A woman charged on suspicion of running a puppy breeding farm claimed she owned the 32 dogs found on her premises.
Mary McDonagh (41) was charged with 35 offences over causing or permitting animal cruelty and having no microchips in some of the dogs.
Gardai arrested Ms McDonagh at her home in Moyne Park, Baldoyle, Dublin 13 yesterday morning and transported her to Swords District Court.
It is alleged 32 dogs — including Chihuahuas, Jack Russells and Pugs that were estimated to be worth in excess of €150,000 — were seized by North Dublin Divisional Crime Task Force at Moyne Park during garda raids targeting illegal puppy farming on November 16, 2020.
Garda Shane Haughney of the North Dublin Divisional Crime Task Force gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Swords District Court yeseterday.
He told Judge Cephas Power he charged Ms McDonagh at 9.14am with 15 charges under Section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act, 10 charges under Regulation 4 microchipping and 10 charges under Regulation 8, also related to microchipping.
Gda Haughney said Ms McDonagh replied: “They are my dogs” after caution to the charges.
Gda Haughney said there is consent to grant Ms McDonagh bail subject to a number of conditions including to sign on three times a week at a named garda station.
The judge adjourned the case to the Criminal Courts of Justice to be heard on September 1.
