A man allowed his pet dog to crawl around on its back legs for up to six months after it had been stood on by a horse.
Leslie Stewart was banned from keeping dogs for two years and fined €300 when he appeared at Letterkenny District Court today.
Stewart of The Thorn, Letterkenny, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a collie dog.
The court heard that Stewart’s farm was visited by ISPCA Inspector Kevin McGinley accompanied by the Donegal County Dog Warden on Monday 5th September 2011.
Inspector McGinley found a black and white Collie dog that had no use of its back legs.
On closer inspection of the dog he saw that it had open wounds on its legs from dragging itself along on hard surfaces.
A shocked Mr McGinley described how there was “an offensive smell emanating from these wounds”.
Mr Stewart told Inspector McGinley that the injury to the dog, a seven month old female, had occurred some four to six months previously and he suspected that a horse stood on her but he was unable to be more specific.
No veterinary attention had been sought after the injury occurred.
Mr Stewart surrendered the dog to the ISPCA and it was taken to a veterinary surgeon who euthanized the animal on humane grounds.
Speaking after the case Inspector McGinley said “We are pleased that this case has been brought to a successful conclusion and particularly welcome the imposition of a ban from keeping dogs”.
Judge Paul Kelly imposed a €300 fine, ordered Mr. Stewart to pay €151.48 costs to the ISPCA and banned him from keeping dogs for a period of two years.
Inspector McGinley commented “We are pleased that this case has been brought to a successful conclusion and particularly welcome the imposition of a ban from keeping dogs”.