Editorial: Prison term for Kilkenny animal abusers sets right tone

It’s an old piece of wisdom that you can learn a lot about a society by the way it treats its most vulnerable members, and you can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals.

Unfortunately, there have been a number of recent cases involving animals making the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
In this week’s Kilkenny People, we share the harrowing details from a case before the courts this week. Animals without access to proper food, without water. Covered in filth and starving, marked by sulky reins and bridles. Riddled with parasites and terrified of human interaction.

While fines and court orders are not uncommon, it is more rare to see people serve prison sentences in relation to animal cruelty. The judge took all factors into consideration when deciding on a custodial sentence for the men involved.

“This is not a case where they fell below standards, there was no care at all or no appropriate care,” the judge said.

While the evidence in this case was stark and will be an upsetting read to all animal lovers, a special mention must go to those that stepped in to take the 23 dogs and four horses out of the terrible situation.

Led by the statutory bodies - An Garda Siochána and Kilkenny County Council, the group also included local vets, and big-hearted, hard-working animal rescue groups who took the animals into their care.

Many animal rescue charities struggle with funding so if you can, give them your support.

At the lesser end of the scale, there are plenty of dogs and horses out there who have not been chipped or licensed.

In recent weeks, we are also seeing some sulky use creeping back into parts of Kilkenny City. The horse-free zones, introduced in recent years, did make a big difference, and the sight of ponies being driven through the streets at breakneck speed has diminished. Let’s hope things don’t go backwards.