Latest news with #AnimalHealthandWelfareAct2013
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Couple who neglected dogs jailed and banned from keeping animals
Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty have received lifetime disqualifications from keeping animals Two emaciated dogs found by the ISPCA, one of which died due to severe neglect. Photo: ISPCA A couple from Navan, Co. Meath have been jailed and received lifetime disqualifications from keeping animals after being convicted of cruelty to dogs. Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty with an address at 20 Oaklawns, Clogherboy, Navan, Co. Meath were charged with six offences each under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The charges related to two emaciated dogs, one of which died, due to its neglect. The court heard evidence that ISPCA Inspector James McCormack called to the defendants' address on February, 26, 2024, in response to a report received. He saw two dogs in the back garden, both of which were in poor condition and one of which was already deceased and lying by the back door. There was no food, water or shelter available, and there was a black discharge from the dead dog's rear. Two emaciated dogs found by the ISPCA, one of which died due to severe neglect. Photo: ISPCA News in 90 Seconds - July 26th Horace and Rafferty admitted joint ownership of the dead dog, a long-haired Terrier that had been named Bruno. Rafferty claimed ownership of the other dog, a Collie x pup called Sheba. They conceded that the dogs had not been checked since the previous day, although it was lunchtime when the Inspector called, and they were not aware that Bruno had died. There was dog food and a bowl of water inside the house, but the dogs did not have access to them. The two dogs were removed for veterinary assessment, and both were found to be extremely underweight with body condition scores of just one out of nine. Their bones were prominent, and the stomach of the deceased dog was found to be empty other than for sharp pieces of plastic and dark black digestive juices. The court was furnished with photographs taken by inspector McCormack and heard that there was clear evidence that the two canines had been neglected, in total disregard as to their health and welfare, and exposed to unnecessary suffering over a prolonged period of time. Ms. Justice Eirinn McKiernan decided that the only appropriate sentence for the offences was a custodial sentence and sentenced both defendants to imprisonment for a term of two months on one offence with all other charges taken into consideration. She refused requests from Rafferty's defence solicitor to suspend her sentence, even temporarily. Reflecting on the case, inspector McCormack commented: 'It was shocking to find Bruno dead in the yard, lying against the back door. His only hope was the occupants of the house, and they never came. 'Sheba the pup was lucky that the call was made. Although very underweight, she got out in time, recovered fully, and now lives in a loving home. Sheba got a chance that her companion did not.' The ISPCA has urged the public to continue reporting any suspicions of animal cruelty or neglect to its National Animal Cruelty Helpline by calling 0818 515 515, through email or its website.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Meath couple who neglected dogs jailed and banned from keeping animals
Today at 01:00 A couple from Navan, Co. Meath have been jailed and received lifetime disqualifications from keeping animals after being convicted of cruelty to dogs. Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty with an address at 20 Oaklawns, Clogherboy, Navan, Co. Meath were charged with six offences each under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Wicklow woman (22) banned from keeping animals for 30 years
Sarah Cullen (22) with an address at Asgard Close, Arklow, Co Wicklow, entered guilty pleas at Arklow District Court yesterday to a total of four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including one of obstructing an authorised officer. Judge David Kennedy imposed a 30-year disqualification from keeping all animals, a nominal €500 fine, and ordered that Ms Cullen pay €2,620.35 in ISPCA costs. The court heard evidence from ISPCA chief inspector Conor Dowling yesterday, who described how he called at the defendant's home on April 9, 2024, which was in response to a report received from a concerned member of the public. Mr Dowling spoke with Ms Cullen, who brought two dogs to the front door: a back and white Collie named Sky and a six-month-old Golden Retriever pup named Romeo. Inspector Dowling said he could immediately see that both dogs were in poor condition and told how he picked up the Collie and was alarmed at how light she was. He said he could feel every bone in her body and described her as "a bag of bones". The inspector made the decision that he was going to bring both dogs for veterinary assessment and would seize them if necessary. While he loaded the Collie into his vehicle, the accused brought the Retriever pup into the house and would not permit the inspector access to it. The court heard that Mr Dowling advised the defendant that he would seek a search warrant to gain access to the dog if necessary. He said she seemed more concerned about who had made the report and said that she wanted to make a complaint about the officer. Mr Dowling told how he gave the accused a business card and advised how she could go about making a complaint, adding that, as he left the property, Ms Cullen said: 'I'll have your job you f***ing c***'. ADVERTISEMENT Collie Sky was taken to a local vet, where she was found to weigh just 7.5kg, but veterinary records showed that she had been presented for vaccination two years prior, at which time she was almost double that weight, at 14.8kg. The vet assigned her a body condition score of one out of five and described her as 'skin and bone'. The court heard how Inspector Dowling obtained a search warrant the following morning, on April 10, and returned to Asgard Close accompanied by gardaí. Contact was made with the defendant, and it was established that she and the Retriever pup Romeo were at her sister's home. Therefore, the officials went to that address and the second dog was seized. Inspector Dowling said that the pup's belly appeared swollen, and he formed the opinion that he had been fed a lot since the previous day. He said the pup vomited during the journey to the vets, producing a large volume of barely digested dog food. The court heard that during the veterinary examination, Romeo was found to weigh 13.5kg, while the vet records showed that he had lost 2.9kg in the previous 11 weeks despite being a growing pup. The vet noted muscle wastage on the back legs of the dog, and said that the dog should weigh over 20kg, describing him as 'skin and bone'. Mr Dowling told of how he later conducted an interview under caution with the defendant, during which she offered no real explanation for the condition of the dogs. She claimed that Sky was a picky eater and acknowledged that she had noticed they were losing weight, but claimed not to think it was as severe as it was. The court heard that both dogs increased in weight over the following three weeks without any medical treatment. Sky almost doubled in weight, increasing from 7.5kg back to her previous weight of 14.8kg, and Romeo gained 25pc of his initial weight, from 13.5kg to 18kg. Both dogs recovered fully and were later surrendered and rehomed. Under cross-examination, Inspector Dowling confirmed that, other than the poor physical condition, there were no other signs of neglect or abuse. When asked by Judge David Kennedy whether the dog's coats were dirty, suggesting that they had been living in a poor environment, the inspector told the Judge that that was not the case. In mitigation, the defendant's history of depression and anxiety disorders was highlighted, as well as her difficult upbringing. The court heard that she 'panicked' when the ISPCA inspector arrived and that she was 'sorry for her behaviour'. On passing sentence, Judge Kennedy wondered 'how it got so bad' and said that he would have thought that the defendant's family "would have been some guidance'. Mr Dowling said that the "poor physical condition of Sky in particular was really concerning". "For a dog to be half of its ideal body weight is exceptional. I'm relieved that I got there in time because I'm not sure how much longer she would have gone on for," he said. "Romeo's future development could have been severely compromised from being deprived of nutrition at such a young age. "Thankfully, due to the wonderful work of our animal care staff, both have recovered fully and are enjoying life in their new homes," he added.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man and woman jailed after dog found dead in yard with plastic in stomach
A man and a woman have pleaded guilty to number of animal neglect charges at Navan District Court. On July 18, 2025, Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty with an address at 20 Oaklawns, Clogherboy Park, Navan, Co Meath pleaded guilty to six offences each under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The charges related to two emaciated dogs, one of which died, due to its neglect. The court heard evidence that ISPCA Inspector James McCormack called to the defendants' address on February 26, 2024, in response to a report received. He saw two dogs in the back garden, both of which were in poor condition and one of which was already deceased and lying by the back door. There was no food, water or shelter available, and there was a black discharge from the dead dog's rear. The Inspector spoke to Horace and Rafferty under caution, and they admitted joint ownership of the dead dog, a long-haired Terrier that had been named Bruno. Ms Rafferty claimed ownership of the other dog, a Collie pup called Sheba. They conceded that the dogs had not been checked since the previous day, although it was lunchtime when the Inspector called, and they were not aware that Bruno had died. There was dog food and a bowl of water inside the house, but the dogs did not have access to them. The two dogs were removed for veterinary assessment, and both were found to be extremely underweight with body condition scores of just one out of nine. Their bones were prominent, and the stomach of the deceased dog was found to be empty other than for sharp pieces of plastic and dark black digestive juices. Their conditions were attributed to starvation. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The court was furnished with photographs taken by Inspector McCormack and heard that there was clear evidence that the two canines had been neglected, in total disregard as to their health and welfare, and exposed to unnecessary suffering over a prolonged period of time. It was also revealed that the two accused were offered the opportunity to take part in a formal interview but refused, stating that they were "too busy". Ms. Justice Eirinn McKiernan decided that the only appropriate sentence for the offences was a custodial sentence and sentenced both defendants to imprisonment for a term of two months on one offence with all other charges taken into consideration. She refused requests from Ms Rafferty's defence solicitor to suspend her sentence, even temporarily. Judge McKiernan also made two disqualification orders banning both Mr. Horace and Ms. Rafferty from owning, having any interest in, keeping, dealing in or having charge or control, directly or indirectly, of an animal, for life. Sheba the collie cross. (Image: Irish Mirror) Reflecting on the case, Inspector McCormack commented: "It was shocking to find Bruno dead in the yard, lying against the back door. His only hope was the occupants of the house, and they never came. Instead, he died in the yard from starvation, with only plastic in his stomach. He was failed utterly - a loyal companion left in the yard like unwanted trash'. He added: 'Sheba the pup was lucky that the call was made. Although very underweight, she got out in time, recovered fully, and now lives in a loving home. Sheba got a chance that her companion did not. I would encourage anyone to report any incidents of cruelty. We are there to help, sometimes the only voice they have." The ISPCA urges the public to continue reporting any suspicions of animal cruelty or neglect to its National Animal Cruelty Helpline by calling 0818 515 515, email helpline@ or report online here: If you can, please support the ISPCA by making a life-saving donation today to help rescue more animals from appalling situations just like this one: Get all the big crime and court stories direct to your phone on our new WhatsApp service. Sign up here.
Sunday World
11-07-2025
- Sunday World
Dog breeder avoids jail on appeal of three-month sentence in animal neglect case
COMMUNITY SERVICE | Vasyl Fedoryn (41), a Ukrainian man with Irish citizenship, living at Ballypierce, Charleville, had pleaded guilty earlier this year at Mallow District Court to a total of nine breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 on April 21, 2023, in relation to 13 dogs he was breeding at his home. Vasyl Fedoryn (41), a Ukrainian man with Irish citizenship, living at Ballypierce, Charleville, had pleaded guilty earlier this year at Mallow District Court to a total of nine breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 on April 21, 2023, in relation to 13 dogs he was breeding at his home. Judge Colm Roberts sentenced Fedoryn to five months in jail with two months suspended, fined him €500, ordered him to pay costs of €16,450 to the ISPCA to cover the veterinary and dental costs as well as vaccination and grooming costs while he also ordered him to pay the Dept's legal costs of €3,000. But Fedoryn, represented by Charleville solicitor, Denis Linehan lodged an appeal against the custodial part of the sentence and the case came up for hearing last week before Judge Helen Boyle at Mallow Circuit Appeal, sitting at the Anglesea Street Courthouse in Cork. ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector, Caroline Faherty told the court how the dogs she found in two sheds on Fedoryn's property were the worst she had ever encountered with the animals being kept in the dark with no light and no bedding and being forced to lie in their own faeces. Ms Faherty said she found a German Shepherd bitch and four pups in one shed where they had no water and when she filled a bowl with water, the bitch, who was lactating, was so dehydrated she started gulping the water down at such a rate she had to remove the bowl in case she became ill. The matted state of one of the dogs rescued from the property. Animal Welfare Inspect Caroline Faherty said it was the 'worst' case of animal neglect she had ever encountered in her career. She was commended by the judge for having saved the dogs from what would likely have been a slow and painful death. News in 90 Seconds - July 11th She found three German Shepherd pups and five Collie pups in another shed with no light, no bedding and their coats matted from lying in their own excrement, while the lack of stimulation had resulted in the Collies being so nervous that they tried to bite her and were feral. 'It was absolutely horrific the state that I found the dogs in – I still have nightmares of going into the shed,' said Ms Faherty, adding the three German Shepherd pups could not walk properly and were instead walking on their back knees as they were malnourished and had no leg-muscle mass. Ms Faherty became upset as she described the state of the animals and conditions that she found them in and said such was the stench of urine and faeces, she found herself retching and had to leave the shed several times to get air. She wrote up a seizure notice on the spot and she and her colleagues in the ISPCA removed the dogs from both sheds but three of the Collie pups were so feral they could not be rehabilitated and had to be euthanized while one of the German Shepherds also had to be euthanized. Collies and German shepherds were intelligent working dogs and needed to be exercised and socialised, but Fedoryn's dogs were left locked up in small sheds without regular food or water and became emaciated and their coats became matted with faeces and infested with maggots. What made the situation even more distressing was the fact there was plenty of bedding and food for the dogs on the property, but Fedoryn had given neither to the animals. 'I asked him why he hadn't, and he said he was going to do this, that and the other for the dogs but he didn't.' Ms Faherty said that Fedoryn saw nothing wrong with the way he was treating the dogs and was 'completely unrepentant' about his care of them and he later breached an undertaking not to keep any animals at his holding when she found that he had begun keeping cats there. Defence barrister, Paula McCarthy BL said her client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, had no previous convictions and had been of good behaviour since while she pointed out he was not appealing the €500 fine, dog rehabilitation costs of €16,450 and legal costs of €3,000. Ms McCarthy acknowledged her client had not appreciated the seriousness of the matter when it was first brought to his attention, but he now accepted the gravity of his offending and was remorseful while she pointed out a probation report found he was at a low risk of re-offending. She said that he was working full time as a truck driver and if he were to get a custodial sentence, he would lose his job and that would have repercussions for his young son for although he and his wife were separated, he was supporting his son financially. Ms McCarthy also submitted that the courts had acknowledged that custodial sentences can be more difficult for foreign nationals than for Irish people as they don't have the same family support in terms of visits as she pleaded with Judge Boyle not to jail him. Judge Boyle said she needed time to consider the matter and remanded Fedoryn in custody over lunch to consider the matter and when she returned, she said she hoped that he appreciated what being in custody was like. 'You have spent some time in a prison cell. I felt I had to show you the inside of a prison cell because of what you did,' said Judge Boyle before allowing the appeal and suspending the full five-month sentence on condition he completes 240 hours community service. Judge Boyle singled out Ms Faherty for praise, saying that if it was not for her work and her decision to remove the dogs, she had no doubt but that all 13 dogs and puppies belonging to Fedoryn at his property would have died. 'Ms Faherty is to be commended for saving the lives of these dogs – some had to be euthanised later, but a veterinary inspector was of the opinion that they would all have died and died a slow painful death from neglect if Ms Faherty had not removed them. 'Dogs obviously need to be fed and watered, but they also need to be exercised and stimulated, and they need love and care and attention, and they got none of these under your care,' Judge Boyle told Fedoryn as she allowed his appeal.
