A 54-YEAR-OLD man who received a one-month jail term for kicking a Pomeranian dog that later died from its injuries is to appeal the sentence.

Ballyshannon District Court was told that Martin McGonigle, of Finner, Belleek was wearing steel toe-caps when he kicked the 11-year-old animal, called Millie, belonging to Patsy Quinn at Doobally, Ballyshannon on February 13, 2017.

Judge Kevin Kilrane imposed a one-month sentence for cruelty and causing unnecessary harm to the dog.

He also fined McGonigle 300 euro for assaulting Patsy Quinn and causing him harm.

The judge said: “Without any provocation but by proxy hatred for the Quinns he took his ill temper and viciousness out on a dog.”

He added: “This man is quite a dangerous man when his temper is raised and he is not remorseful.”

Judge Kilrane said the defendant had engaged in a “tissue of lies” from beginning to end.

The defendant told the court he had “flicked the dog with his boot” and that it was still alive after a melee with Patsy Quinn and his son Kevin.

He said he had varicose veins and the dog stripped its teeth at him and he acted in self-defence.

Superintendent Colm Nevin told the court that the Quinns had never received any apology.

The court was told the families did not get on.

Meanwhile, defence solicitor Rory O’Brien said his client was a part-time farmer who was also upset as he had not intended to kill the dog.

He told the court that the defendant, who had no previous convictions, deeply regretted what happened.

In evidence, Patsy Quinn (74) said Martin McGonigle got out of his vehicle and was shouting at himself and his son Kevin.

The witness denied that his son Kevin had been blocking the road for 10-12 minutes or that he and Kevin were sniggering at the defendant.

He said that, when the defendant came back, Millie walked towards him.

“He kicked her and the force of the kick sent her up off the ground.

“This upset us and Kevin stepped in and I stepped in front of Kevin,” Mr. Quinn said.

The court was told the defendant then punched Patsy Quinn and knocked him to the ground.

He suffered facial injuries and had to have his nose re-aligned in Sligo University Hospital.

A subsequent veterinary report read out in court stated that Millie died as a direct result of the injuries, outlined as “severe trauma in the abdominal region such as would be consistent with kicks”.

McGonigle is appealing the sentence to the circuit court and has been released on bail.