Councillor's father claims ownership of seized dogs
LATEST Cllr Lovett denies responsibility for animals at centre of animal welfare case
A young Fianna Fáil councillor has denied media reports at the weekend that he was responsible for a number of dogs seized by the local authority in an alleged animal welfare case. Cllr Craig Lovett (27) instead named his father, Martin, as the owner of the dogs; and his father accepted ownership when contacted by this newspaper.
Cllr Lovett told The Anglo-Celt in a message on Monday afternoon that the story in the Sunday World “connecting” him to the animals lifted from a site near Kilnaleck on Sunday, July 18, was “completely false”.
The article claimed the dogs were left unattended in a metal cattle trailer on one of the hottest days of the year, while outside temperatures topped 25 degrees.
Cllr Lovett (27), a former All-Ireland jiving champion who has appeared in TVs ads for Lidl alongside partner Mairead, is a livestock auctioneer and estate agent.
Elected to Cavan County Council to represent the Ballyjamesduff area at the local elections in 2019, Cllr Lovett is a registered seller and supplier of pet animals.
The dogs found, it has been confirmed, were taken by the county dog warden to the local pound at Crossdoney where they were assessed by a local vet. It's understood none of the dogs seized required medical treatment.
Cllr Lovett's father Martin, an electrician by trade, informed this newspaper: “I can confirm I had a visit from the dog warden.”
When asked who owned the dogs found on July 18, Mr Lovett replied: “Me..
“They're my dogs, so that's one owner, myself.”
Neither Cllr Lovett nor his father would clarify, when asked by the Celt, who owned the land on which the cattle trailer containing the dogs was located.
However Martin Lovett did state: “Craig does not own the dogs, and Craig does not own the land.”
Cllr Lovett's father Martin added: “Craig does not own the land and the dogs are mine.”
Asked about the claim that the dogs were left in the trailer, Mr Lovett said he had “no comment” to make in relation to that but stated the condition of dogs found was “absolutely perfect”.
“The dogs have been checked by the county vets and there was no problem with the dogs,” said Mr Lovett who further confirmed he is not a registered dog breeder himself. “I'm not, no.”
He expressed a hope that the dogs would soon be returned to him: “I presume they will, I'm told they should.”
Mr Lovett went on to say: “Hopefully I've straightened the record out for you and hopefully that's how the record will be portrayed.”
Investigations ongoing
In a statement issued by An Garda Siochana, a spokesperson said: “Gardaí are investigating suspected animal welfare offences that reportedly occurred in the Kilnaleck area of County Cavan on Sunday, 18th July, 2021.
“A number of dogs were taken by the Dog Warden to the local Dog Pound. The dogs were assessed by a vet but did not require medical treatment.”
They added: “Garda investigations are ongoing.”
The local authority was contacted in relation to the matter.
A spokesperson said: "Cavan County Council will not be commenting on individual cases."