Fine for owner of a dog that attacked a delivery driver and worried livestock

The proceedings followed an investigation by the Council’s Enforcement Officers, who received a report from a food delivery driver who was the victim of a sustained attack by a German Shepherd type dog owned by Mr McGarrity when attending Mr McGarrity’s property to make a delivery on 2 August 2023.  The incident resulted in considerable injuries to the victim who had to be transported to hospital by ambulance.

Mr McGarrity was also charged with being the owner of a German Shepherd type dog that worried Livestock on land at Carntall Road, Newtownabbey on 23 October 2023.

Mr McGarrity was fined £500 for the offence of being the owner of a dog that attacked a person and £100 for the offence of being the owner of a dog that worried livestock. He was also ordered to pay costs totalling £1271, an offender’s levy of £15 and compensation of £1000 to the victim of the attack. Mr McGarrity was given 16 weeks to pay.

A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council stated;

“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.

“We urge owners to ensure that their dogs are kept under control at all times, and not allowed to stray unaccompanied. This particular case highlights not only the devastating impacts that a dog attack can have in terms of injury to people, but also the significant distress to livestock and their owners.”