The owner of a Dublin dog pound, three shelter staff, and a veterinarian have been charged with animal cruelty, following an investigation into the deaths of two dogs at the pound last July by the Irish National Police.
Lady Freethinker (LFT) thanks the more than 39,400 people who signed our petition demanding justice for these innocent dogs.
Ashton Pound Owner David Stone has been officially charged under the Animal Health and Wealthfare Act, including two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an Akita and Bichon Frise who died at the shelter and one count of killing a protected animal or causing or permitting another person to kill a protected animal, according to the Irish Examiner.
Veterinarian Sydney Nagle has been charged with possessing a controlled drug, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it in violation of drugs regulations and laws. Nagle also is charged with causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs, with causing or permitting another person to kill a protected animal, and with failing to keep adequate records of purchase and sales.
Three shelter staff — Gordon Markey Quinn, Raymond Connolly, and Tamara Philips — also have been charged in the case with killing or permitting another person to kill a protected animal. Connolly faces an additional charge of obstructing a national police agent from doing her job, according to The Irish Times.
The arrests follow an investigation by the An Garda Síochána, also known as the Gardaí or Irish National Police, into a whistleblower complaint last July that shelter staff were killing animals by feeding them sodium pentobarbital — a euthanasia drug meant to be injected by a qualified vet.
The five individuals were charged in Dublin Circuit Court and remanded on bail. They’re scheduled to appear back in District Court on Sept. 17.
But the trial will take place on indictment in front of the Circuit Court, which can issue tougher sentences upon conviction, Court Garda Sgt. Paul Keane told the Irish Examiner.
LFT will continue to follow the case and keep you updated.
