Dublin woman convicted of animal welfare charges after neglecting sick and emaciated Shih Tzu
A Dublin woman has been ordered to pay over €13,000 and banned from pet ownership for five years following her neglect of her sick and emaciated Shih Tzu, Charlie. Donna Kerrigan repeatedly failed to get medical attention for Charlie after a rope and chord became lodged in its stomach, causing blockages and “prolonged starvation”. The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) seized the dog on welfare grounds and found it to be underweight, weak and dehydrated. DSPCA veterinary surgeon Elise O’Flynn White revealed the dog had a bad odour from faecal matting and fresh diarrhoea, and its bones were visible. Its weight increased within a day of drinking water. During surgery, blockages were discovered, and the dog’s stomach was “completely blocked”. The vet said the dog was in pain and distress. Charlie has since recovered and weighs 11kg. Kerrigan was convicted of recklessness regarding the health or welfare of the dog and failing to protect and feed Charlie. Judge Anthony Halpin praised the DSPCA, imposing fines, and ordering Kerrigan to pay €11,580 toward the DSPCA costs within three months and ordered the forfeiture of the dog.
