The USPCA has described the sentencing of an Armagh man for running an illegal puppy farm as a "slap on the wrist" and called for tougher penalties for those "inflicting the worst levels of animal cruelty".
The charity spoke out after Patrick Terrence Finn, of Ennislare Road, was sentenced to 80 hours of community service this week for keeping 49 dogs in squalid conditions.
A judge at Armagh Magistrates' Court also ordered Finn to pay £2,560 in costs incurred by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for the care of the rescued dogs after they were discovered during an inspection at his property in November 2021.
He pleaded guilty to operating a breeding establishment without a license in breach of animal welfare regulations and also to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of the dogs, which were found with obvious signs of neglect.
Finn was also ordered to pay legal fees and court costs amounting to £330, and was banned from keeping animals for five years.
Following his sentencing, a council spokesperson said: "This is one of the most serious cases of illegal puppy farming and neglect that we have come across in this council area to date."
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USPCA chief executive Nora Smith said the sentencing was "an insult".
"We have strong custodial legislation available to the courts yet this individual walks away with a slap on the wrist. It is deeply frustrating and concerning," she said.
“We need to give harsher sentences to send out a clear message, that as a society we will not tolerate or stand for animal cruelty enforcement and strong sentences are the only things that will stop and deter individuals who are inflicting the worst levels of animal cruelty."
Ms Smith praised the response of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council in handling the case, adding: "In order to catch and stop more of these puppy farmers we would ultimately like to see better partnership working between the USPCA and our local councils.”
