Seized dogs remain in council care
Dogs seized from a metal cattle trailer last month, while temperatures outside topped 25 degrees Celsius, remain in the custody of the local dog warden as the matter is still under active investigation by An Garda Síochána.
It is understood the animals will remain in care of the Cavan pound until the garda investigation is concluded.
A total of four dogs were lifted by the dog warden from a site near Kilnaleck on Sunday, July 18. The canines were in a trailer located in a field. Subsequent reports linked local Fianna Fáil councillor Craig Lovett with owning the animals, a claim he strenuously denies.
Cllr Lovett (27), a former All-Ireland jiving champion who has also appeared TVs ads for supermarket Lidl, is a livestock auctioneer and estate agent. He told this newspaper that his father Martin owned the dogs, a claim later confirmed by Martin Lovett.
The Anglo-Celtunderstands gardaí attended the property near Kilnaleck twice on Sunday, July 18 - once during the day and again later that same evening. On the second occasion, a number of dogs were taken into care and brought to the council-run dog pound near Crossdoney. The dogs were assessed by a vet, but did not require medical treatment.
Cllr Lovett’s father Martin, an electrician by trade, informed this newspaper when contacted: “They’re my dogs, so that’s one owner, myself.”
Cllr Lovett’s father Martin furthermore denied his son owned the lands on which the dogs were found, but he refused to confirm who did, only to say: “Craig does not own the dogs, and Craig does not own the land.”
According to the declaration/disclosure of interests submitted by Cllr Lovett in back in January of this year, the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District area representative stated he owns lands at ‘Aghagegna, Crosserlough’, clarifying their use to the council as for ‘farming’ purposes.
Elected to Cavan County Council at the local elections in 2019, Cllr Lovett is a registered seller and supplier of pet animals.
The Lovetts did not reply when contacted by theCeltfor additional comment.
An Garda Síochána told the Celt that investigations into the alleged animal welfare issue are “still ongoing”, adding that there was “no new update at this time”.
A spokesperson for Cavan County Council confirmed: “The dogs remain in the care of Cavan County Dog Pound. The matter is a subject of an active Garda investigation and Cavan County Council will not be commenting further at this time.”
Meanwhile, a Change.org online petition entitled ‘Sack Craig Lovett from Cavan Co. Council’ has received more than 2,500 signatures, according to the website.
The Celt contacted organisers to ask how many of the signatories are Cavan based but they had not replied at time of print.
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