Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has brought charges under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended).
Consequently, Mr Jaroslan Bednarek, a resident of Glencraig Manor, Antrim at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty at Antrim Magistrates Court on 28 June 2023 following a detailed investigation conducted by a Council Enforcement Officer.
Charges were brought against Mr Bednarek for being the owner of a dog which attacked a person and for the contravention of control conditions attached to the licence of a dog.
A report was received by the Council from a member of the public who had been cycling in the Glencraig Manor area of Antrim in September 2022 when A German Shepherd type dog being walked by Mr Bednarek attacked, biting her leg and pulling her off her bike and to the ground.
She was left with considerable injuries and required medical treatment.
The dog in question had previously attacked a person in September 2019 and was subject to additional control measures requiring the dog to be on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public.
Mr Bednarek was present in court and entered guilty pleas to all charges. The case was adjourned to 23 August to allow for a pre – sentence report.
Subsequently, Mr Bednarek was convicted on both charges and was handed a 3 month custodial sentence, suspended for 2 years. He was fined £500, ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to the injured cyclist and ordered to pay legal costs of £322. He was given 26 weeks to pay.
The Judge made an automatic destruction order in respect of the German Shepherd.
Mr Bednarek indicated his intention to appeal the sentence and the destruction order has been suspended pending this outcome.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Mark Cooper said:
“The Council places a strong emphasis in the investigation of all offences under dog control legislation. Incidents involving attacks on people and animals are investigated rigorously and formal action, such as prosecution is taken, as demonstrated in this particular case.”