Dentist Handed Suspended Prison Sentence and Lifetime Animal Ban in Harrowing Animal Neglect Case

Wicklow, Ireland – A former dentist has been handed a suspended sentence of four and a half years and permanently banned from owning animals following what the presiding judge described as “one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect” he had encountered.

Karen Saunderson, 68, originally from Liverpool and residing at Templelusk, Avoca, County Wicklow, pleaded guilty to ten charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The offences stem from the deplorable conditions in which numerous animals were discovered at her rented property on November 19, 2016. The charges included causing unnecessary suffering, neglect, inadequate feeding, and failure to ensure the health and welfare of the animals under her care.

The court heard that Saunderson’s property was allegedly used as a drop-off point for unwanted animals, a claim raised by her legal representatives. Upon visiting the site, Gardaí and an animal welfare inspector reported extreme ammonia fumes from animal urine so overpowering that it caused burning eyes.

Chief Inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) testified to the horrifying scene: 43 dogs, five horses, a pig, and a wild boar were discovered in various states of distress. A severely overweight pig, unable to move and with no access to water, was euthanised on humane grounds the same day. In another case, a mastiff suffering from a withered leg was put down a week later.

In one particularly harrowing account, Dowling described opening the door to the loft area where 31 dogs—ranging from puppies to large breeds—spilled out, living in their own filth. A large pool of what was believed to be dog urine covered the floor. “I could not breathe, and it made my eyes burn,” Dowling said.

A German Shepherd later gave birth to nine pups, none of which survived due to severe deformities. However, many of the remaining dogs and all of the horses were successfully rehomed.

Dowling confirmed that while there was no indication of commercial breeding, the scale of neglect was difficult to rationalise. He cited poor veterinary care, severely overgrown claws, chronic arthritis, untreated injuries, and a general lack of water and food across the premises. All the horses were undernourished and suffering from common equine skin infections like rain scald and mud fever.

Judge Patrick Quinn expressed dismay over how the situation had been allowed to deteriorate for so long, stating, “Somebody must have known.” He questioned why neighbours or veterinary visitors had not raised concerns sooner.

The court heard that Saunderson had relocated to Ireland while on a career break from dentistry amidst ongoing regulatory proceedings with the UK’s General Dental Council. Her legal team argued that she had been financially strained, vulnerable to exploitation, and overwhelmed by the number of animals she accumulated due to her soft-hearted nature.

Prosecuting counsel James Kelly noted that despite the offences taking place in 2016, Saunderson only entered guilty pleas in January 2025, citing repeated medical claims of unfitness to stand trial.

Judge Quinn acknowledged that the defendant’s life had deteriorated alongside the animals in her care, adding, “It is clear she became overwhelmed, but the result was absolute squalor.” He dismissed the relevance of claims that she had been manipulated or was not the sole owner of the animals.

In addition to the suspended custodial sentence, Judge Quinn ordered Saunderson to pay €15,000 in costs and imposed a lifetime prohibition on animal ownership.