Michael O’Reilly, an agricultural veterinary inspector, received a seven years ban on dog ownership and was ordered to pay fines totalling €9,000 for his irresponsible pet care. This punishment followed his conviction for neglecting to properly care for 10 terriers he kept in kennels he owned, which were found living in their own excrement.
O’Reilly formerly worked with the Department of Agriculture and was found guilty of seven violations of the Animal Health and Welfare Act from 2013. The violations related to 10 dogs that were housed at his kennels in Killamuckey, Mogeely, Castlemartyr, Co Cork during two different occasions in May 2023.
O’Reilly, a resident of Primrose Banks, Cois Maigh, Mogeely, Castlemartyr, was convicted of seven different charges, one of which included obstructing an authorised officer in the performance of their role as per the Animal and Welfare Act, 2013. The charges were painstakingly presented before Judge Colm Roberts at Midleton District Court.
The case against O’Reilly was initiated by the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine after a thorough investigation conducted at O’Reilly’s kennels by Caroline Faherty, an inspector for animal welfare from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA). The investigation was also supported by other ISPCA team members and a veterinary inspector from the Cork County Council.
Faherty recounted her visit to the Killamuckey kennels, on May 3rd, 2023, where she discovered around 10 dogs confined in an enclosure abutting what seemed like abandoned sheds, and surrounded by heaps of excrement and shredded paper, all teeming with rodent burrows. Inside one pitch-black shed, she found four Irish terriers whose fur was heavily caked with dirt and excrement. The prevalent ammonia odour was unbearable, and evidence indicated that the faecal matter on the floor, which had fungi sprouting from it, had been present there for an extended period.
In one kennel, she discovered a pair of canines shrouded in total darkness, while another shelter held four dogs. Unsanitary conditions greeted them in all the housing units, as they were filled with faecal matter with no clean space to rest or safe drinking water. Out of ten dogs found, only four appeared to be sociable, while six demonstrated anxiety and signs of ‘fear-aggression’, suggesting a lack of proper socialisation, according to Ms Faherty. The unnamed individual caring for the dogs was issued a notice instructing them to get in touch with the ISPCA.
When Ms Faherty revisited the kennels with dog wardens Gavin O’Dwyer and Don Kelly, and veterinary inspector Edmond O’Sullivan of the Cork County Council, on the 5th and 8th of May, they found that conditions had not improved. The majority of the dogs, who were microchipped and registered under O’Reilly’s name, were living in unacceptable conditions based on their joint agreement. O’Reilly was subsequently notified by O’Sullivan about their serious concerns regarding the animals’ welfare, and impending removal.
Ms Faherty expressed shock at their findings, adding she was startled to see animals living in such conditions at the hands of a veterinary inspector. When the matter was brought to O’Reilly’s attention, he responded defensively, dismissing her emphasis on the problematic living conditions of the dogs. His dismissive behaviour led to an argument where he belittled her role as an animal inspector compared to his role as a veterinary inspector.
During the cross-examination conducted by defence solicitor Joe Cuddigan, Ms Faherty conceded that all the dogs were healthy physically, apart from matted fur and some bald spots. However, she underlined her serious apprehensions regarding their psychological health and lack of mental stimulation. O’Sullivan backed up these concerns with a wildly aghast report noting his disbelief that a fellow veterinary surgeon would keep dogs under such adverse conditions. He added that when confronted, O’Reilly responded in a highly adversarial and agitated manner.
In his plea for mitigation, Mr Cuddigan confirmed that his client did not operate a dog breeding site or puppy farm at his kennels, but that he indeed owned a several show dogs. He highlighted that he had promptly replaced the old kennel sheds with new ones within one month since the ISPCA’s inspection, spending a substantial amount of €6,500.
Mr Cuddigan also asked for mercy, citing that his client had a clean criminal record. He outlined that his client was grappling with immense stress during this period because he was an only child and was dealing with the hospitalisation, and eventual death, of his very close father, which had imposed a heavy toll on him.
Judge Roberts agreed that this may have indeed been the case. However, he noted that despite this stressful period in his personal life, O’Reilly was able to continue his profession as a vet. According to Judge Roberts, given his line of work, he should have managed to fulfil his duties to the dogs under his supervision.
Complimenting Mr Cuddigan on his points made in mitigation for his client, Judge Roberts stated that O’Reilly’s role as a vet was a factor that made the matter worse as he announced fines of €4,000, instructed him to pay €5,000 in costs, and banned him from owning dogs for a duration of seven years.