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14/10/2022

Jail sentence for owner of unlicensed dog that attacked woman

A Parkgate man whose unlicensed dog attacked and injured a woman has been jailed for one month.

Charges were brought by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended). As a result, Mr Pearce Armstrong of Ballywee Road, Parkgate was found guilty at Antrim Magistrates Court on October 11, 2022.

Mr Armstrong was charged with being the owner of an unlicensed Akita type dog, being the owner of an Akita type dog that attacked a person and being the owner of an Akita type dog that worried livestock.

The proceedings followed a thorough investigation by the Council’s Enforcement Officers, who received a report from a member of the public who had been walking her horse on the Ballywee Road, Parkgate, on December 1, 2021 before being attacked by the dog belonging to Mr Armstrong. The incident resulted in considerable injuries to the woman.

Mr Armstrong entered guilty pleas to all charges, was fined £100 and sentenced to a total of one month imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay costs totalling £526.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Alderman Stephen Ross said: “The Council gives a high priority to the investigation of all offences under dog control legislation.

“Reports of attacks on people and animals are investigated rigorously and where necessary formal action is taken, such as prosecution for offences as in this case.”