Unmuzzled Staffie in Athy costs its owner €400 in fines
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A man who walked an unmuzzled Staffordshire Terrier on the streets of Athy and then abused the arresting gardaí was fined a total of €400 in Athy District Court last week. In court to face the charges was Ian Lawlor (45), with an address in St Ronan’s Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Along with the public order charge, he was also charged with walking one of ten proscribed breeds, added to the in 2023.
“It was only a little Staffie pup,” Mr Lawlor argued in court.
The stand-in prosecuting sergeant told the court how the defendant had been stopped at lunchtime on Duke Street, Athy on 12 August with the animal.
“When confronted, he started getting abusive and told the guards’ to f**k off’ before he was arrested,” she said.
“The dog was taken to Athy Garda Station,” explained Mr Lawlor.
“Which of you were in handcuffs?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan with a small smile.
“They wouldn’t even release her to my family. She’s 16 months’ old, she’s only a puppy,” argued Mr Lawlor.
“They’re only a pup ’til they bite you,” commented the judge.
“No! No! No!” the defendant protested. “I train dogs to be civil.”
“Why couldn’t he train himself to be civil?” asked the judge rhetorically.
“My client hasn’t been in trouble in seven years, and before that it was seven years further back,” argued defending solicitor Jackie McManus.
“I have two and three-year-old nieces around this dog,” continued Mr Lawlor.
“He has learned his lesson, and will now always have a muzzle,” said Ms McManus.
“I think it’s fines only for no muzzle?” the judge enquired of the sergeant, seeking clarity on the charge.
“The guards gave the dog back to my mother-in-law to walk back down the town without a muzzle,” Mr Lawlor said, but to no avail.
He was fined €250 for the threatening and abusive behaviour, and a further €150 for not having a muzzle.
