Inspector Conlon described to the District Court how she found dogs kept in dirty damp kennels, the walls of which were covered in moss. She said that the smell of ammonia was overpowering, the floors of the kennels were covered in faeces, and there was no bedding for the dogs or any clean drinking water.  

She told how the defendant admitted under caution that the dogs were under his care and responsibility, but he was uncooperative, refusing to confirm exactly who owned which dogs and obstructing efforts to seize dogs, falsely claiming that his vet was on the way to the property. 

Two female Golden Retrievers in poor condition were seized, one of which was noticeably heavily pregnant but so weak that she could barely stand and had to be stretchered off the property. She was described as being “like a skeleton with a big tummy full of babies”. Both dogs were also extremely nervous.

The heavily pregnant Retriever, named Sally, produced eleven puppies the day after she was removed from the property. Sally was so underweight that she gained 6.8kgs over the following two weeks, whilst also feeding her puppies. The other dog, named Lulu, also gained 2.2kgs in the two weeks following her seizure. Both dogs and puppies thrived, were rehabilitated and responsibly rehomed with loving families where they are now loved and cared for.

At Carlow Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday 17th October 2025, Judge Mary Morrissey suspended the custodial sentence for 18 months, but said the defendant will serve the sentence if he comes to the attention of the NSPCA. The lifetime ban from keeping animals was upheld. The defendant produced €1000 for the NSPCA in court and was fined €1200 with two months to pay.