A WOMAN has been convicted of animal cruelty after she duct-taped closed the mouth of Bassett Hound dog she kept in her back garden.
Last week, Elena Satalkina of Towerfield, Croom, Limerick was convicted of offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
On February 16 last, ISPCA Inspector David Walsh called to Ms Satalkina home in County Limerick.
Mr Walsh said that he saw a Bassett Hound type dog in the back garden of the house with its mouth taped tightly with packaging tape.
He said the dog was whimpering and was scratching at the tape with its paws in an attempt to dislodge the binding. He noted that the dog was in a stressed state.
Ms Satalkina was interviewed under caution and she admitted that she had taped the dog’s mouth because she had no proper muzzle to put on the dog. She claimed that the basset hound was attacking another dog and, in the absence of a muzzle, she had to tape its mouth.
Admitting that she taped the dogs mouth shut, Ms Satalkina claimed that this was a temporary measure to allow her to go and buy a muzzle.
Ms Satalkina said that she couldn’t bring the dog into the house at the time.
Although the case was contested, having heard all of the evidence, Judge Mary Larkin was satisfied to convict and imposed a fine of €250 in respect of each summons. She also ordered that Ms Satalkina pay costs of €250 to the ISPCA.
A spokesperson for the ISPCA said that animal cruelty should not be tolerated and pet owners have a legal responsibility to care for their pets appropriately and, if they fail in this responsibility, they are liable to be prosecuted.
Members of the public should report animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA by contacting the National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515 or report in confidence at here at ispca.ie
