A 30-year-old man who admitted hunting with a dog on private land in breach of the Wildlife Act has been found guilty and sentenced to a fine at Cork District Court.
Dylan Scannell, of Foster's Haven, Cobh, Co. Cork, appeared before Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court and pleaded guilty through his solicitor Joseph Cadigan.
Sergeant Gearoid Davies said at Killboy, Riverstick, at 10.10am on March 14, gardaí observed a number of men hunting with dogs across two fields.
“They observed three cars parked on the side of the road, each with a dog trailer attached to it. They had at least three different breeds of dogs, as well as a crowbar and a shovel,” said Sgt. Davis said.
“The dogs were hunting off-leash around the field. The land was privately owned.”
Scannell pleaded guilty on March 14, 2021, to a charge of entering land to hunt foxes without permission, contrary to the Wildlife Act, even though he did not own the land. Defense barrister Joseph Cadigan pointed out that the defendant had admitted to the crime.
“Historically, there may have been a time when farmers would have greatly appreciated this type of hunting on their land, but those days are gone and the Wildlife Act does not allow for it,” Mr Cadigan said. Ta.
Judge Mary Dougan fined the defendant €400 for the offence.
