A farmer was strongly criticised by a District Court judge for "barbaric treatment" of his sheep, resulting in their legs being cut to the bone by twine fetters. Mr Donal Healy (42) pleaded guilty at Carrigaline District Court yesterday to three charges of causing cruelty to 14 sheep, 26 cattle and a dog at his farm at Ballinrosig, Carrigaline, Co Cork, on April 1st, 1997.
Mr Ted O'Connor, an inspector with the Cork Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, said he found 14 sheep and lambs lying on their sides in a field with very poor grass and no substitute feeding or water.
"I found the sheep had their feet fettered with bailer twine. The twine was attached with running knots and no stop ends, which meant when the animal moved the twine would tighten on the leg.
"When this happened, it would cut right through the flesh to bone and when I
cut the twine free from the leg, I exposed half an inch of raw bone.
He also found 26 cattle and calves, and a bull, in a compound behind Healy's farmhouse. They were standing in several inches of slurry.
"The animals had no place to lie down, they had no food or water and were roaring," said Mr O'Connor.
He also found a terrier tied with a 20-yard chain - again without any signs of food or water and no shelter from the elements.
Mr Healy's solicitor, Mr Julian Kahn, explained his client's mother had died just two weeks before Mr O'Connor had visited the farm. He had since had the sheep put down, he said.
But Judge John Clifford said it was horrifying to think of the pain the poor animals had suffered. He fined Mr Healy £100 for causing cruelty to the sheep, £100 for causing cruelty to the cattle, £50 for causing cruelty to the terrier and ordered him to pay £130 expenses.