‘Like a skeleton on legs’: Dog owner admits neglecting ‘emaciated’ lurcher

Robert Nugent explained that the dog was in such a state because it had gone missing for three or four weeks. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A pet owner is awaiting sentence after he admitted neglecting his "emaciated" lurcher dog described by a judge as "a skeleton on legs".

Robert Nugent, Glenshane Lawn, Tallaght, Dublin, pleaded guilty to breaching the Animal Health and Welfare Act by causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide sufficient food and water to the lurcher. At Dublin District Court, he also admitted neglecting a Rottweiler dog.

However, he is objecting to an application by the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) to obtain an order barring him from owning animals. The case was adjourned until June 26.

DSPCA inspector Bartley Finnerty told Judge Anthony Halpin that he went to Nugent's home on November 8, 2022. There was a lurcher and a Rottweiler in the rear of the property.

"The lurcher-type dog was in very poor condition," he said. The Rottweiler was okay; it was a good weight, but the issue was the state of the overgrown garden.

"There was a lot of rubbish in the garden, it was very unkempt, there was no shelter".

We were very, very concerned for the lurcher-type dog as you could see its ribs, spine, and you could see all its bones protruding out through it.

Nugent told the inspector he had the lurcher dog for six years.

His explanation for the state of the animal was that it had gone missing for three or four weeks, but he didn't report it to the warden or rescue services. He claimed he had friends out looking for the lurcher dog, which returned a day before the DSPCA inspection.

The court heard he told Mr Finnerty he did not bring it to a vet because he did not think it would make it through the night. Nugent claimed the dog seemed better the following day, and it was eating and walking.

Nugent said he had gone out to get the dog food and returned to find out the DSPCA had removed it.

He explained that the garden was overgrown and untidy because, due to his arthritis, he could not do the necessary work. The court heard that the grass was four feet high and rubbish was strewn everywhere.

Before and after pictures of the lurcher dog were handed over to the judge, who commented: "It looks like a skeleton on legs. I couldn't describe it any other way."

Mr Finnerty also said it was one of the worst cases he had seen during his experience, adding: "I was actually surprised the dog was still standing."

He also voiced "grave concerns" about Nugent owning an animal because he had not sought treatment for the lurcher and was unable to care for dogs due to his arthritis.

DSPCA Inspector Bartley Finnerty: 'We were very, very concerned for the lurcher-type dog as you could see its ribs, spine, and you could see all its bones protruding out through it.' Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A vet's report stated the dog was emaciated, but it gained weight after being put on a feeding programme and is now in a fabulous condition. The court heard the vet concluded that the situation went on for much longer than 24 hours. 

The prosecution also contended that the animal suffered unnecessarily and that it should have been obvious to the owner that it required veterinary attention. Nugent surrendered the dogs to the DSPCA, which incurred considerable costs in treating and looking after them.

The judge also noted he had no previous convictions for similar offences. Roisin O'Mara BL, defending, said her client would contest the prosecution's application to obtain an order under section 58 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act to disqualify Nugent from owning or having control of an animal.

The judge adjourned ruling on that issue until next month's sentence hearing.