A DOG, tied to the rear of a motorcycle, was frothing at the mouth and could not move after being dragged by its owner along the road, Galway District Court has been told.
A motorist who witnessed the overtook the motorcycle and pulled up in front often an effort to put an end to dog's ordeal, the court heard.
William Kelly, of Clareview Ballybane, Galway, initially pleaded not guilty to ill treating the dog, a German Shephard on June 28th last, but later changed his plea.
Mr Rory Conneely said that when Kelly did not respond to his blowing of the horn he gave chase in his van. "I saw the dog strapped to the motorbike by a "four foot strap," he said.
Mr Conneely said he saw the on its haunches, hopping the road. When the motorcycle turned the corner, the dog keeled over. Kelly continued for another 10 yards, looking behind to see if the dog was still there.
"When I got out and told him did he realise what he was doing, he told me that the dog was `a f...ing lazy dog' and he would walk next time. The dog was frothing at the mouth and there was blood coming from underneath him."
Children came on the scene, Mr Conneely said, and were crying when they saw the state of the dog. He then called the Garda on his mobile phone.
Mr Dan McInerney, defending solicitor, said his client's dog had been missing. He had spent two days looking for it. The dog would not move and his client had spent two hours trying get it home.
German Shepherds, he added, were prone to getting problems with their hindquarters in latter years. It was hot and the dog had been dehydrated as a result of being missing for a few days.
His client had no intention of being cruel to the dog. He had always looked after the dog and had been co operative with garda and animal welfare people.
Judge John Garavan said Kelly's attitude had been appalling. "He doesn't deserve to have a dog. If he hadn't changed his plea, it might have been jail for him. The dog was obviously dehydrated because of being hauled on hot tarmacadam on one, of the hottest days of the year.
The judge said that Mr Conneely was to be congratulated for intervening. He fined Kelly £100 and ordered him to pay £40 in witness expenses.