A Carlow man was convicted of animal cruelty at Carlow District Court this week.
David Fisher with an address at Glean na Bearru, Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown pled guilty to cruelty to two horses at lands in Nurney, Co Carlow in November 2007.
The two filly horses were discovered in poor condition by Inspector Brendan Hughes on Wednesday November 21 last year following a report to the ISPCA by a concerned member of the public. There was no grass for the horses to eat and no evidence of any supplementary feeding.
Giving evidence in court Inspector Hughes described one of the horses, a light bay, as being “emaciated with ribs showing and hips and spine protruding.” He also said that the animal was “depressed and listless.”
Inspector Hughes described the other filly which was dark bay in colour as being “in similar bodily condition but somewhat brighter.”
The two horses were removed for care and rehabilitation. While the dark bay was brought to the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford, the light bay was treated locally as it was feared that she would not survive the journey. Both were pregnant at the time of their rescue but both subsequently delivered still-born foals.
The case was adjourned for sentencing until 18th February 2009 pending a probationary report.
