Westport farmer shot neighbour’s dog with shotgun

Farmer shot neighbour’s dog with shotgun


Two Westport neighbours have been given 12 months to allow ‘peace prevail’ after they appeared in court after one of them shot the other’s dog with a shotgun.
Thomas Joyce of Mace, Ayle, Westport pleaded guilty to shooting a labrador dog belonging to Thomas Moore of Mace, Aughagower, Westport on May 23, 2010. Mr Joyce claimed that he shot at the dog because it came onto his land and attacked his dog while Mr Moore claimed that dog was shot while on his own land.
The court heard that the two neighbours had been ‘at loggerheads’ with each other and Judge Mary Devins decided that it was best to adjourn sentencing until June 7 2012 to allow peace to prevail.
Garda Fergal O’Caheny told the court that on March 23, 2010 he arrived at the scene at 5.50pm and spoke to Mr Moore who told him that his neighbour had shot his dog and showed him the injuries.
When Garda O’Caheny spoke to Mr Joyce, he admitted he shot the dog with a single barrel shotgun. The court heard the dog had 20 pellets in his leg and had to receive injections for eight days along with tablets and painkillers.
In a statement to gardaí, Mr Joyce explained that he was putting up a fence when he saw the labrador chasing his dog. He said he went to intervene and claimed the labrador was growling and showing his teeth. Mr Joyce claimed that if he did not have a stick in his hand it would have gone for him.
He said he got his shotgun from his van and intended to shoot into the ground to scare him but shot him in the leg. He said the dog ‘ran rapid through the fence’ and Mr Moore shouted abuse at him.
Mr Moore said he was working on his home when he heard the dog barking and decided to investigate when he heard a ‘loud blast’. He said the dog was covered in blood and his wife and son said the shot came through the railing in the fence. He went to the fence and saw Mr Joyce walking away with his gun broken in two along his arm. Mr Moore admitted shouting at Mr Joyce to ‘go back where you came from’.
Mr Moore was also charged with failing to have a valid dog licence and neither man had any previous convictions.
Mr Boguslaw McArdle, solicitor for Mr Moore, said his client was a cattle farmer and said the dog licence had expired by two months.
Ms Caroline Barry, solicitor for Mr Joyce said her client uses the field for livestock and had trouble with dogs belonging to his neighbour trespassing on his land.
Superintendent Mick Murray said that it would be beneficial if sentences were adjourned to see how they perform. Both men were agreeable to have the sentences adjourned for 12 months while Judge Devins explained that the penalty for failing to have a dog licence was nearly as strict as cruelty to animals.