State monitors Galway animal rescuer after conviction

The Department of Agriculture is to monitor a Loughrea woman to ensure she does not resume operations of her animal rescue centre after she was convicted of ill-treating dogs.

Sarah Gunther, from Kylebrack in Loughrea, ran the East Galway Animal Rescue (EGAR) sanctuary was prosecuted last month, after the Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals made complaints to the Gardaí.

The Department of Agriculture has since warned that Ms Gunther will be monitored.

Following queries from local Fine Gael Dáil Deputy Paul Connaughton, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said Ms Gunther had been summonsed under old legislation and that the new Animal Health and Welfare act allows for fines of up to €250,000 and a maximum prison sentence of five years.

“Clearly the evidence presented in this case demonstrated how necessary it was to update animal welfare legislation. My Department will continue to work with local authorities, the Gardaí and animal welfare bodies to ensure that animal welfare is protected.

“Officials of the Dept will monitor, in conjunctions with the Galway local veterinary officer, the lady in question to ensure that she does not resume animal rescue activities,” Minister Coveney said.

The court heard that Gardaí seized eight dogs from the EGAR sanctuary and evidence was given that they were in an emaciated condition, and there was no evidence that they had diarrhoea, as claimed by Ms Gunther.

The defence said Ms Gunther had seen around 3,000 animals pass through her hands in her 17 years rescuing and that the dogs in this case did not come to her in good condition

She was subsequently fined €250 on one summons and ordered to pay €600 in witness expenses for two vets to attend court.

Minister Coveney subsequently explained: “This case predates the coming into operation of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 in March of this year. This Act strengthens considerably the powers for dealing with cases of animal cruelty.

“There are provisions under the Act for powers of intervention where an animal is deemed to be at risk of being welfare compromised and issues such as the prevention of unnecessary suffering and abandonment of animals are also addressed.

“The Act also contains a ‘disqualification’ provision which will enable the courts to ban individuals who are convicted of serious offences from owning or keeping animals.

“The penalties for breaches of animal welfare legislation have been increased with fines being proportionate to the offence. For major cases taken on indictment, the maximum penalty has been raised from €100,000 to €250,000 with a maximum custodial sentence of five years,” said Minister Coveney.