Couple kept 70 dogs in 'filthy' conditions, court told

A husband and wife who pleaded guilty to animal health and welfare charges kept 50 dogs and more than 20 pups in conditions described as filthy and stinking.

William and Eleanor Sheehy, of Grange More, Timoleague, Co Cork, were described in court as "dog lovers at heart".

They operated a dog breeding operation from an old piggery on their dairy farm.

There were faeces everywhere. Many of the dogs were underweight and had obvious health problems.

Their pens were wet inside and outside, and the temperature inside the puppy wing was colder than the outside ambient temperature.

The couple were before the District Court in Clonakilty, where they each pleaded guilty to six of nine charges brought against them by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

They will be sentenced on Thursday.

ISPCA Welfare Inspector Caroline Faherty visited the Sheehys' farm twice in March of last year, after a call was made to the society's helpline.

"When I did my inspection, my first impression is that the kennels were filthy and stinking," Ms Faherty told Judge Monica Leech.

"There was a strong smell of ammonia. There were faeces everywhere. Some had mould on it, indicating it was there for a long time. The pens were wet inside and out."

She said fish boxes were used for the dogs' bedding and the boxes were chewed.

Ms Faherty said some of the dogs appeared to have conjunctivitis and alopecia; there were discharges from their ears and their coats were matted. She said some of the dogs were spinning around, indicating they were confined to their kennels a lot.

The dogs included cocker spaniels, poodles, cavaliers, bichons, Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundlands, Jack Russells and collies.

When she returned two days later with a Cork County Council veterinary inspector and the county dog warden, she said a decision was made to remove dogs on welfare grounds, but she could only take those in the worst condition, as there was only space for 14 dogs.

These were given a full veterinary inspection, before being rehabbed by the ISPCA and re-homed, with some taking longer to re-home than others.

Ms Faherty gave an example of one of the dogs, a Newsfoundland.

"She was extremely emaciated. Her coat was like cement," she said.

Ms Faherty said when she returned a fortnight ago, there were fewer dogs there but she still felt the building was not fit for purpose - the dogs were standing in water; their food could be in bowls for weeks without being changed.

"The building is an old piggery. It's cold and wet. The dogs were standing in water. I wouldn't have considered it suitable," Ms Faherty said.

"A lot of these dogs were small breeds. They would be considered house dogs. There was no heating. They were cold and wet."

Defending Solicitor Conrad Murphy said a "slip in standards" was acknowledged.

He said the couple were going through a rough time: Eleanor Sheehy's mother had passed away and the couple's twin daughters had left for Australia.

He said the couple had been granted a dog breeding licence by Cork County Council.

Their premises were subjected to an annual inspection by the council, and there did not appear to be any issues until Ms Faherty's inspection.

Judge Leech questioned if the Sheehys' breeding operation continued.

"So, I am being told that Cork County Council granted them a licence, based on the same circumstances that are being disclosed to me by Ms Faherty," Judge Leech asked.

"Yes," replied Mr Murphy.

Mr Murphy said William Sheehy was a 57-year-old dairy farmer. He also reared pigs on the farm. He said Eleanor Sheehy was aged 50 and was a part-time nurse.

Their 23-year-old son has taken over their dairy farm, on which there are 80 cows.

Mr Murphy said the couple had no previous convictions and had cooperated with Ms Faherty.

"They are deeply concerned. They have looked after animals for a long time. They have had a vet out on numerous occasions to ensure that they were fully compliant," Mr Murphy said.

"Going forward, they would understand what their obligations are. This has caused them significant distress. They are dog lovers at heart."

Judge Leech said she wished to consider matters fully and she will finalise the case in Bandon on Thursday.