Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 22181Animal remedy offence (improper storage and administration of euthanasia drug) · Co. Dublin · 24 Jul 2020

Dog pound owner David Stone fined €30,000 over incorrect euthanasia drug administration

David Stone, 65, owner of Ashton Dog Pound in Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to offences relating to the unlawful storage and incorrect administration of the euthanasia drug Pentobarbital to two dogs on 24 July 2020, and was fined €30,000 by Judge Martin Nolan.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDavid Stone is aged 65. (rte.ie)
  • whatHe had been running Ashton Dog Pound in Dublin since 1996. (rte.ie)
  • whatHe had contracts with Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown county councils. (rte.ie)
  • whatTwo dogs, a Bichon Frise and an Akita, had been administered the euthanasia drug Pentobarbital. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe dogs had not been visited by a vet. (rte.ie)
  • whatBy the time gardaí arrived, one dog had died and the second was very unwell. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe second dog was taken to UCD veterinary clinic where it was put down. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe drug was found in an unlocked tin box. (rte.ie)
  • whatThere was a full bottle and a small amount in a second bottle, totalling over 350ml. (rte.ie)
  • what5ml of the drug was enough to kill a dog. (rte.ie)
  • whatA small amount of the drug in contact with human skin could have fatal consequences. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe drugs were kept in an unlocked box at the receptionist desk of the pound. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe drugs were commonly administered orally by putting it in the animals' food. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe practice was to place the drug in the animal's food to sedate it before the vet would properly administer it intravenously. (rte.ie)
  • whenGardaí were contacted by a dog warden over the weekend of 24 July 2020. (rte.ie)
  • chargeStone pleaded guilty to using a premises for supply of an animal remedy contrary to various European regulations. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to possession of an animal remedy designated 'veterinary practitioner only'. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to causing or permitting the administration of an animal remedy contrary to the same regulations on 24 July 2020. (rte.ie)
  • courtDavid Stone pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €30,000. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Feb2023
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Euthanasia drug given incorrectly at pound, court hears

    Reports the guilty plea and sentencing of David Stone at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, including details of the improper storage and administration of Pentobarbital to two dogs at Ashton Dog Pound.

    convicted, David Stone, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Stone