Council Successfully Prosecutes Dog Owner Following Child Attack

The case was brought under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended). Following an investigation by a Council Enforcement Officer, Ms Geraldine Millen from the Toome area, was identified as the owner of a Central Asian Shepherd-type dog involved in the incident.

Ms Millen was also charged with failing to comply with the control conditions attached to her dog licence. The dog had previously attacked another person in 2025 and was subject to additional restrictions. These required the dog to be securely confined within a building, yard, or other enclosure and to be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public.

Ms Millen pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced at Antrim Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Ballymena, on 25 March 2026. She was present in court and was fined a total of £175. In addition, she was ordered to pay £150 in costs, £150 in compensation, and a £15 offender levy. The Judge also issued a contingent destruction order in respect of the dog.

A Council spokesperson said,

“Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council places a high priority on enforcing dog control legislation. Reports of dog attacks are thoroughly investigated, and formal action, including prosecution, is taken where appropriate, as demonstrated in this case.”