A woman has been given a lifetime ban on owning any dogs, after admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to a German Shepherd.
The woman, with an address in Waterford City, also admitted at Waterford District Court to failing to provide sufficient quantity of wholesome and uncontaminated drinking water.
She was convicted of two offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA) on May 20th.
The woman was also ordered to pay €1,665 in costs, including €557.58 in vet fees.
Image: ISPCAThe case originated from a complaint made to the ISPCA in May 2018 by a concerned member of the public about a dog kept in poor condition.
ISPCA Inspector Alice Lacey investigated the call to discover a 10-month-old male German Shepherd dog kept in the garden of the property in an emaciated condition.
He was missing hair from most areas of his body.
Inspector Lacey described how there was an overbearing odour coming from the dog's skin, due to a severe skin condition he was suffering from.
There was also no visible food or water bowls present.
Image: ISPCAUnder caution, the owner admitted that she had not sought veterinary treatment for the dog's skin condition and agreed to sign the dog over into the care of the ISPCA.
The dog, later called Rocco, was transported to nearby vets in Waterford City where he was urgently assessed and treated.
Rocco was suffering from severe sarcoptic mange, he had ear mites and a high temperature.
Once he was responding to treatment he was transferred to the Waterford SPCA for care and rehabilitation.
Inspector Lacey said: "It took several months of rehabilitation to treat Rocco for a skin condition that could have been prevented by regular parasite treatment.
Image: ISPCA"He is such a beautiful natured young dog and it was totally unacceptable to find him in this situation at such a young stage in his life.
"There is simply no excuse for failing to provide the very basic level of care which would have prevented unnecessary suffering".
Judge Kevin Staunton said: "To think this dog was only 10-months-old when taken in by the ISPCA.
"In the photos he looks like an elderly dog at the end of his life. This case is, in my opinion, on the upper scale of seriousness".
