Man charged with torturing German shepherd puppy

An animal torture charge was brought against a man yesterday arising out of the killing of a German shepherd pup at a house in Cork.

Garda Frank Bergin charged Shane Power, aged 25, with a count which stated that, “On Jan 16, 2013, at 30 Willowbank View, Fairhill, Cork, you did cruelly torture an animal, to wit, a German shepherd pup”, contrary to the Protection of Animals Act.

Insp Mary King told Judge Con O’Leary that the DPP had directed that the case could be dealt with at Cork District Court only on a plea of guilty and that otherwise it would have to be dealt with by way of trial by judge and jury.