Pay
Report
Apply
Date: 20 Aug 2024
Mr Joseph McWilliams of Upper Meadow Street, Belfast at the time of the offence has been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog at his address in Belfast on Monday 1 August 2022.
Mr McWilliams was also convicted of operating a dog breeding establishment without a licence at premises on Upper Meadow Street in and around August 2022.
At Belfast Magistrates Court today (Tuesday 20 August 2024) Mr McWilliams was sentenced under section 4 of The Welfare of Animals Act.
Belfast City Council took the prosecution after visiting premises at Upper Meadow Street on Monday 1 August 2022. Animal Welfare Officers entered a property and removed a Bully type dog which had an untreated wound to the muzzle. The dog was taken for examination by a veterinarian and had to undergo emergency surgery to treat the facial injuries.
Animal Welfare Officers then entered further premises on Upper Meadow Street on Tuesday 2 August 2022 under warrant and found several dogs and pups being kept at the addresses.
Mr McWilliams was handed a 9 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months for causing unnecessary suffering to the Bully type dog.
Mr McWilliams was also convicted of operating a dog breeding establishment at an address on Upper Meadow Street without a licence from the Council and received a further 5 month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Additionally, Mr McWilliams was ordered to pay legal and other costs totalling £722 and disqualified from owning all animals for a period of 10 years.