A man who was before Ballina District Court for cruelty charges against his dog was sentenced to jail this week for “sadistic treatment” against a “defenceless animal”.
Superintendent Pat McHugh outlined that on September 18 2010 after 2.30am, witnesses observed Anthony Kinsella, 7 Circular Road, Ballina, pulling a Staffordshire bull terrier up Garden Street with a rope. The defendant then picked the dog up over his head and threw it into the middle of the road. The dog was then dragged outside a shop and pinned down against steps while Kinsella kicked and thumped the dog. Witnesses tried to intervene, however Kinsella was abusive towards them.
The same people observed the defendant act cruelly towards the dog on October 10 on Tone Street where the dog was again dragged up the street. The dog, which is required to be muzzled, was not. Gardaí seized the dog from the defendant and gave it to the dog warden and the dog has since been re-homed.
Kinsella, who has 10 previous convictions, moved to Ballina from Dublin in 2008. The defendant had the dog for four to five months and according to his solicitor, John Gordon, his client clearly has an anger problem and will not have another dog.
Judge Mary Devins said that a “defenceless animal” suffered due to Kinsella’s “apparent addiction to sadistic treatment”.
For the cruelty charge the defendant was convicted and fined €500 and sentenced to six months in prison, with the final three suspended, on the condition that the defendant will never own or have control of a domestic pet again.
For not having a muzzle on the dog the defendant was convicted and fined €300.
Recognisance was fixed.
