Dog put to sleep in Banbridge animal cruelty case
A Banbridge woman has been convicted in court for cruelty to a dog, which resulted in the animal being put to sleep.
Shannon Graham, of Brookfield Meadows in the town, was convicted at Newry Magistrates Court, after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences under Section 4 of the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act for causing unnecessary suffering of an animal.
The prosecution was brought by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council after a report was received concerning the welfare of a dog kept at the defendant’s address in Banbridge.
In a statement, the council said its Animal Welfare Officers attended the property and found an adult male Staffordshire Bull terrier type dog in very poor condition, with open weeping sores over the whole body. The dog was clearly in pain, crying and whimpering and had a noxious odour.
The council’s vet examined the dog and concluded it was suffering severely from a skin condition and recommended that the dog be immediately euthanised to prevent any further suffering.
The defendant was ordered to pay legal and court costs totalling £423.33. A pre-sentence report was requested prior to a sentencing hearing scheduled for February 2026.
A Deprivation Order was granted and an Interim Disqualification Order granted pending the pre-sentence report.
A spokesperson for ABC Council said: “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 seizure of animals.
"The council may also prosecute for offences such as in this case which should serve as a warning to anyone who does not take appropriate care of animals.”
The council spokesperson added that anyone who needed to report an animal welfare concern can telephone 02837 515 800 or send an email to [email protected] (calls and emails will only be responded to during office hours which are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm).
“If an animal requires urgent attention, you may wish to contact a local vet,” the spokesperson said.