This week’s conviction of a Cork couple for keeping around 70 dogs in “appalling conditions” is a stark reminder to anyone thinking about buying a puppy to consider where they are coming from, the ISPCA has warned.

Husband and wife William and Eleanor Sheehy, with an address at Grange More, Timoleague, co. Cork, were both yesterday handed five-month suspended sentences at Bandon District Court.

The couple had kept 50 dogs and more than 20 puppies on their property, all of which were found to be living in ‘appalling conditions’.

ISPCA case photos. 8/11/24

ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector Caroline Faherty told Newstalk that when she inspected the property in March of last year, she found “faeces everywhere” – with many of dogs malnourished and suffering from other health issues including conjunctivitis, alopecia, ear infections, and matted coats.

“The kennels were actually a pigsty,” she said.

“Concrete is cold and damp and wet, and if it gets wet, it almost retains it.

“The dogs had an outer part of the kennel, but they had no heating or anything.

“So, if it's wet, they can't get dry – they had no bedding to dry themselves off, they had no heating to dry themselves off.

“They had nowhere dry and comfortable to lie down, to help dry themselves off.”

ISPCA case photos. 8/11/24.

Inspector Faherty said one female Newfoundland dog’s coat was so matted that it had become hard like cement.

When the coat was removed, the dog was found to be virtually skeletal.

She said people should be extremely cautious when buying from breeders and should always consider adopting a dog instead.

“The phrase ‘puppy farm’ gets bandied around so much because that that's exactly what's being done to animals,” she said.

“The dogs are being farmed; they're not being looked after.

“Puppies are being bred into a domestic market, but the first few weeks of a puppy's life are really, really important for socialization.

“Anyone that's buying these little Cockapoos, Cavapoos and Cavachons nowadays – they all come from puppy farms.”

ISPCA case photos 8/11/24

The ISPCA has reminded potential buyers to beware of the pitfalls of responding to online advertisements for puppies and other pets and to ensure that they ask the right questions to avoid falling victim to rogue puppy breeders.

William and Eleanor Sheehywere each fined €6,000 and ordered to pay almost €13,000 in ISPCA costs.

The pair also received a lifetime ban from owning or breeding dogs.