Helen Dunne with an address at Blackthorn Walk in Mullinahone appeared before a recent sitting of Clonmel District Court on a number of charges.
ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey gave evidence in court that when calling to the accused’s address in June last year she discovered a male Yorkshire Terrier dog in a small yard, which she could immediately see was in a disorientated state.
A closer examination revealed that there was a large open cavity on the right side of the dog’s face extending from the corner of his mouth to underneath his right eye.
The dog was immediately seized and brought for an urgent veterinary assessment where numerous live maggots were seen moving around in the eye socket.
Due to the severity of its condition and the degree of suffering it was enduring, the dog was humanely euthanised, on veterinary advice.
Ms Dunne later claimed that somebody had entered her property and attacked the dog, and that she had sought veterinary attention for it about six months before the ISPCA’s visit. Subsequent enquiries failed to find any record of such treatment.
In ruling, Judge Power said that he did not believe that Ms Dunne had consulted with a vet and described the neglect as appalling.
He imposed a three-month term of imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and fined her €500.00.
