A Garda raid on a puppy farm near the Border village of Clontibret led to the discovery of 118 dogs and pups being kept in dirty, non-ventilated and cramped conditions, a court heard yesterday.
Séamus McQuaid and Margaret McQuaid, Arclintagh, Clontibret, pleaded guilty at Ballybay District Court, Co Monaghan, to a number of charges of failing to keep the animals in proper conditions.
Charges of cruelly ill-treating the animals were struck out by the State after defence lawyer Gerry Jones entered pleas of guilty on their behalf to the lesser offences.
After evidence, Judge Flann Brennan adjourned the case until a further sitting next February to give the defendants an opportunity to complete improvements for the accommodation of a lesser number of dogs at the farm.
Garda Insp Fintan McTiernan, prosecuting, said the couple were involved in a business rearing dogs for sale and the case followed inspections by gardaí, a senior veterinary officer, a local authority dog warden and the Monaghan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
He said it was established from an inspection on May 5th last that there was serious overcrowding of dogs at the farm and the animals were being kept in unsuitable conditions.
During one visit to the establishment it was discovered the couple had 47 female animals, 25 male dogs and 46 pups. The garda said it was the opinion of the veterinary officer during a subsequent inspection that the couple were keeping too many dogs.
Mr Jones said the McQuaids had carried out major improvements since the offences came to light and were reducing the number of dogs at the premises, but this could not be done overnight.
He asked the judge to adjourn the case to next February.