Vet, Ashton dog pound owner and three staff to face trial on animal cruelty charges

A vet, a Dublin dog pound owner and three of the pound’s staff are to face trial on animal cruelty charges.

The prosecution follows a Garda investigation into the treatment and deaths of dogs at Ashton pound on the River Road, Castleknock in July of last year. The pound had operated a dog warden service for the greater Dublin area.

Five people were charged in recent weeks and their cases came before Dublin District Court for the first time on Friday.

Sydney Nagle (62), a veterinarian with an address at the Oaks, Hollystown, Dublin 15, was charged with possessing a controlled drug at the dog pound on July 14th, 2020, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another in contravention of the misuse of drugs regulations and laws.

Mr Nagle, of the Cara Veterinary Hospital in Ballycoolin, is also accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a fawn male Akita dog and to a white male bichon freise at the pound on July 24th last year contrary to section 12(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. He is also charged with causing and permitting another person to kill a protected animal there on the same date.

The vet is also accused of failing to keep records of purchases and sales, quantities administered, batch numbers and serial numbers of prescriptions on July 29th, 2020. He was also charged with permitting a person to be in possession of an animal remedy designated for use by a veterinary practitioner only.

Unnecessary suffering

David Stone, the owner of the pound, with an address at Hazelbrook, Loughlinstown, Ratoath, Co Meath, faces three charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. He is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the fawn male Akita and the white male bichon freise at the pound on July 24th last year. It is also alleged that he killed a protected animal or that he caused or permitted another person to kill a protected animal there on the same date.

Gordon Markey Quinn (22), from Nangle Court, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath; Tamara Philips (23), of Westway Rise, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; and Raymond Connolly (53), of Cladagh Green, Ballyfermot, Dublin, all face the same charges in relation to the Akita and bichon freise dogs as well as one for causing or permitting the killing of a protected animal on July 24th, 2020.

Mr Connolly faces an additional charge for obstructing investigating officer Garda Aine McQuillan at the dog pound four days later.

Sgt Paul Keane told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment. This means their cases will go before the Circuit Court, which, on conviction, has tougher sentencing powers.

There has been no indication as to how any of the accused will plead.

All five were ordered to appear before the court again on September 17th.