22nd July 2026

A Carlow man has been banned for life from owning or keeping any animal after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences relating to a Labrador found in a horrific condition.

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At Carlow District Court on Thursday, 2 July 2026, the defendant, a 43 year old Carlow man pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

The court heard evidence from NSPCA Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon that the female black Labrador, Ruby, was found by a member of the public at the roadside in June 2025 suffering from a huge ulcerated mass on her head, multiple infected wounds infested with maggots, and severe emaciation.

The concerned member of the public made contact with Inspector Conlon and local veterinary surgeon Keith Beirne.

The court heard that the dog was “crawling in maggots” and was also emaciated, with an ulcer on the right side of her head and holes in her head and legs caused by maggot infestation.

Ms Conlon told the court that, in the vet’s professional opinion, the animal had effectively “been eaten alive” with the infestation eating through to her body, and the only humane option to end the suffering was to euthanise the dog back at the surgery. Following the procedure, a microchip was discovered which confirmed Ruby’s identity, with the chip registered to a property directly behind the hedge where Ruby was found.

When the owner was interviewed, he claimed the dog had run away about a year earlier after he treated a scratch on her head with blue spray. He admitted making no attempt to report her missing or search for her.

In court photographs of the dog’s injuries were handed into court. Judge Miriam Walsh, visibly affected by the images, said: “My stomach is turning from seeing these pictures, I have never seen this before. I can’t even tell what part of the body that is.”

Inspector Conlon confirmed that the photo in question showed maggots coming from the dog’s vulva.

Judge Walsh said, “Why would you put another living being through this form of torture? Would you treat yourself like this?”, to which the defendant answered “no”.

She described the case as “unconscionable” and said she was struggling to understand why anyone would allow another creature to suffer in this way.

Judge Miriam Walsh said she was horrified by Ruby’s condition. She fined Mr Prendergast €750 on each of two summonses, ordered him to pay €350 in veterinary costs and disqualified him from owning or keeping any animal for life.