Tuam Herald Thursday, October 29, 2009

Animal cruelty organisation welcomes judge's verdict

A BALLYGLUNIN farmer who left his dog untreated with a two kilo cancerous tumour hanging from its abdomen was banned from holding any animals in the future when he was convicted on a cruelty charge at Tuam District Court on Tuesday.

Before the Court was Mar-tin Forde of Lissaniska, Ballyglunin who was described as a farmer in Court. He was fined and ordered not to keep animals again.

Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) issued a statement following the verdict and the Judge's ruling expressing their delight at the outcome and hoped it would serve as a warning to others who are mistreating animals.

At Tuam Court GSPCA official Janine Zanon presented photographic evidence depicting the distressed state the dog was in before it had to be put down by Tuam Veteri-nary Surgeon Tom Rennick.

Judge Geoffrey Browne on viewing the evidence said: "The poor dog, it must have been in agony." He added that there was no excuse for leaving an animal in such distress and it must have been obvious that it was ill for a considerable time.

He was told that the tumour was the size of a melon and was estimated to weight approximately two kilos (4.51b).

Ms Zanon gave details of the condition she found the dog in when she visited Forde's farm on February 27 last.

The animal could barely walk when she arrived at Forde's home and she could see it was in severe pain. She put it in her van and brought it to the vet in Tuam. Along the way she could hear it crying in pain and when she removed it there was evidence of discharge from the tumour left in her vehicle.

Tom Rennick estimated that the tumour could have been growing for up to two years. It was in such extreme pain when brought to the surgery that there was no option but to put it down.

Forde's defence solicitor told the Court that her client was very apologetic for what had happened.

He had twice tried to get a vet to come out and treat the dog but had failed. It was stated that. Forde himself had suffered ill health in recent times.
Judge Browne convicted Forde of animal cruelty and imposed a fine of €750 and ordered him to pay €60 in veterinary expenses,

He also ordered that Forde be banned from keeping any animals.
GSPCA Spokesperson Margaret O'Sullivan told The Herald that the animal involved had endured unimaginable suffering.

"This is the first in my memory that someone has been banned for life from owning a dog. Hopefully this will be a lesson for those who don't look after their animals. We will come after you and there will be prosecutions," she warned.

"We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of this case and we thank the Judge for his comments and the way he dealt with the matter," added Margaret O'Sullivan.


Please be warned, these photographs are VERY, VERY distressing to look at.
http://www.galway-spca.com/images/ba...
http://www.galway-spca.com/images/ba...
http://www.galway-spca.com/images/ba...

With Halloween here, we ask you to keep all your pets in until the weekend is over, don't forget to put rabbit hutches in a shed as well. If your pet is nervous keep in a room away from the front door, play music, close the curtains and if needs be speak to your vet for advise. Please please do not bring your dog to bonfires or fireworks (which are illegal) but more so can frighten and harm your dog. Halloween is for people not pets so leave your pet at home in the safety of its own place.

If you do lose your pet please contact the following:
Galway vets, http://www.goldenpages.ie/category_V...
Dog Warden, http://www.galway.ie/en/Services/Vet...
Lost Pets Galway Bay FM, http://www.galwaybayfm.ie/
Gardai. http://www.galway-ireland.ie/gardai.htm
and of course, GSPCA

A Happy and safe Halloween to all.

We got the call the engineer visited us, it was all systems go , Galway bay fm were coming in the morning to present the Keith Finnegan show from our shop. Keith was on a much needed break so Gerry Murphy stood in.

Having never met Gerry before, it was indeed a pleasure to meet up with him. The show started and what an experience to see how a programme is put together and how everything fits in and how everything is timed.

For the show we had Donnacha from Galway volunteer centre talking about the work they do. Vinny from Charlie Byrnes book shop called in to tell us they are 25 years in business. A garda from Mill St, one of the lads from FAS these were just a few of the people popping in. In between all that both Helen and myself spoke of the animals, work, the worries, the abuse we face daily trying to keep our organization going. As Helen said apart from the FAS workers the rest is all volunteer including the committee who put in a 7 day week while holding down jobs as well.

To finish off Bernie Ní Fharratha from the Connacht tribune joined Gerry with the sentinel news and the bit of craíc as well. What a morning we totally enjoyed having everyone visit and say a big thank to Gerry and Fionnuala for making it happen and invite them to come back soon.

We've added the photos in their very own album!