MARLENE MCDONAGH AND DAVID MOORE FROM LARNE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Marlene McDonagh, born on July 12, 1962, and David Moore, born around 1962, both residents of Loughdoo Road in Larne, faced serious allegations of animal cruelty that led to their conviction in 2018. The pair was found guilty of neglecting and mistreating a total of 12 dogs, four cats, and two guinea pigs, despite their public claims of being advocates for animal welfare.

Their case was brought to light following a thorough investigation conducted by officers from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Animal Welfare Department. The investigation was initiated after reports and complaints about the conditions in their home, which was located in Larne, prompted a detailed inspection under the provisions of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

During the inspection, officers discovered a disturbing scene that highlighted the extent of neglect. Several animals were found to be severely matted, with faeces stuck to their coats, indicating a lack of proper grooming and care. Many of the dogs living inside the residence were found in filthy conditions, with internal rooms cluttered with overflowing litter trays and faeces scattered across the floors. The main bedroom was particularly overcrowded, housing seven Chihuahuas and a Jack Russell terrier, all of which were covered in urine, faeces, and puppy pads.

Further examination revealed that two guinea pigs at the property had grossly overgrown nails, a clear sign of neglect. One of the German Shepherds, named Gus, was found in a deplorable state, with faeces stuck to his severely matted coat and suffering from a bilateral ear infection that was causing him pain. The dog also exhibited proprioceptive deficits in his hind legs, which left him unable to walk properly. Due to the severity of their matted coats, five dogs and one cat had to be shaved to alleviate their suffering.

Both McDonagh and Moore pleaded guilty to charges of failing to ensure the welfare of their animals, violating section 9 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. The German Shepherd, Gus, was rescued and is now in recovery thanks to the efforts of the German Shepherd RRR rescue group. The organization expressed their disappointment with the leniency of the sentencing, emphasizing the need for stricter controls and harsher penalties for those responsible for animal cruelty. A spokesperson for the group stated, “We appreciate all the hard work by the welfare officers at the council to expose this disgusting situation but we are deeply disappointed at the sentencing of McDonagh and Moore. We continue our call for strict controls on people who are responsible for the welfare of animals, tougher sentences for convicts, an offenders’ register so there is more of a deterrent for people who feel it is acceptable to treat animals in such an appalling manner. At least we can name and shame these two. We can only continue to hope for lifetime bans for people convicted of animal cruelty.”

In terms of sentencing, both McDonagh and Moore received a four-month custodial sentence, which was suspended for three years. David Moore was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £4,300, covering kennelling, veterinary, and legal expenses. Additionally, both individuals were disqualified from keeping any animals for a minimum of five years, with exceptions made for two dogs and a fish. However, in a surprising turn of events, it was later reported that Marlene McDonagh successfully appealed and had her ban from keeping animals lifted, raising concerns among animal welfare advocates about the effectiveness of such penalties.