A man who neglected his dog to such a degree that she had to be put to sleep by a vet, has been given two terms of a three month suspended sentence, banned from keeping animals for 10 years and fined £500.
Jamie McDonagh, 25, from Omagh was sentenced on March 27, 2023, after being convicted at Omagh Magistrates’ Court, for
- abandoning his dog without reasonable cause,
- causing unnecessary suffering to the Cocker Spaniel, and,
- failing to ensure her welfare.
The Cocker Spaniel called Lola, had been handed into a local veterinary practice after being found straying in the Omagh area by a member of the public in 2021. Due to her extremely poor body condition and diagnosis of various diseases she was suffering, the vet made the decision to euthanise Lola to put her out of any pain and distress.
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Animal Welfare Officers confirmed that Lola was registered to owner Jamie McDonagh, and had suffered from a lack of care in the last weeks, if not months, of her life. She was malnourished and suffering from several diseases simultaneously.
Sentencing McDonagh, District Judge Kelly:
- disqualified him from owning, keeping or participating in the keeping of animals for 10 years,
- disqualified him from being party to an arrangement under which that person is entitled to control or influence the way in which animals are kept for a period of 10 years,
- sentenced him to three months custodial sentence on two counts suspended for two years for causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the needs of his dog,
- fined him £500 for abandoning his dog without reasonable excuse, and
- ordered him to pay legal costs totalling £218.
The charges were brought against Mr McDonagh by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011. McDonagh was convicted in his absence in February 2023 but later admitted all offences.
Commenting after the proceedings, a spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, said: “The Council gives a 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, the seizure of animals.”
McDonagh was convicted in his absence on the February 27, 2023 by District Judge Kelly in respect of causing unnecessary suffering to, failing to ensure the welfare of this dog and abandoning without reasonable cause, which are offences contrary to section 4, 9 and 14 of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 respectively.
Northern Ireland has no single animal welfare agency where the public can report concerns if they witness the abuse or neglect of a dog. If you suspect an animal welfare issue in your area, here is how you can alert the authorities.
Belfast City
- phone: 028 9027 0431
- email: animalwelfare@belfastcity.gov.uk
- website: Report an animal welfare issue
Eastern region
This region covers Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council; and Ards and North Down District Council.
- phone: 028 92447861
- email: animalwelfare@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
- Lisburn and Castlereagh: click here to report and animal welfare i ssue
- Ards and North Down: click her for animal welfare reporting
Northern region
This region covers Mid and East Antrim District Council; Causeway Coast and Glens District Council; and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
- phone: 028 2563 3134
- email: animal.welfare@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
- Mid and East Antrim website: click here to report animal welfare issue
- Causeway Coast and Glens website: c lick here for animal welfare reporting
- Antrim and Newtownabbey website: click her to report an animal welfare issue
Southern region
This region covers Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
- phone: 028 3751 5800
- email: animalwelfare@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon website: click here to report an animal welfare issue
- Newry, Mourne and Down website: click here to report an animal welfare issue
Western region
This region covers Fermanagh and Omagh District Council; Derry City and Strabane District Council; and Mid Ulster District Council.
- phone: 028 8225 6226
- email: animalwelfare@fermanaghomagh.com
- Fermanagh and Omagh website: click here to report an animal welfare issue
- Derry City and Strabane website: click here to report an animal welfare issue
- Mid Ulster website: click here to report an animal welfare issue
Office hours and emergencies
All emails sent to the above email addresses will only be responded to during office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - to 5pm excluding public and bank holidays. In an emergency outside normal office hours the public are advised to contact their local vet or the PSNI on 101.
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