A Craigavon man who kept five dogs on a property without access to fresh water or food has been given a six-month suspended sentence.
Martin Henry of Legahory Court was found guilty of an animal welfare offense before District Judge Trainor of Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 7 June.
Henry was charged with causing unnecessary suffering and neglecting the welfare of animals under Section 4 ‘Unnecessary Suffering’ and Section 9 ‘Ensuring the Welfare of Animals’ of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
On November 6, 2019, a Council Animal Welfare Officer visited a property in connection with a complaint about the welfare of animals kept on the property.
Upon arrival, the Animal Welfare Officer observed five dogs, all living in extremely poor environmental conditions with no access to fresh water or food.
The veterinarian appointed by the council visited the property and certified that the animals were suffering and they were subsequently removed. All of the dogs were voluntarily contracted to the Animal Welfare Service, including a Jack Russell type dog owned by Mark Henry.
Following Henry’s guilty plea, District Judge Trainor sentenced him to six months in prison on three counts of unnecessary suffering and three months in prison on three counts of ensuring animal welfare. Such prison sentences are said to run in parallel and have been suspended for two years.
The judge also ordered a disqualification order prohibiting Henry from keeping animals for a period of 10 years, along with an assumption of costs.
A spokesperson for the council commented: “Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council will continue to investigate any reports of animal cruelty or ill-treatment that are brought to our attention, using all the powers at our disposal to do so. If anyone is aware of such incidents or is concerned about the safety of an animal please let us know on T: 028 3751 5800 or email
animalwelfare@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk to help us protect the animals in our area.
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