DROMARA MAN BANNED FROM KEEPING ANIMALS FOR 3 YEARS AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO CAUSING UNNECESSARY SUFFERING TO FOUR WEST HIGHLAND TERRIER TYPE DOGS.

Mr Paul Smith of Crossgar Road, Dromara was banned from keeping animals for three years at a hearing in Newry Magistrates Court on Monday 7 December 2015.

Mr Smith pleaded guilty to causing the unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of four west highland terrier type dogs for which he was responsible.

Mr Smith was fined £25 in respect of each of the eight charges against him. He was disqualified from keeping animals for three years. He was ordered to pay the Council’s costs for vet bills and kennelling fees in the sum of £1922.57. He was also required to pay legal fees of £100 and Court costs at £19.

The charges were brought against Mr Smith by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011. The charges related to findings following an investigation by Animal Welfare Officers regarding offences in April 2015, which related to the unsuitable conditions in which the dogs were kept and to the dogs not receiving appropriate care which lead to their unnecessary suffering.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Naomi Bailie said, “Council gives high priority to the welfare of domestic pets and horses and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Complaints are investigated thoroughly and where necessary formal action is taken, which may include the service of Improvement Notices or, in extreme cases, the seizure of animals. The Council may also prosecute for offences such as in this particularly harrowing case, which I hope serves as a warning to anyone who does not take appropriate care of animals.”