Pet hotel owner sentenced over 'shocking' neglect of almost 40 dogs

Paula McIvor arriving at Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday

A woman who ran a pet hotel and neglected almost 40 dogs in a case branded by a judge as "absolutely shocking" has been handed a suspended 10-month prison sentence.

Paula McIvor, 43, was sentenced at Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to six charges committed between 12 July and 29 August 2023.

District Judge Rosie Watters said that instead of caring for people's pets at Waggies Pet Hotel, McIvor, from the Belfast Road in Glenavy, used the business as a "a licence to print money".

Judge Watters said that despite being told to close her business on 11 August, McIvor kept it open for another three weeks.

"People trusted you with their animals and their pets… and you have to understand how people feel about their pets," the judge said.

The court heard McIvor failed to meet the needs of a golden retriever called Sam, Tonks a border collie, Steve a bichon frisé and poodle cross, and 36 other unnamed dogs.

Alongside charges of failure to ensure the animals' needs were met, McIvor also admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Tonks who had to be put to sleep due to multiple health conditions which were developed while in her care.

Poor conditions

A prosecuting lawyer said concerns were first raised on 8 August 2023, when Steve the bichon frisé was picked up by his owner.

He had stayed at the kennels for 10 days, and his owners said he had lost weight, smelt of urine and his eyes were "gunged-up".

This sparked an investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) and Lisburn City and Castlereagh Council.

The prosecution said the inspection found faeces and bags of rubbish lying around, a strong urine smell, dogs mixing freely, no light in the kennels and no access to water.

It also discovered that the dogs had access to potential hazardous chemicals, sharp edges and bare nails.

Further reports were also received by the owners of Sam, the golden retriever.

When he was collected his coat was matted, he had lost weight, his eyes were gummy and he was thirsty.

The prosecution outlined that when Tonks the border collie was collected, he was lethargic, smelly and had bloody discharge in his eyes and nose.

She also suffered from "dark diarrhoea" and "significant weight loss", the court heard.

Tonks was put to sleep after being diagnosed with renal failure.

'Shame and remorse'

A defence lawyer said McIvor "has expressed her shame and remorse" and she wanted to place her apologies to the victims of her offences on record.

The only thing that saved McIvor from going to prison was her guilty pleas and lack of record, the judge said.

McIvor has been banned from keeping, owning or caring for any animal for life and the judge also granted the deprivation order, empowering the council to seize and re-home the defendant's dog.

McIvor was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to Tonks' owner and a further £500 to the owners of Sam and Steve.

Her 10-month prison sentence was suspended for three years.