A WOMAN WHO pleaded guilty to abandoning her dog with no food or water has been fined €200 and banned from keeping animals for four years.

The ISPCA says it is satisfied with the conviction of Donegal woman Natalie McGranaghan after her dog, Megan, was found in the kitchen area of an abandoned property that was heavily contaminated with dog faeces and urine.

An ISPCA inspector visited the house on 12 March after responding to a tip-off and heard a dog inside but could not see it.

Two days later they returned to the house with gardai and found Megan inside and unable to reach a water bucket that was too tall for her.

The dog’s owner initially claimed the dog had been sold but later admitted that it hadn’t.

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ISPCA entered the house after contacting gardaí in March.

McGranaghan pleaded guilty in April and became he first successful prosecution under the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

At Letterkenny District Court yesterday, Judge Paul Kelly fined her €200 plus €400 in costs and banned her from keeping an animal for four years.

ISPCA inspector Kevin McGinley says that Megan was in a bad way when she was found but has now fully recovered: