Vet barred from keeping dogs after Irish Terriers found 'living in filth'

A qualified veterinary surgeon was disqualified from keeping dogs after his 10 show dogs were found living among "mounds of faeces" in a "dark shed" and "dirty pens."

Michael O’Reilly from Co Cork admitted seven charges under the Animal and Welfare Act 2013, including one of obstructing, interfering or impeding an authorised officer in the course of their duty.

ISPCA Inspector Caroline Faherty told the Midleton District Court Midletown that when she first visited kennels belonging to Mr O'Reilly she found 10 dogs living in "mounds of faeces and soiled shredded paper surrounding the sheds in which there were holes due to a rodent infestation."

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The dogs were observed to be living in filthy conditions surrounded by faeces, some with mould, indicating that it had been there for a considerable time - and an "overpowering smell of ammonia."

The court heard that the dogs’ coats were matted and heavily contaminated with faeces, and one had hair loss. The terriers had no clean area to rest or lie down in. Food and water bowls were also contaminated with excrement and, while some dogs had access to dirty water, others had no water.

Inspector Faherty also told the court she had been concerned about the temperaments of the dog and said some of them showed signs of “fear-aggression”, suggesting they had not been properly socialised.

Inspector Faherty said she left a notice at an adjacent cottage and received no response.

Ms Faherty returned on May 5, 2023 with a dog warden and saw no improvement. Another visit was conducted by Inspector Faherty three days later, this time accompanied by dog wardens and a Cork County Council Veterinary Inspector.

It was agreed by all that the dogs should be removed from the circumstances in which they were housed. The court heard that when Mr O’Reilly was contacted and arrived at the scene, he was “argumentative”, “agitated and adversarial”.

Inspector Faherty said Mr O’Reilly was dismissive of her concerns saying that there was nothing wrong with how his dogs were kept, and that, as a Veterinary Inspector, he 'knew more than her.'

Judge Colm Roberts said that the nature of the offences was aggravated by Mr O'Reilly's "standing in society and his profession”.

Judge Roberts also said that he took judicial notice of the fact that Mr O’Reilly refused to take the stand and refused to be cross-examined.

The court heard that Mr O’Reilly is a qualified Veterinary Surgeon and Department of Agriculture Vet Inspector. ISPCA Inspectors carried out inspections of Mr O’Reilly’s dog kennels at Killamuckey, Mogeely, Castlemartyr in May 2023.

Defence solicitor Joe Cuddigan acting on behalf of the accused, told the court that his client was under stress at the time of the inspections because his father had been hospitalised. He also said that Mr O’Reilly was not a dog breeder but kept show dogs at Killamuckey, Mogeely, Castlemartyr.

Judge Roberts imposed a three-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and disqualified the accused from keeping dogs for seven years. He also fined O’Reilly €4,000 and ordered that he pay €5,000 toward prosecution costs.

Judge Roberts instructed that Mr O’Reilly is to engage with the Probation and Welfare Services and attend all appointments and courses. He also suggested that O’Reilly could benefit from completing an animal welfare course and some stress management.

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