Owner failed to meet dog's needs

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council took Lauren McInally, - formerly of Drumlough Gardens, Lisburn - to court after the dog was found straying.

On October 19 2015 the council collected the dog, which was said to have beenfound straying and to have had a matted coat, and took it into its care. The dog was subsequently claimed by Lauren McInally. The council’s Animal Welfare Service issued Ms McInally with an Improvement Notice, giving her seven days to have her dog examined by a vet and receive the necessary treatment to remove the matted hair.

It also included a requirement for her to provide the dog with a coat to wear until its hair had grown back.

The court heard the Animal Welfare Service repeatedly tried to ensure the terms of the Improvement Notice had been fulfilled but Mrs McInally failed to comply with the notice and the council prosecuted.

At Lisburn courthouse on July 19 McInally was found guilty in her absence. She was ordered to pay costs of £132, fined £200 for failing to comply with the Improvement Notice and a further £200 for failing to meet the needs of her dog, which is an offence under Section 9 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

A spokeserson for Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council said it was committed to ensuring the welfare of domestic pets and horses and it operated a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance with the Animal Welfare legislation.

The spokesperson said, “All complaints are thoroughly investigated and where necessary offenders are prosecuted.”