Wednesday 28 October 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. 2819Animal cruelty (causing unnecessary suffering, endangering, failing to safeguard welfare of an animal) · Co. Dublin · 28 Oct 2023

Martina Kelly jailed for six months over neglect of Jack Russell with untreated tumour

Martina Kelly, of Kylemore, Dublin 10, was sentenced to six months (with the final two months suspended) at Dublin District Court after pleading guilty to charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act for the neglect of her 10-year-old Jack Russell 'Lucky', whose untreated tumour the size of a grapefruit ruptured, leaving the dog bleeding and unresponsive.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe dog Lucky was a 10-year-old Jack Russell taken in as a stray eight years ago. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA DSPCA ambulance found Lucky had a large growth near his testicles which had ruptured. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe dog was found bleeding, unresponsive and lethargic. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKelly insisted she had been unable to get a vet appointment over the bank holiday weekend. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSuch an enlarged tumour would have been avoided if Lucky had been castrated. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatLucky recovered and was later rehomed. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKelly told the judge she did not have a car and a taxi would not take them because the dog was bleeding. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe dog began bleeding heavily on 28 October 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDSPCA inspector Shane Lawlor investigated three days after a call from Kelly offering to surrender the dog. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeKelly pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCharges included causing unnecessary suffering, endangering and failing to safeguard the welfare of the dog. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge Anthony Halpin. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Department of Agriculture prosecuted Kelly. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMartina Kelly received a six-month sentence with the final two months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKelly is a mother of three. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKelly had no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Dec2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Dog owner jailed over ‘harrowing’ neglect of Jack Russell with untreated tumour the size of a grapefruit

    Sentencing report: Kelly received a six-month sentence with two months suspended after pleading guilty; the court heard detailed evidence from DSPCA and veterinary witnesses about the extent of the dog's suffering.

    victim, Lucky, 10, maleLuckyconvicted, Martina Kelly, female, named, irish (judged from name)Martina Kelly