A midlands judge has ordered the removal of 29 dogs from a puppy farm in Co Laois after its owner pleaded guilty to two charges under the 1911 Cruelty to Animals Act.
At Athy District Court, Judge Mary Martin said she would bar Liam Burke, who has premises at Loughglass and Ballyadams, near Ballylinan, Co Laois, from owning a dog for the rest of his life.She ordered that all the dogs be taken away by the ISPCA immediately.
Garda Brendan Shelly told the court Burke's barn at Loughglass was inspected by the ISPCA, the dog warden and a vet on February 5th last.
"The premises is a small mucky field. The barn had 10 makeshift pens. It was in an appalling state, and there was a smell of urine," he said.
On April 13th they also inspected a premises at Ballyadams. The court was told the standard was still very poor. They saw a nine-week-old Labrador puppy with a cut 3in wide and 3½in deep which had become infected.
Burke pleaded guilty to a charge of not providing basic care for two black Labradors and one terrier and not providing adequate medical care for the pup whose wound had become infected. A third charge was withdrawn because the court was told the defendant did have a licence to hold the dogs at Ballyadams.
The garda told Judge Martin that Burke had been breeding dogs for seven years.
"Why did you not get in the dog warden and ask him to take the dogs? Garda Shelly said you were warned on a number of occasions," she asked.
"It just got out of hand," replied Burke.
"You failed to protect them, mind them and care for them properly," she said.
Burke's solicitor said his client had asked another man to look after them because he was seriously ill with heart problems.
Judge Martin adjourned the case until January 11th and ordered Burke to pay €1,000 to cover the costs of the ISPCA investigation. She also ordered a probation report to be prepared.
"I am not making a destruction order for the dogs because the man has the right to appeal the decision," she said.