A dog that was so neglected the animal was mistaken for a "tiny piglet" has finally been saved as its owner is banned from owning animals for 10 years - but two dogs still remain in her possession.
Michelle Conolly, from Co. Tipperary, Ireland, appeared in Nenagh District Court, on May 12 where she pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) 2013.
ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector Emma Carroll visited Connolly's home in February 2019, where she discovered multiple dogs, including three kept in a small cage behind a trailer.
Milly, Dolce and Adam, two Maltese breeds and a poodle, were in extremely poor conditions, malnourished and with skin conditions – including one dog’s skin having been left redraw.
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Another was underweight with matted hair and a discharge, and a third dog had no hair on its tail.
The inspector remarked the tiny poodle was so bare it “looked like a little piglet”.
Connolly, who was described as "hostile and uncooperative", initially denied that she knew anything about these dogs.
She demanded the inspector "leave immediately", at one point even threatening to close the electric gate to the property with Carroll still inside.
The dogs were seized and transported to a nearby veterinary practitioner for assessment and later brought into the ISPCA for care and rehabilitation.
Connolly made contact with the animal welfare charity a month later, claiming the dogs were hers and seeking their return – despite the mistreatment they had suffered.
The animals were detained for three years during legal proceedings, as the court heard that the ISPCA had incurred very substantial costs in boarding the animals but was willing to accept a reduced rate.
Despite the guilty plea, Connolly was still seeking the return of the three dogs.
Her solicitor, Donal Smyth, suggested that forfeiture of the animals would be “severe for a first offence”.
However, Judge Elizabeth McGrath disagreed, saying “I don’t want the three dogs to be traumatised”.
“These three dogs suffered unnecessarily without adequate feeding or a proper level of routine care," said inspector Carroll.
"The owner responsible for them failed to do anything to alleviate their suffering, or safeguard their welfare, which resulted in many issues, including malnourishment and untreated skin conditions.
"There is no excuse for animal cruelty and as a result the owner has a criminal conviction for animal cruelty”.
Connolly was fined €2,000 and the judge said she would accept an offer of €5,000 in compensation in lieu of awarding costs against the defendant.
The dogs went to the ISPCA and Connolly has been disqualified from owning, keeping or breeding any dog for 10 years, other than the two Great Danes already in her possession.
The judge fixed recognizance in Connolly’s own bond of €250.
Inspector Carroll added: “It was a long process bringing this case to completion and unfortunately Milly, Dolce and Adam had to be detained throughout.
"This meant that they couldn’t be placed in permanent homes.
"But we are so delighted that their futures are now secured and they can look forward to a brighter future in loving new homes”.
