Latest news with #IrishSocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoAnimals
Agriland
31-07-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Ispca Campaign Raises Over E20000 for Flea and Worm Awareness
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has extended its gratitude to Chanelle Pharma, who supported a recent campaign which raised €23,439. The ISPCA announced its first ever Flea and Worm Awareness campaign earlier this year, which ran throughout the entire month of April (2025). This initiative, in partnership with Chanelle Pharma, aimed to highlight the importance of regular flea and worm treatments for pets. As part of the campaign, an in-store promotion ran across all major pet stores nationwide, and for every pack of FleawayPlus and Wormaway purchased, Chanelle Pharma donated 50c to the ISPCA. The head of the national animal centre, Cillian Costigan believes that parasite control is important for pets, and that preventative healthcare is crucial. He said: "We often see rescued animals being admitted from our inspectors suffering from parasite infestation leading to all kinds of health problems, which could have been prevented. "This partnership has helped us take a significant step forward in highlighting the importance of worm and flea treatments, and this collaboration is a shining example of what is possible when the corporate and non-profit sectors come together with a shared purpose," Costigan added. The funds raised from the campaign directly support the ISPCA's rescue and rehabilitation work, helping more animals in need. The head of animal health Ireland at Chanelle Pharma, Russell Good said: "At Chanelle Pharma, we're committed to improving the lives of animals - and the people who care for them. That's why we were proud to partner with the ISPCA as a Platinum Sponsor for the Wormaway and FleawayPlus campaign. Together, we raised awareness about parasite prevention and made a meaningful contribution to support the ISPCA's vital work. "This partnership shows the powerful impact of trusted products and shared values working toward a common goal,' Good added. The ISPCA said that it looks forward to continuing the partnership, and working together on future initiatives that drive positive change for animal welfare.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It made my eyes burn.' Dentist avoids jail over "appalling" animal cruelty case
A dentist has been given a suspended prison sentence of four and a half years and a lifetime ban on owning animals after what a judge described as 'one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect' he had ever come across. Karen Saunderson, 68, who comes originally from Liverpool with an address in England, pleaded guilty to ten offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 over the condition in which a large number of animals were discovered at the rental property where she lived at Templelusk, Avoca, Co Wicklow on November 19, 2016. The charges related to causing unnecessary suffering, feeding, neglect and a failure to safeguard the health and welfare of animals. Lawyers for Mr Saunderson – who is also known as Sanderson – claimed her property was used 'as a drop-off point for certain unwanted animals'. A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday heard an animal welfare inspector and Gardaí who visited the living area of the property complained that their eyes were burning from the smell of ammonia from the urine of the animals. A total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar were found on the property when it was visited by the chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Conor Dowling. The inspector gave evidence that an overweight pig which was found squealing and lying on its side in a filthy stable had to be put down later that day to prevent it from further suffering. Mr Dowling said the animal was unable to get to its feet, had overgrown hooves and no water. He described a terrible stench from other stables, where he found 12 dogs living in muck and faeces with no water with some of the animals obviously 'stressed'. One Mastiff who had a withered leg had to be euthanised a week later. Mr Dowling said a German Shepherd, who was discovered to be pregnant, gave birth to a litter of nine pups the following week. Some were deformed and none survived. However, most of the other dogs and all the horses were successfully rehomed. Mr Dowling told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that he sought assistance from Gardaí because of the scale of what he encountered. He outlined how dogs spilled out of the living area of a loft building when the door was opened. The court heard a total of 31 dogs, ranging from small puppies to giant breeds, were found in the loft with dog faeces everywhere. 'It was a stressful and chaotic environment,' said Mr Dowling, who believed that a large pool of liquid on the floor was urine from the dogs. 'I could not breathe and it made my eyes burn,' he recalled. A video recording of the scene showed the accused tried to claim the dogs had only urinated when inspectors had knocked on the door. Mr Dowling said the accused claimed she walked 30 dogs every day but he said the evidence indicated otherwise as many of the animals had overgrown claws. He said one Mastiff had chronic arthritis and could not even make its own way downstairs, while a spaniel could not walk as it had not properly recovered from an old injury. Another dog had to have a toe amputated as it had been gnawing at an exposed bone. Mr Dowling said he did not believe Ms Saunderson was keeping animals commercially but he found it hard to explain the situation. The inspector said all the horses were underweight and suffering from rain scald and mud fever. He told Judge Patrick Quinn that a decision was taken to remove most of the animals, although the accused was allowed to keep some dogs to whom she was particularly attached. The judge questioned how the situation was allowed to develop that both the defendant and her animals were living in such appalling conditions and squalor without it being reported to the authorities. 'Somebody must have known,' he observed. Mr Dowling replied that he had visited the property on the basis of a 'quite vague' report that gave no sense of the scale of what he subsequently discovered. He pointed out that a vet who called to the property had never been beyond the yard. However, he remarked that someone passing on the quiet road beside the property could have seen the horses in the field and realised there might be an animal welfare issue. Mr Dowling said the costs in the case were calculated at €12,229 but he believed the true figure was a multiple of that figure. Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Eanna Mulloy SC, the inspector said he was unaware about Ms Saunderson's claim that she was not the owner of all the animals or that she had issues with her landlord about sewage problems on the property. Mr Dowling said he was also unfamiliar that she was meant to be minding animals for a member of the Traveller community. The court heard Ms Saunderson had moved to Ireland in financially-strained circumstances for a number of years on a 'career break' while she was the subject of a long-running regulatory matter with the General Dental Council in the UK. Mr Kelly noted that her guilty pleas were only entered in January 2025 to offences committed over eight years ago after she had submitted reports over the intervening years that she was unfit to go on trial. Mr Mulloy said Ms Saunderson had a difficult family background and was someone who was 'easily exploited'. He said the kernel of the problem was that his client was a woman who had a soft spot for animals who could not cope with the number she had accumulated but there was a low risk of her re-offending. Sentencing Ms Saunderson to four and a half years in prison and ordering her to pay costs of €15,000, Judge Quinn said it was obvious both she and her animals were neglected and living in 'absolute squalor'. The judge observed he had come across a few other similar cases where someone with a love of animals became overwhelmed by the number of animals they acquired over time. He claimed it was irrelevant that she might have been exploited by others. The judge accepted her neglect was not intentional but due to her own declining mental state. Ms Saunderson sobbed audibly as she heard the sentence would be fully suspended. Addressing the judge, she remarked: 'Thank you very much. I really am so very sorry.'
Sunday World
29-05-2025
- Sunday World
Dentist avoids jail after admitting to ‘most appalling' case of animal neglect
A total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar were found on the property of Karen Saunderson (68) when it was visited by the chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals A dentist has been given a suspended prison sentence of four and a half years and a lifetime ban on owning animals after what a judge described as 'one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect' he had ever come across. Karen Saunderson (68) who comes originally from Liverpool with an address in England, pleaded guilty to ten offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 over the condition in which a large number of animals were discovered at the rental property where she lived at Templelusk, Avoca, Co Wicklow on November 19, 2016. The charges related to causing unnecessary suffering, feeding, neglect and a failure to safeguard the health and welfare of animals. Lawyers for Mr Saunderson – who is also known as Sanderson – claimed her property was used 'as a drop-off point for certain unwanted animals.' A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday heard an animal welfare inspector and gardaí who visited the living area of the property complained that their eyes were burning from the smell of ammonia from the urine of the animals. Pic Collins Courts News in 90 Seconds - May 29th A total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar were found on the property when it was visited by the chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Conor Dowling. The inspector gave evidence that an overweight pig which was found squealing and lying on its side in a filthy stable had to be put down later that day to prevent it from further suffering. Mr Dowling said the animal was unable to get to its feet, had overgrown hooves and no water. He described a terrible stench from other stables where he found 12 dogs living in muck and faeces with no water with some of the animals obviously 'stressed.' One Mastiff who had a withered leg had to be euthanised a week later. Pic: Collins Courts Mr Dowling said a German Shepherd, who was discovered to be pregnant, gave birth to a litter of nine pups the following week. Some were deformed and none survived. However, most of the other dogs and all the horses were successfully rehomed. Mr Dowling told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that he sought assistance from gardaí because of the scale of what he encountered. He outlined how dogs spilled out of the living area of a loft building when the door was opened. The court heard a total of 31 dogs, ranging from small puppies to giant breeds, were found in the loft with dog faeces everywhere. 'It was a stressful and chaotic environment,' said Mr Dowling who believed that a large pool of liquid on the floor was urine from the dogs. 'I could not breathe and it made my eyes burn,' he recalled. A video recording of the scene showed the accused tried to claim the dogs had only urinated when inspectors had knocked on the door. Mr Dowling said the accused claimed she walked 30 dogs every day but he said the evidence indicated otherwise as many of the animals had overgrown claws. He said one Mastiff had chronic arthritis and could not even make its own way downstairs, while a spaniel could not walk as it had not properly recovered from an old injury. Another dog had to have a toe amputated as it had been gnawing at an exposed bone. Mr Dowling said he did not believe Ms Saunderson was keeping animals commercially but he found it hard to explain the situation. The inspector said all the horses were underweight and suffering from rain scald and mud fever. He told Judge Patrick Quinn that a decision was taken to remove most of the animals although the accused was allowed to keep some dogs to whom she was particularly attached. Pic Collins Courts The judge questioned how the situation was allowed to develop that both the defendant and her animals were living in such appalling conditions and squalor without it being reported to the authorities. 'Somebody must have known,' he observed. Mr Dowling replied that he had visited the property on the basis of a 'quite vague' report that gave no sense of the scale of what he subsequently discovered. He pointed out that a vet who called to the property had never been beyond the yard. However, he remarked that someone passing on the quiet road beside the property could have seen the horses in the field and realised there might be an animal welfare issue. Mr Dowling said the costs in the case were calculated at €12,229 but he believed the true figure was a multiple of that figure. Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Eanna Mulloy SC, the inspector said he was unaware about Ms Saunderson's claim that she was not the owner of all the animals or that she had issues with her landlord about sewage problems on the property. Mr Dowling said he was also unfamiliar that she was meant to be minding animals for a member of the Traveller community. The court heard Ms Saunderson had moved to Ireland in financially strained circumstances for a number of years on a 'career break' while she was the subject of a long-running regulatory matter with the General Dental Council in the UK. Mr Kelly noted that her guilty pleas were only entered in January 2025 to offences committed over eight years ago after she had submitted reports over the intervening years that she was unfit to go on trial. Mr Mulloy said Ms Saunderson had a difficult family background and was someone who was 'easily exploited.' He said the kernel of the problem was that his client was a woman who had a soft spot for animals who could not cope with the number she had accumulated but there was a low risk of her re-offending. Sentencing Ms Saunderson to four and a half years in prison and ordering her to pay costs of €15,000, Judge Quinn said it was obvious both she and her animals were neglected and living in 'absolute squalor.' The judge observed he had come across a few other similar cases where someone with a love of animals became overwhelmed by the number of animals they acquired over time. He claimed it was irrelevant that she might have been exploited by others. The judge accepted her neglect was not intentional but due to her own declining mental state. Ms Saunderson sobbed audibly as she heard the sentence would be fully suspended. Addressing the judge, she remarked: 'Thank you very much. I really am so very sorry.'
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Lifetime ban for woman after 'appalling' animal neglect
A dentist has been given a suspended prison sentence of four-and-a-half years, and a lifetime ban on owning animals, after what a judge described as "one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect" he had ever come across. Karen Saunderson, 68, who originally comes from Liverpool and has an address in England, pleaded guilty to ten offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 over the condition in which a large number of animals were discovered at the rental property where she lived at Templelusk, Avoca, Co Wicklow on 19 November 2016. The charges related to causing unnecessary suffering, feeding, neglect and a failure to safeguard the health and welfare of animals. Lawyers for Ms Saunderson - who is also known as Sanderson - claimed her property was used "as a drop-off point for certain unwanted animals". A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court heard an animal welfare inspector and gardaí who visited the living area of the property complained that their eyes were burning from the smell of ammonia from the urine of the animals. A total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar were found on the property when it was visited by the chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Conor Dowling. The inspector gave evidence that an overweight pig, which was found squealing and lying on its side in a filthy stable, had to be put down later that day to prevent it from further suffering. Mr Dowling said the animal was unable to get to its feet, had overgrown hooves and no water. He described a terrible stench from other stables where he found 12 dogs living in muck and faeces with no water with some of the animals obviously "stressed". One mastiff, who had a withered leg, had to be euthanised a week later. Mr Dowling said a German Shepherd, who was discovered to be pregnant, gave birth to a litter of nine pups the following week. Some were deformed and none survived. However, most of the other dogs and all the horses were successfully rehomed. Mr Dowling told counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, James Kelly BL, that he sought assistance from gardaí because of the scale of what he encountered. He outlined how dogs spilled out of the living area of a loft building when the door was opened. The court heard a total of 31 dogs, ranging from small puppies to giant breeds, were found in the loft with dog faeces everywhere. "It was a stressful and chaotic environment," said Mr Dowling who believed that a large pool of liquid on the floor was urine from the dogs. "I could not breathe and it made my eyes burn," he recalled. A video recording of the scene showed the accused tried to claim the dogs had only urinated when inspectors had knocked on the door. Mr Dowling said the accused claimed she walked 30 dogs every day, but he said the evidence indicated otherwise as many of the animals had overgrown claws. He said one mastiff had chronic arthritis and could not even make its own way downstairs, while a spaniel could not walk as it had not properly recovered from an old injury. Another dog had to have a toe amputated as it had been gnawing at an exposed bone. Mr Dowling said he did not believe Ms Saunderson was keeping animals commercially, but he found it hard to explain the situation. The inspector said all the horses were underweight and suffering from rain scald and mud fever. He told Judge Patrick Quinn that a decision was taken to remove most of the animals, although the accused was allowed to keep some dogs to whom she was particularly attached. The judge questioned how the situation was allowed to develop that both the defendant and her animals were living in such appalling conditions and squalor without it being reported to the authorities. "Somebody must have known," he said. Mr Dowling replied that he had visited the property on the basis of a "quite vague" report that gave no sense of the scale of what he subsequently discovered. He pointed out that a vet who called to the property had never been beyond the yard. However, he remarked that someone passing on the quiet road beside the property could have seen the horses in the field and realised there might be an animal welfare issue. Mr Dowling said the costs in the case were calculated at €12,229 but he believed the true figure was a multiple of that figure. Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Eanna Mulloy SC, the inspector said he was unaware about Ms Saunderson's claim that she was not the owner of all the animals or that she had issues with her landlord about sewage problems on the property. Mr Dowling said he was also unfamiliar that she was meant to be minding animals for a member of the Traveller community. The court heard Ms Saunderson had moved to Ireland in financially strained circumstances for a number of years on a "career break" while she was the subject of a long-running regulatory matter with the General Dental Council in the UK. Mr Kelly noted that her guilty pleas were only entered in January 2025 to offences committed over eight years ago after she had submitted reports over the intervening years that she was unfit to go on trial. Mr Mulloy said Ms Saunderson had a difficult family background and was someone who was "easily exploited." He said the kernel of the problem was that his client was a woman who had a soft spot for animals, who could not cope with the number she had accumulated but there was a low risk of her re-offending. Sentencing Ms Saunderson to four-and-a-half years in prison and ordering her to pay costs of €15,000, Judge Quinn said it was obvious both she and her animals were neglected and living in "absolute squalor." The judge observed he had come across a few other similar cases where someone with a love of animals became overwhelmed by the number of animals they acquired over time. He claimed it was irrelevant that she might have been exploited by others. The judge accepted her neglect was not intentional but due to her own declining mental state. Ms Saunderson sobbed audibly as she heard the sentence would be fully suspended. Addressing the judge, she said: "Thank you very much. I really am so very sorry."
Irish Independent
14-05-2025
- Irish Independent
‘Heartbroken and horrified' – Garda probe launched as footage emerges of boys beating horses in Tipperary
Gardaí in Clonmel are investigating the footage which has been shared by animal welfare groups and others. It shows two to three boys apparently beating or whipping small horses or ponies in what is understood to be the Cashel road area of Clonmel. The groups have called on members of the public who witness such animal abuse to contact gardaí. Gardaí said they are aware of a video in circulation online and through direct messaging apps that depicts an incident of animal cruelty involving a horse, and which is alleged that it occurred at a location in Clonmel, Co Tipperary on Sunday, May 11. 'Efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the time and date cited in the video, however, our enquiries remain ongoing,' said a garda spokesperson. Gardaí and Inspectors from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) visited the location shown in the video on Tuesday afternoon, May 13, to search a number of acres of farmland. The welfare of all the animals present was checked and inspected. No alleged offences under the Animal and Welfare Act were identified during this search and there were no concerns for the welfare of the animals present. Enquiries are ongoing, added the spokesperson. Animal welfare groups have called on members of the public who witness such animal abuse to call local gardaí. On Monday, May 12, My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue said they were 'heartbroken and horrified by the footage of two ponies being viciously whipped in Clonmel just yesterday.' 'No animal should ever endure such cruelty. This is not an isolated case. We now have further witness statements and evidence pointing to ongoing abuse in the area – involving more than just horses. The incident has been reported to the gardaí. But we need your help to strengthen the case and push for real action. 'If you have any footage, photos, or information that can support justice, please send it to us as soon as possible. If you witness cruelty, record it only if safe to do so. Report it to the gardaí immediately. 'We are calling for immediate action. The time for change is now. We are their voices. We will not stop until justice is done,' added a spokesperson. Nearly 2,000 people have commented on the 19-second video clip shared by My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue. ADVERTISEMENT Independent Tipperary Cllr Liam Browne said he has spoken with gardaí, county council representatives and the ISPCA. 'All three agencies are dealing with the contents and I'm happy to allow them continue their investigations and to come to hopefully satisfactory conclusions,' said Cllr Browne. 'From my own point of view, this needs to be dealt with under a number of pieces of legislation, that is the Animal Welfare Act 2013 and the Control of Horses Act 1996. On a broader comment, I would absolutely condemn anyone who harms or abuses an animal in any way. Anyone. And any animal. 'There is no excuse for it, and personally if an investigation concludes an animal has been harmed, it should be taken, and those involved should never be allowed own or have animals again. 'This issue has arisen on a number of occasions both at district and plenary meetings of the council, and each time councillors have expressed the need for increased services to deal with animal welfare. I, and I am sure my fellow councillors, will continue to ask for these services. 'I also believe that national legislation should be changed to restrict the driving of sulkies by children. Currently it's illegal to drive an electric scooter or bike on the roads, by a person under 16 years of age, but we allow children no more than four or five to take charge of horses on busy roads. "This is a danger to the horses, road users and most importantly the children themselves. 'Culture' or 'tradition' or 'entitlement' should have no part in this conversation. It's about safety. 'National legislators need to grasp this nettle once and for all. It's time they did so. As for the current incident, please allow the proper authorities to complete their investigations,' added Cllr Browne.
