Lifetime Pet Ownership Ban Imposed On Leixlip Woman Who Starved Cat To Death

Tuesday, 8 November 2022 09:39

By Caoimhe Harney

Judge Anthony Halpin described this as the worst animal neglect case he had seen.

A judge has imposed a lifetime pet ownership ban on a woman who starved her 18-month cat to death.

Sarah Jane Morrissey of Lough Na Mona Crescent, Easton, Leixlip, is now the subject of a bench warrant as she didn't not attend the court yesterday.

Judge Anthony Halpin described this as the worst animal neglect case he had seen.

Ms Morrissey was accused of not safeguarding her pet's welfare, causing it unnecessary suffering and being reckless regarding its health and welfare in September 2021.

The ISPCA had received a report about the cat in the defendant's home and an inspector visited four times in a week with no answer.

ISPCA inspector Fiona Conlon outlined how she could hear the young male cat in "distress".

When she returned for the final follow-up check, Morrissey was home and handed over the cat.

The inspector said the pet was on the verge of death at that stage, it was rushed to a vet but eventually had to be put down.

Photos were handed out in court, and the inspector said she had video evidence too - but Judge Halpin said he wouldn't be able to watch because the pictures made him 'physically sick.'

He said the animal was starved to death, and he agreed with a request from prosecuting counsel Matthew Holmes to make an order to disqualify Morrissey from ever having an animal again.

Judge Halpin issued a bench warrant to have her arrested and brought before the court to be sentenced