Thursday 5 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. 29734Cruelty to animals · Co. Roscommon · 1 May 2020

Roscommon woman sentenced for cruelty to animals

Two Doberman dogs named Kori and Ansgar were found emaciated at a property in Curraboy, Co. Roscommon, on 1 May 2020. ISPCA inspector Karen Lyons seized the dogs, which weighed 20.4 and 22.4 kilos with body condition scores of one out of five. Ann Bourke, a woman, was convicted of five offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 at Athlone District Court on 29 September 2021. She was fined €500 and ordered to pay €500 in prosecution costs. The dogs recovered in ISPCA care and have since been rehomed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two Doberman dogs named Kori and Ansgar were found emaciated at a property in Curraboy, Co. Roscommon, on 1 May 2020.
  • The dogs weighed 20.4 and 22.4 kilos with body condition scores of one out of five, and had hair loss and scars on their ears and head.
  • A vet noted that adipose tissue around the dogs' skulls had broken down, suggesting the weight loss had occurred over at least eight weeks.
  • The accused failed to seek veterinary assistance for the dogs' ongoing diarrhea for a month, which the court found neglectful and reckless.
Investigation
ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector Karen Lyons seized the dogs and transported them for urgent veterinary examination.
Charges
Ann Bourke was charged with five offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
In court
Ann Bourke was convicted of five offences at Athlone District Court on 29 September 2021, with the case prosecuted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Sentence
She was fined €500 and ordered to pay €500 in prosecution costs.
Other details
  • The defence argued the dogs' condition was due to a change of diet and resultant diarrhea lasting four weeks, but the vet expressed the opinion that a diet change could not have caused the weight loss to the extent observed.
  • The dogs gained 5 and 6 kilos in a couple of weeks in ISPCA care and have since been rehomed.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe dogs weighed 20.4 kilos and 22.4 kilos with body condition scores of one out of five (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe dogs had hair loss and scars on their ears and head (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe vet noted that adipose tissue around the dogs' skulls had broken down, suggesting the weight loss was over eight weeks (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe accused failed to seek veterinary assistance for the dogs' ongoing diarrhea for a month, which the court found neglectful and reckless (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe dogs were named Kori and Ansgar (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe dogs gained 5 kilos and 6 kilos in a couple of weeks in ISPCA care from receiving a suitable diet (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationISPCA Animal Welfare Inspector Karen Lyons seized the dogs and transported them for urgent veterinary examination (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtAnn Bourke was convicted on five charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 at Athlone District Court on 29 September 2021 (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtThe case was prosecuted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtJudge Gearty convicted Ms. Bourke of five offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceShe was fined €500 and ordered to pay €500 in prosecution costs (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe defence argued the dogs' condition was due to a change of diet and resultant diarrhea lasting four weeks (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe vet expressed the opinion that a change of diet could not have caused the weight loss to the extent the animals presented (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe dogs bounced back to full health in ISPCA care and have since been rehomed (leitrimobserver.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Oct2021
    Sentencedleitrimobserver.ie, first report
    Roscommon woman convicted of cruelty to two emaciated Doberman dogs

    Reports the conviction and sentencing of Ann Bourke for cruelty to two Doberman dogs, including veterinary evidence on the dogs' emaciated condition, the defence argument, and an ISPCA statement on the dogs' recovery and rehoming.

    convicted, Ann Bourke, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ann Bourke