Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has brought charges under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended).
Consequently, Mr Conor Craig, a resident of Firfields, Antrim was found guilty at Antrim Magistrates Court on 7 August 2023 following a detailed investigation conducted by the Council’s Enforcement Officers.
Charges were brought against Mr Craig for being the owner of an unlicensed dog which attacked another dog. Council received a report from a member of the public who had been walking their dog at Rea’s Wood, Antrim, on 17 November 2022 when it was attacked by a dog owned by Mr Craig, causing significant injuries as a result.
While Mr Craig did not appear personally in court, he had instructed his legal representatives to plead guilty to all charges. Subsequently, he was fined a total of £125, and ordered to pay costs of £250 plus a £15 offender’s levy. Notably £150 of these costs constitute a compensation order payable to the owner of the injured dog.
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.”