A woman who was linked to a Transporter found with 10 pups at Larne Port has been sentenced at Ballymena Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 24 July 2024.
Shannon Bennett, formerly of Meadowvale, Newtownhamilton, was sentenced to a 10-year Disqualification Order on owning or transporting animals and 200 hours of Community Service.
Ms Bennett previously was to contest the case but did not appear and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest. She was found guilty in her absence in respect of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of 10 dogs, which are offences contrary to section 4 and 9 of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011. She convicted of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of 10 puppies in her care.
The charges were brought against Ms Bennet by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
Proceedings followed an investigation by Council’s Animal Welfare Officers who were called to Larne port in April 2023 after concerns had been raised regarding the condition of puppies found within a van.
Animal Welfare Officers attended the Port and found two crossbreed type puppies, two German Shepherd type puppies and six Labrador puppies. The puppies were contained within a crate that was deemed too small for them.
The van used for transporting the puppies contained no food and had limited water. An independent vet assessed the puppies and found two crossbreed dogs had “haemorrhagic diarrhoea”. All the puppies were found to be underweight and were seized by Animal Welfare Officers.
Shortly after seizure, five of the puppies contracted Parvovirus and died. The Council appointed vet stated in their report:
“In my opinion, all 10 pups suffered due to exposure to parvovirus with only 5 of the 10 surviving. This could have been prevented by ensuring all pups were of an appropriate age to travel, vaccinated, in good body conditions and free from signs of disease prior to transport”.
The remaining five puppies made a full recovery and were successfully rehomed.
During questioning, Ms Bennett gave contradicting stories as to where the pups originated from and how long they had been contained with the van or Ms Bennet’s care.
On 24 July 2024 District Judge Broderick imposed a 10-year disqualification order on owning or transporting all animals and a 200 hours of community service and ordered costs of £160 to be paid.
Commenting on the case a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said:
“Council gives high priority to the welfare of domestic pets and horses and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements.
Complaints are investigated thoroughly and where necessary formal action is taken, which may include the service of Improvement Notices, or in extreme cases, seizure of animals.
The Council may also prosecute for offences such as in this case which I hope serves as a warning to anyone who does not take appropriate care of animals”.