A man who had his pet rabbit in a briefcase while drinking wine in a Dublin nightclub told Dublin District Court yesterday that he did not realise that he was harming the animal.Jack Gallagher (52) from Cranford Court, Donnybrook, Dublin, pleaded guilty to mistreating the rabbit contrary to the Protection of Animals Act.Garda Niall Murphy of Harcourt Terrace Garda Station, who had been called to the nightclub in the early hours of August 21st, told the court the animal had conjunctivitis at the time but was now in good health and in a new home.Mr Gallagher, an unemployed man, said that he lived alone and had the rabbit for company. The briefcase was very wide and expandable and he never intended to harm or be cruel to any animal.
Judge Brian Kirby imposed a sevenday suspended prison sentence.
Gallagher is also prohibited from owning any animal for two years.