in state costs and €584 ISPCA expenses. Inspector Casement commented: “When you take on the responsibility of caring for an animal you must address any issue that may arise. A failure to seek veterinary attention for this dog when it was clearly needed resulted in it being subjected to prolonged suffering.” You can find more information about the ISPCA’s work, make a donation, or report animal cruelty in confidence on the ISPCA website.