Admits animal welfare charge, told to make donation

A Cavanman has pleaded guilty to one animal cruelty charge in respect of an incident on one of the hottest days of the year in Summer 2021.

Martin Lovett with an address at Kilnaleck, Cavan, was originally charged with four offences for alleged failure to safeguard the safety and welfare of dogs on lands in Kilnaleck on July 19, 2021.

The case against the father of Fianna Fáil county councillor Craig Lovett was finalised before a sitting of Cavan District Court last week when he was ordered to make a donation to an animal welfare organisation.

The court heard that a local was walking her dog on the road when it began barking. The person then heard dogs barking in what she drescribed as “distress” on land, so she returned to a neighbour’s house in search of help.

The two people entered the property where they observed four dogs in an aluminium trailer on what was described as the hottest day of the year, with temperatures topping 28 degrees Celsius.

These dogs included one boxer, two setters and one spaniel.

The locals also observed “no food or water” had been left out for the dogs and “very little bedding” had been placed in the trailer. They called An Garda Síochána who soon arrived at the scene.

Upon inspection, the gardaí called the dog warden employed by Cavan County Council who arrived the same day. Cavan District Court heard that the defendant and his son also arrived to the scene and accepted ownership of the dogs.

When Judge Deirdre Gearty asked whether Martin Lovett had previous convictions, the defence replied stating he only had minor road traffic convictions dating back to 2004.

The judge expressed concern about the welfare of the dogs following the incident.

The defence told the court: “The dogs were fine. The dogs were nervous but in good condition.”

The court also heard Mr Lovett had been “using the dogs for hunting”.

While she was content with the dogs’ welfare, the judge further questioned: “What was he doing putting the dogs in a trailer on the hottest day of the year?”

The defence asked the judge to consider allowing Mr Lovett to make a charitable donation rather than impose a conviction.

They told the court Mr Lovett had a “sizeable” sum of money, at €500 to donate.

The judge responded that €500 was not enough, ordering him to donate €750.

She also decided the money would be donated to the Cavan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) rather than the council’s animal protection unit.

Judge Gearty dismissed the charge of animal cruelty under the Probation Act, and struck out three others against the defendant.

Contacted by the Celt following the case, Mr Lovett declined to comment any further.

Dogs rehomed

A spokesperson for Cavan County Council confirmed to the Celt that the dogs were seized and subsequently surrendered by their owner to the care of Cavan County Council. The dogs were then re-homed by Cavan County Council with a new owner.