Newry Resident Disqualified from Keeping Animals

A Newry resident was disqualified from keeping animals for five years after being found guilty of animal welfare offences.

Kevin Doyle, a resident of Carrick Vista, Bessbrook, appeared at Newry Magistrates Court on Monday 21 May 2019 charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a husky type dog in his care.

A case was brought against Mr Doyle by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council following a complaint received in March 2018 concerning a dog which was being kept in unsuitable conditions. 

Doyle was charged with the offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal and for failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare needs of the animal were being met.

Following a report from a member of the public, the Animal Welfare Officer visited the property on 28 March 2018 and found a dog in the corner of a room surrounded by substantial amounts of faeces and household rubbish. The dog appeared to be very thin with its ribcage and hipbones clearly visible.  

A veterinary surgeon examined the dog at the property and deemed it to be suffering. The animal was taken into the possession of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council by the Animal Welfare Officer.

Mr Doyle failed to attend court on two occasions but was convicted in his absence. The Council brought the two charges under the provisions of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Doyle received a disqualification order preventing him from keeping animals for a period of five years and was ordered to pay fines of £250 on each of the charges.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “This ruling will hopefully serve as a reminder that anyone who owns a domestic pet, must take proper steps to care for them, as required under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011. The Council will take action against anyone found failing to ensure the welfare of an animal, and if necessary, they will be brought before the courts and dealt with appropriately.  Furthermore, we are pleased to report the dog has recovered to full health and has been successfully rehomed.

“Cases of cruelty and neglect can be reported to our Animal Welfare team who will use enforcement powers to fully investigate all cases and take formal action, which may include the issuing of Improvement Notices, and in the most serious of cases, removing animals and prosecuting offenders.”

The Animal Welfare team can be contacted on 028 3751 5800 or via email: animalwelfare@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.