Man and woman jailed for animal neglect after dog found dead with plastic in stomach in Navan
On 26 February 2024, an ISPCA inspector found two emaciated dogs at 20 Oaklawns, Clogherboy Park, Navan, Co Meath, one of which, a long-haired Terrier named Bruno, was already dead with sharp pieces of plastic in its stomach, while the other, a Collie pup called Sheba, was extremely underweight. Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty, the occupants of the property, refused a formal interview, stating they were too busy. On 18 July 2025, both pleaded guilty to six offences each under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 at Navan District Court. They were each sentenced to two months' imprisonment and banned for life from owning or keeping an animal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced23 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two emaciated dogs were found at a property in Navan with no food, water or shelter available, one already deceased.
- The dead dog was a long-haired Terrier named Bruno whose stomach contained only sharp pieces of plastic and dark black digestive juices.
- The other dog was a Collie pup called Sheba; both had body condition scores of one out of nine.
- Where
- The dogs were found at 20 Oaklawns, Clogherboy Park, Navan, Co Meath.
- When
- The dogs were found on 26 February 2024 by ISPCA Inspector James McCormack in response to a report.
- Cause
- The dogs' conditions were attributed to starvation.
- Investigation
- Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty refused a formal interview, stating they were too busy.
- Charges
- Both pleaded guilty to six offences each under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
- In court
- The case was heard at Navan District Court before Ms Justice Eirinn McKiernan on 18 July 2025.
- Sentence
- Both were sentenced to two months' imprisonment on one offence with all other charges taken into consideration.
- Both were banned for life from owning, keeping, dealing in or having charge or control of an animal.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe charges related to two emaciated dogs, one of which died, due to neglect. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe inspector found two dogs in the back garden in poor condition, one already deceased lying by the back door. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThere was no food, water or shelter available for the dogs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe dead dog was a long-haired Terrier named Bruno. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe other dog was a Collie pup called Sheba. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe dogs had not been checked since the previous day. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDog food and a bowl of water were inside the house but the dogs did not have access to them. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBoth dogs were found to be extremely underweight with body condition scores of one out of nine. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe stomach of the deceased dog was empty other than for sharp pieces of plastic and dark black digestive juices. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe two accused refused a formal interview, stating they were too busy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe defendants' address was 20 Oaklawns, Clogherboy Park, Navan, Co Meath. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe defendants pleaded guilty at Navan District Court on 18 July 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe dogs' conditions were attributed to starvation. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThey pleaded guilty to six offences each under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Navan District Court before Ms Justice Eirinn McKiernan. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBoth defendants were sentenced to two months' imprisonment on one offence with all other charges taken into consideration. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBoth were banned for life from owning, keeping, dealing in or having charge or control of an animal. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Jul2025Man and woman jailed after dog found dead in yard with plastic in stomach
Reports the guilty plea and sentencing of Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty for neglecting two dogs, one of which (Bruno, a long-haired Terrier) died with only plastic in its stomach, and the other (Sheba, a Collie pup) was found extremely underweight. Both received two months' imprisonment and lifetime disqualification from owning animals.
accused, Kevin Horace, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin Horaceaccused, Kayla Rafferty, female, named, irish (judged from name)Kayla Rafferty