Dog had to have leg amputated after ‘remorseless' owner failed to get it treated

Sunday World

01-05-2025

Pat Fouhy has now been banned from keeping dogs for five years
A 'remorseless' man has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after his dog had to have its leg amputated following his neglect.
Pat Fouhy (78) of Ballydaw, Castlelyons, Co. Cork was convicted of animal cruelty and obstructing authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 at Fermoy District Court last week.
He was fined €3,000 and disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.
At a previous court hearing in September 2024, ISPCA Inspector Caroline Faherty said she initially visited Fouhy's property while responding to a report of concern about horses on the surrounding lands.
She heard a dog crying out in pain, and found a young black Labrador dog limping on its right front leg in the defendant's front garden.
The black Labrador's leg was very swollen, and he was distressed.
Faherty seized the dog and brought it to the vet, where an X-ray found that the dog's humerus bone was fractured into several fragments. The dog had suffered the injury several days prior.
The dog, who was named Dubh, then had to have his leg amputated.
When Faherty returned to the man's premises, accompanied by Gardaí, he confirmed he was the dog's owner. She told Fouhy of the dog's injury, to which he told her to 'put him to sleep' before subsequently surrendering the dog to the ISPCA.
The black labrador
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The court heard that during a later visit to the defendant's property by Inspector Faherty and a Garda, Mr. Fouhy was 'obstructive and abusive'.
Speaking to the court in his own defence, Fouhy said that Inspector Faherty 'should not have entered his property' and claimed to be an innocent man.
At sentencing, Judge Roberts said that he had given Mr Fouhy the 'benefit of reflection' and change by requesting a probation report, but said he didn't 'find any remorse'.
Following the case, Inspector Faherty said that if any animal is injured, it's their owner's responsibility to 'ensure it gets the necessary vet treatment and is not allowed to suffer.'
'It is important that Mr Fouhy's obstructive behaviour was included in this prosecution,' she added.
'This is a difficult job in many ways and people need to be aware that, if you obstruct an authorised officer from doing their job, there can be consequences."
You can report any suspicions of animal cruelty, neglect or abuse to their confidential National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, online, or by emailing [e-mail]