Court Case: Video footage captured a man “physically abusing a husky dog” 

On 21st February 2024, the NSPCA received video evidence from a private security company showing prolonged physical and verbal abuse of a dog outside a residential apartment complex in Raheny, Dublin 5.

Following receipt of multiple recordings, the NSPCA obtained witness statements, and immediately began a formal investigation under the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013.

On 26th February 2024, a search warrant was granted by Dublin District Court, and the search was executed the following day by the NSPCA with the assistance of An Garda Síochána.

Two dogs, an adult Husky and a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier type puppy, were discovered at the property. Both animals were seized for their safety and brought to the NSPCA Dublin for medical and behavioural assessment.

A formal interview was later conducted by the NSPCA with the defendant, a male and father of one, during which he acknowledged ownership of both animals. When asked by NSPCA Inspector during the investigation; ‘Do you consider the manner in which you are handling the dog in the videos to be acceptable or appropriate?’ to which he answered ‘Yes, I am trying to instruct him’. 

The video evidence was examined in detail by NSPCA Head Dog Trainer and Behaviourist and a full report was submitted for the case.

In a Dublin District Court on Thursday 13th November Judge Anthony Halpin described the treatment meted out to the animal as being “at the high end of brutality.” 

“It is clear from the evidence I have before the court that the behaviour and conduct of the defendant was not only inexcusable but borders on depraved brutality,” he said.

NSPCA Inspector gave evidence saying “In the videos, the dog was extremely inappropriately handled; it was very rough, the dog was in a couple of the videos, crying, screaming, and it was very scared”.

Also giving evidence, NSPCA Head Dog Trainer and Behaviourist described how Simba had been displaying what was termed “learned helplessness” due to the abuse. More than a year’s work was spent helping to rehabilitate Simba, but the dog’s behaviour worsened, becoming “a bite risk to the upper body”, and had to be euthanised. The trainer explained to prosecutor Aodhán Peelo BL that the damage had already been done through neglect.

The defense asked the judge to view the guilty plea as a sign that the defendant showed insight and remorse. At the time of the offence, he had other problems which led him to alcohol and drug abuse, and he is very sorry.

Ms Maguire-Spencer told the court her client was already serving a sentence for another offence and will be released in about nine months, after which he intends to complete a dog-handling course, indicating his acceptance that his behaviour was wrong.

The accused’s barrister asked the judge to treat the incident as an isolated event during a difficult period in life, stressing he had grown up with dogs in his home and could care for them.

The prosecution emphasised that Simba had to be put down because of the abuse, and the judge acknowledged the costs incurred by the NSPCA, but it was not realistic that they could be recouped from the accused.

The defendant received a four-month suspended sentence for 2 years and Judge Halpin imposed a lifetime ban from owning animals; however, he ordered that it could be reviewed after five years.