Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A LIMERICK WOMAN has been fined after an ISPCA inspector discovered her dog with packing tape around his mouth.
The case, heard before Newcastle West District Court last Tuesday, saw Elena Satalkina of Towerfield, Croom, County Limerick convicted of offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
The case related to a visit made by ISPCA Inspector David Walsh to the defendant’s property on 16 February 2016.
Walsh gave evidence to the court of how he viewed a Bassett Hound type dog in the back garden of the dwelling house. He described seeing the dog with its mouth taped tightly with packaging tape. He said the dog was whimpering and was scratching at the tape with its paws in an attempt to dislodge the binding. He noted that the dog was in a stressed state.
He gave evidence that he subsequently interviewed Satalkina under caution where she admitted that she had taped the dog’s mouth because she had no proper muzzle to put on the dog. He told the court that the defendant informed him that the basset hound was attacking another dog and, in the absence of a muzzle, she had to tape its mouth.
Satalkina admitted that she taped the dog’s mouth but claimed that this was a temporary measure to allow her to go to the town in Croom and buy a muzzle.
She disagreed with prosecuting counsel that she could have removed the basset hound from the back garden to some place in the house to give her time to buy a proper muzzle, rather than taping the dog’s mouth and causing the animal considerable distress and discomfort.
Although the case was contested, having heard all of the evidence, Judge Mary Larkin was satisfied to convict and imposed a fine of €250 in respect of each summons. She also ordered that Ms Satalkina pay costs of €250 to the ISPCA.
Members of the public can report animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA by contacting the National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Not banned from owning animals?
Does she still have the dog?
It doesn’t say if the dog was removed.
@John Abelardo: She works as a freelance dressage coach and trainer, so she probably works with animals daily.
so share her pic on fb and shame her.
@John Abelardo: she has multiple dogs, check out her fb
Shes absolute $€um ! And so is the judge. Disgraceful measly fine giving out.
What good will shaming her do? It doesn’t even matter who did it? Why do people think shaming someone is a solution to anything? What matters is what was done!
Because it will affect her living.. she works with animals. It’s a start not a solution. .relax. I’m a massive animal lover and have 5 myself.
Then all the more reason it should have been treated more seriously by the court. A dog left in a garden with a muzzle on is almost as bad – how would he be able to drink?
Your 1st time on the Journal?
Of course we all disagree with her actions but now you’re encouraging online bullying.
Are you bloody serious she should be sacked
I am serious. We need effective legislation and proper sanctions, not online bullying and harassment.
I wouldn’t dream if bullying anybody. I like others am outraged to see ANOTHER case of abuse go unpunished effectively.
Yet you repeatedly encouraged others to shame her on Facebook so that it would damage her ability to make a living! That sure sounds like bullying to me. It’s reprehensible and unhelpful. If you want real change you might be better off contacting your local representative, writing to the Minister for Justice or supporting an animal welfare charity.
I have been volunteering in shelters and rescuing and rehoming animals for many many years! I’ve dedicated all my free time and not so free time to it. So find someone else to pick on!!!
I’m not picking on anyone, simpy pointing out how the tone of comments on this thread are as bad as the act that people are giving out about. You don’t see reputable welfare charities speaking like this because it does no good. If more people took appropriate action to bring about legislative change rather than post vile comments online then something worthwhile might actually happen for animals in this country.
I’ve fought my whole life for animal rights.
@Aaron Roche: I think she has changed her name to Jelena Russian Dressage. Should not be allowed near animals full stop!!!
F#cking bitch! The owner, not the pup!
Derisory fines! She should be fined a few thousand for each offence. At least then it might act a a deterrent
Something tells me that this tramp will be moving or “taping” her letter/post box shut after her address has been divulged to the general public!
The poor dog. The woman should have been banned from owning ANY animal in the future. Why have a dog if you aren’t going to look after it properly?! The mind boggles…
The punishments in Ireland for animal cruelty are ridiculously lenient. Makes my blood boil.
There should be register for sickos like this one. Something as simple as a website where anyone can log on to see the name, photograph of the person and details of their crime.. €250 fine is too lenient.
Set it up – great idea.
A youngfella got jailed for 2 years yesterday because the bank lodged 20,000 into his account and he spent it. This woman caused suffering to an animal and gets a fine???????
Absolutely disgusting.
And she is a a freelance dressage coach and trainer, so she works with animal quite a lot! She’s listed on http://www.horsesportireland.ie/coaching/apprentice-coaches-level-1/ Hopefully she isn’t as cruel to the horses she trains.
name and shame all over fb
Are you serious? ? ? ? ? Lock her up and get that poor dog out of there! She’s a low life! What a weak system. Poor defenceless dog. Find him a family who will love him and include him..not this monster who keeps him out the back. It’s winter!
Probably not the best idea in the world to print her house number in a public forum.
@Peter Cavey:@Peter Cavey:Pity dogs can’t read so.
Courts make it public for a reason
There are plenty of animals in Leinster house that cud do with having their mouths taped up.
@Alan Cook some people cannot get away from making silly comments regarding above which has nothing to with Leinster House.
Tape her mouth up and leave her a few nights out in the cold. Vile creature left creature
Vile ‘person’ should be banned from keeping any animals.
Though what that woman did was despicable, her home address should not have been posted online by the reporter who wrote this article. If any nut should try and impose there own form of justice he will have had a hand in it. Really worrying. Very irresponsible.
@Mark Dee: Her address, email and phone number can be found easily online anyway.
Addresses are always posted in court reports. She broke the law so she’s not entitled to anonymity.
Bitch should be locked up and taped up too!!!!!not the dig the so called “human”
She’ll be well aware now that the public are watching her every move which can only be a positive outcome for any animals under her care.
I could be wrong but I believe this woman works with animals , do the search online. I don’t think it was a good idea to post name and address but hey she had it coming
So what?
@Eric: the dog can’t eat or drink and imagine what it was like for the dog when that tape was removed – the hair being pulled out as it was ripped off him. She had alternative ways to control the dog – including placing the dog in the house or even chaining up the dog until she got the proper equipment.
Also ask yourself why the ISPCA was out to her house that particular day, was there a history there?
Fair play to whoever is moderating posts today. Glad to see the racist trolls being muted
@Fox in the Box: I can only see one racist comment, how many do you count?
@Aaron Roche: Update: I see none now! Ah so you weren’t being sarcastic?
@Fox in the Box: I’lll get my coat.
@Fox in the Box: If only we could tape their mouths shut
Only fined 250 euro and not banned for life from having any animals. What message does that send out. Disgraceful
People can be really evil and no other animal behaves like people?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/peoplesdaily/article-4109428/Chinese-woman-failed-return-newly-purchased-cat-pet-butchered-skinned-dumping-carcase-outside-shop.html
I wonder would she like her mouth tapped shut. What I am saying she’s probably into S+M A real bitch is this one.
have your say