Donegal man faces jail after dead and emaciated animals found on his farm
A Donegal man is facing jail for his mis-treatment of animals on his farm
Leslie Stewart of The Thorn, Letterkenny, Co Donegal plead guilty to four charges under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2010.
Mr Stewart appeared at Letterkenny District Court on Oct 4 before Judge Paul Kelly.
The court heard a number of animals were euthanized on the farm, including a donkey which was too weak to stand, two emaciated calves and an emaciated pony mare which could not bear any weight on one of her fore-legs.
A further seven ponies were surrendered into the care of the ISPCA.
Judge Kelly said he would consider a partial suspension of a custodial sentence if Mr Stewart entered into a bond with the court to dispose of all animals on his farm by November 1.
The case was adjourned until 1st November 2016 pending a further inspection by ISPCA and Department of Agriculture officials to confirm that Mr Stewart, who has 25 previous convictions for animal related offences, has disposed of all animals.
“We would like to thank the Department of Agriculture for their work in bringing this case to a successful conclusion” said Inspector McGinley, “it has taken some time but we are now in a position to ensure that this individual has no animals at all in his care”.
