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Ashton Pound owner fined €30k over unlawful use of euthanasia drug
Summary
David Stone, 65, owner of Ashton Dog Pound in Dublin, was fined €30,000 after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found he unlawfully stored and incorrectly administered the euthanasia drug Pentobarbital to two dogs on 24 July 2020. Garda Áine McQuillan reported that the drug was found in an unlocked tin box at the pound's reception, with over 350 ml in total, and that the dogs had been given the drug orally rather than intravenously by a registered veterinary practitioner as required. Stone pleaded guilty to using a premises for the supply of an animal remedy contrary to European regulations, possession of a veterinary‑only drug, and permitting its improper administration. The court noted the drug's lethal potential for both animals and humans, Stone's breach of a €277,000 contract with Dublin City Council, and his lack of prior convictions, and imposed the fine without custodial sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ashton Pound owner fined €30k over unlawful use of euthanasia drug. Charges or matters: using a premises for supply of an animal remedy contrary to various European regulations, possession of an animal remedy designated "veterinary practitioner only" and causing or permitting the administration of an animal remedy contrary to the same regulations on July 24, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 24, 2020 Incident
- 2023-02-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: using a premises for supply of an animal remedy contrary to various European regulations, possession of an animal remedy designated "veterinary practitioner only" and causing or permitting the administration of an animal remedy contrary to the same regulations on July 24, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan said it was a serious matter to have this substance on the premises without the necessary controls before he fined Stone €30,000.
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