'Malnourished and filthy' dogs on Mayo farm had to be taken into care
Judge Eoin Garavan said the defendant should have known better.
A farmer has been convicted of animal cruelty after five dogs were found in a malnourished and filthy state on his farm.
Gerard Grimes, aged 60, of Lanmore, Liscarney, Westport, admitted the offences when he appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
Gda Leanne Nallen told the court that the dog warden reported her concerns to Gardaí who attended Grimes’ farm on September 21, 2022. Four foxhounds named Rusty, Lady, Shrek, and Denny and a Springer Spaniel called Murty were being kept in a shed on short chains. There was faeces on their bedding and the skeletal remains of lamb carcasses were beside one of the dogs.
Gda Nallen said the dogs were malnourished and their nails were long. They had no food or water and were surrounded by rubbish. Plastic was found in their faeces as they had been eating the rubbish that was around them.
The dogs were seized. Three of them have since been rehomed but two have been euthanised.
Defending barrister Mark Ryan said his client admits he “took his eye off the ball” in relation to the care of the dogs. Grimes has been involved in farming all his life and has owned animals for the last 40 years. He previously worked in an animal health centre and also sold animal care products.
“He should have known better,” remarked Judge Eoin Garavan.
Mr Ryan said his client, who has no previous convictions, is deeply ashamed and his offences are considered particularly egregious in the farming circles he mixes in. He was willing to donate €1,000 to animal welfare charity and said he was prepared to cover the costs incurred in sheltering the dogs following their seizure.
“A good farmer is never cruel to his animals,” stated Judge Garavan who ordered the charity donation to be increased to €2,000 and paid to the Mayo branch of the ISPCA. Grimes also agreed to pay €3,825 for sheltering the dogs.
Judge Garavan banned him from owning any dogs other than those he needs to tend to his sheep and he can only have two sheepdog at any one time.
A 16-month suspended jail term was also imposed.
