A KILLYGORDON woman who allowed a dog to starve until it weighed under two stone has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

 

Katy McMonagle of Lissmullyduff, Killygordon, was convicted at Letterkenny District Court yesterday of failing to adequately feed a dog, fined €10 and disqualified from keeping animals until 2022.

 

The case arose following a visit by ISPCA Senior Inspector Kevin McGinley to the defendant’s home on June 16 last year where he discovered a one-year-old female Siberian husky dog chained at the back of the property. When Mr McGinley examined the dog he could feel every bone on her emaciated body.

 

Her only shelter was a small dilapidated wooden kennel with only two sides and no floor. There were empty food and water bowls nearby.

 

The dog, named Misty, was signed over to the ISPCA and was immediately brought to the Donegal Animal Hospital for treatment. 

 

On admission the dog was found to weigh just 20lbs. The recommended weight for females of this breed is between 38lbs and 55lbs.

 

 Misty was subsequently transferred to the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford where she was cared for until she completed her rehabilitation. She has now made a full recovery and has since been responsibly rehomed to a loving family.

 

 ISPCA Senior Inspector Kevin McGinley said, “Animal neglect and abuse will simply not be tolerated and ISPCA Inspectors can and will instigate legal proceedings if owners are failing in this regard. I am delighted Misty got the kind home she deserves.”