Carlow couple sentenced to 3 years in jail for running puppy farm

They have also been banned from ever owning a dog.

A Carlow couple have been convicted of 60 offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA). The convictions include causing or permitting animal cruelty contrary to section 12 and failing to protect the welfare of an animal contrary to section 11. Jim Kavanagh and Jenny Kavanagh of Raheenleigh, Myshall, in Co Carlow pleaded guilty in October 2018 to 30 charges each, however their initial charges amounted to a total of 252. The remaining charges faced by Mr Kavanagh were taken into consideration. Judge James McCourt sentenced Mr Kavanagh to three years in jail, and also banned him from keeping dogs or equines for life. James Kavanagh has also been ordered to pay costs of €35,000 to the ISPCA, while Jenny Kavanagh was sentenced to a 12 month custodial sentence fully suspended and banned from keeping dogs for 15 years. The judge said: "Words fail me to describe what those pictures depict.  It is extraordinary to find someone of farming stock guilty of such an appalling crime best illustrated by the video footage we sat through this morning and photographs presented to the court."