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A man who admitted hoarding more than 300 dogs in one of the country’s largest puppy farms was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday.

Jim Kavanagh, from of Raheenleigh in Myshall, Co Carlow, pleaded guilty to 30 charges of animal cruelty. He was also instructed to pay €35,000.

His wife Jenny Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to 30 charges of permitting animal cruelty, was given a 12-month suspended sentence.

The parents-of-five pleaded guilty last October to 30 charges each having initially faced 240 charges.

In passing judgement Judge John McCourt said: “Words fail me to describe the photographs shown in this court. This is the most extraordinary case I have ever dealt with.

“It is extraordinary to find a man coming from farming stock [would] become involved in such a crime.

“You allowed yourself and [your] farm to become a dumping ground for animals from others.

(Image: Dylan Vaughan)

The scene meeting the ISPCA and gardai on that day was something like a biblical [account]. I’m taking into account his early guilty plea, his co-operation with authorities, which saved the court service time and expense.

“I believe you were not born into this world an evil person to cause harm to animals but you were motivated by profit in a bid to make a living but I have to impose a judicial sentence of three years and to pay €35,000 in expenses incurred by the ISPCA.”

Kavanagh, 48, was also banned from keeping animals for the rest of his life.

Judge McCourt said of Mrs Kavangh: “I find it difficult to credit that you did not know something was wrong [at the farm].

“It would not see in removing you from your children so I’m imposing a 12-month suspended sentence and you are not allowed to have dogs for 15 years. You are not a bad person.”

Following sentencing the judge had to call for order in the court as animal welfare activists cheered and clapped his decision.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked tirelessly to rescue 340 dogs and 11 horses from Kavanagh’s premises over nine days with the assistance of its affiliated member organisations and other rescue organisations.

The case was initiated after welfare inspectors and gardai conducted a raid of the premises on April 14, 2015.

The scale of the rescue is the largest the ISPCA had ever carried out.

(Image: ISPCA)

Carlow County Council and the Department of Agriculture were called in and the local authority served the breeder with the first ever closure notice under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010.

Garda Caitriona Dennehy from Carlow Garda Station gave evidence in court of attending the premises of Mr Kavanagh with a search warrant.

There she found numerous dead animals, including dogs, sheep and carcasses of dead horses.

She said Department of Agriculture Veterinary Inspector John Cushen had to euthanise all the live horses due to them being too weak and malnourished to survive.

Prosecution counsel Mr Conor O’Doherty told the court Gda Dennehy noted the animals were living “in absolute squalor” on Mr Kavanagh’s property. She said: “Many had no water, were living in stalls full of faeces and were feeding off dead horses and dogs.

(Image: ISPCA)

“Many were living in cages with one another not giving them any room, there was no ventilation, with many infected with lice and worms.

“The vets on site also pointed out the condition of the dogs and dead horses posed serious public health concerns and transmittable diseases.

ISPCA chief Conor Dowling said yesterday: “It was harrowing. The living conditions these animals had to endure can only be described as squalid. Many of the animals did not have access to water or suitable food.

“The horror and sheer size of the rescue was extremely challengings.

“We are extremely grateful to the external agencies involved.

“I would like to acknowledge the gardai who initiated this operation and who put huge efforts into ensuring that it was brought to the conclusion we saw today.

“We are also indebted to the public who offered their support.”