A Dublin Man who bought a Bull Terrier puppy that was suffering after its' ears were cut off to take make it look 'more fierce', has been fined.
Stuart Hill, of Oliver Bond House, Dublin 8 was ordered to pay 3,000 euro - most of which was in prosecution costs.
Mr Hill didn't appear for today's hearing but had a legal representative attend instead.
The accused faced a charge under the Animal Health and Welfare Act for neglecting his dog last November.
An inspector for the DSPCA, Tony McGovern, told the court the dog's ears had been 'cropped,' or cut off.
Judge Anthony Halpin asked for clarification and the court heard there is 'no reason whatsoever' for this except to make the dog look 'more fierce.;
The DSPCA inspector added the Bull Terrier was re-homed after a 'number of treatments.'
Defence counsel Luke O'Higgins told the court Hill bought the puppy two weeks beforehand and "the ears were cropped at that stage", the vet's report echoed that.
It was accepted Hill should have "done more" and the court also heard he had no prior convictions and keeps two other dogs 'in the correct manner.'
The Judge said Mr. Hill should have gone to a vet for anti-biotics to relieve the pain the dog was suffering.
He convicted the accused, fined him 500 euro and ordered him to pay 2,500 euro in prosecution costs.
