Pat Edwards of Deise Animal Sanctuary appeared before Clonmel District Court was also disqualified from owning animals for 20 years.
Department of Agriculture Vets and ISPCA officers visited the Deise Animal Sanctuary in Ballymacarbry near Clonmel in February of 2023.
Serious and significant ongoing animal welfare problems were observed in all areas of the holding while there was debris, rubbish, building materials and hazards posing a significant risk to the health and welfare of the animals on site.
A total of 32 animals were surrendered to the ISPCA including a Harris hawk with a brass ring embedded in the skin of its leg, a number of buzzards with long-standing injuries, and a pigeon with an open fracture to its wing, along with puppies with coats contaminated with faecal matter, cats with extensive matting, and a variety of other animals, both wild and domestic.
The pigeon and five buzzards were euthanised on humane grounds.
Despite warnings, further inspections showed repeated violations, including the continued confinement of a fox named Shadow in a barren pen for six years.
Pat Edwards pleaded guilty to the animal welfare issues as well as failing to properly microchip dogs.
Judge Brian O’Shea called the sanctuary a “house of horrors,” condemning the neglect as “shameful” and “egregious.” He imposed two prison sentences of four months, to run consecutively, disqualified Ms. Edwards from owning all animals for 20 years, and fined her €1,500.
An appeal against the severity of the sentence was lodged after the hearing.
