A DUBLIN man, responsible for what was described as "one of the worst cases of neglect and cruelty" to animals, has been sent to prison while a judge decides what to do with him.
William Hynes (29), of Dunsink Avenue, Finglas West, was fined a maximum £1,000 in the Dublin District Court for cruelty to four dogs, sent to prison for three months and banned from keeping pets until he is 65.
He was allowed bail while he appealed the severity of the sentences to Dublin Circuit Court, but yesterday told Judge Liam Devally in the Circuit Court that he wanted to admit his guilt. Judge Devally remanded him in custody until November 1st while he considered the evidence.
A veterinary surgeon, Mr Garrett Freyne, said he had not seen a case like it in 30 years.
When called to Hynes's home he found a brown terrier had been reduced to skin and bone and covered in fleas. A brindle greyhound was in an emaciated condition, weighing only 20 lb, less than half its normal weight.
Mr Freyne said another greyhound had broken teeth and had been bitten around the ears. It was very weak. The fourth animal, also a greyhound, was dead and had been partly eaten by the others.
He said it was mutilated, with a large area of its left side of chest cavity and ribs exposed. The rib cage had been eaten away and it had multiple lacerations and puncture wounds around its neck and face. Its neck muscles had been torn apart.
"This is one of the worst cases of neglect and cruelty I have seen in 30 years as a vet," he said. "For food the three other dogs savaged the weakest. Forced by starvation they reverted to jungle conditions.
He said that for humane reasons the three surviving animals had been put down.
Mr Cormac Quinn, counsel for Hynes, said his client was left with the dogs, which belonged to his brother, when he went off to England in mid 1995. His brother had told him someone else would collect them, and as he was only living in the house about twice a week, he felt the dogs were not his responsibility.
Mr Quinn said his client now accepted that he had some responsibility for the dogs but felt that other people were responsible too, particularly his brother, who went off and left them, and his sister who also lived in the house at Dunsink. Mr Hynes was sorry for what had happened and apologised to the court.
Mr Quinn said that since the conviction in the District Court Hynes had received numerous threats to his life and his property.