The whistleblower who alerted gardaí to the illegal use of a euthanasia drug on dogs at Ashton Dog Pound has said he is disgusted its owner was fined just 30,000, out of a possible 500,000 fine, when he appeared in court this week.
But, said Conor Williamson, the prosecution of David Stone in the Circuit Criminal Court has again shown he was ‘vindicated’ in blowing the whistle on the illegal use of Pentobarbital on animals in the Dublin pound.
The fine was given to Stone – whose contract with Dublin City Council alone was worth 277,000 – after the court heard how two dogs died after staff administered the drug – which was “commonly administered orally to animals by putting it in their food.”
The maximum penalty for the offences was a three-year prison term and 500,000 fine.
“As regards the fine handed down this week, 30,000, I’m absolutely disgusted by it,” Conor told the Sunday World.
“It’s pocket change given the value of the contracts Ashton Dog Pound had on its books. It’s not a proper punishment in my book.”
In October of last year, Conor was awarded 18,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission after it found he was ‘penalised’ in his employment at Ashton Dog Pound after he reported ‘animal welfare and veterinary pharmaceutical offences’.
The award is being appealed by Ashton Dog...
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