ADRIAN BENTLEY AND JACQUELINE CLARKE FROM LURGAN FACE JUSTICE OVER CRUELTY TO COLLIE SKY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Lurgan, Adrian Bentley, born on September 14, 1966, along with the now-deceased Jacqueline Clarke, have been found guilty of neglecting a female collie-type dog named Sky. The allegations against them stem from their failure to provide proper care and the appalling conditions in which Sky was kept at their residence on Avenue Road, Lurgan, Craigavon BT66.

According to reports, the case came to light after a complaint was lodged with local authorities, prompting an animal welfare officer from Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon District Council to conduct an inspection of the property. During the visit, the officer observed Sky in a deplorable state: the dog appeared significantly underweight, and her coat was heavily matted with feces, indicating severe neglect. An improvement notice was issued to Bentley, mandating that he groom and deworm the dog to address her poor condition.

Despite the notice, subsequent investigations revealed that Sky continued to suffer. The council was compelled to obtain a warrant to gain lawful access to the property for a follow-up inspection. During this visit, Sky was found confined in the backyard, which was littered with feces, and her coat remained heavily matted with waste. The conditions were described as diabolical, highlighting the extent of the neglect.

Following the discovery, Sky was taken into the custody of the council and provided with veterinary treatment to address her health issues. The authorities charged Bentley and Clarke with multiple offences under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. These charges included failing to meet the basic needs of the dog, obstructing an Animal Welfare Officer, and Bentley’s specific failure to comply with the improvement notice issued earlier.

In court, both Bentley and Clarke pleaded guilty to the charges. The court sentenced Bentley to a fine of £600 and banned him from keeping animals for six months, a ban that has since expired. Clarke received a fine of £500. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of animal cruelty and neglect in the region, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and enforcement to protect vulnerable animals like Sky.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership and the consequences of neglecting those duties. The community continues to call for stricter measures to prevent such cruelty from occurring in the future, ensuring that animals are treated with the care and respect they deserve.