NENAGH District Court fined Eugene Cleary of Derrinclare, Shinrone, Co Offaly for animal cruelty in a case on February 10th. He pled guilty to the offence, was fined €1,000 and also ordered to pay €750 in costs.

This week the ISPCA said that this case originated in January 2021 when a black pony was seized by ISPCA staff after being found with severely overgrown hooves in a field near Cloughjourdan, Co Tipperary.

The pony was transported to the ISPCA’s National Animal Centre in Longford for urgent farrier treatment and a veterinary examination.

Enquiries by ISPCA Animal Inspector Emma Carroll identified Cleary as the owner but he initially claimed that he had never seen the pony before. The following day, the defendant admitted ownership of the pony. He claimed that he had a farrier tend the pony’s hooves every six months but, there had been a delay due to Covid and his farrier being ill.

X-ray results confirmed that the pony had chronic laminitic changes but, in ISPCA care, he received regular farrier treatment and made an excellent recovery. He is now enjoying life in his new home.

Needless suffering

Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said: “It is sad and unacceptable that Nash had to suffer needlessly due to the lack of basic equine knowledge and understanding of his owners. Thanks to a vigilant member of the public for contacting the ISPCA to highlight this issue, we were able to alleviate his pain and prevent further suffering. Nash now has a far better quality of life in his new home where he is loved and cared for”.

ISPCA Helpline

The ISPCA can be contacted by members of the public concerned over the plight of any animal at 0818 515 515, email helpline@ispca.ie or visit www.ispca.ie