NEWTOWNABBEY WOMAN ESCAPES JAIL FOR ANIMAL NEGLECT
A woman from Newtownabbey narrowly avoided imprisonment after abandoning a gecko, two adult dogs, and a litter of puppies.At Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday, Audra Town was sentenced but her six-month jail term was suspended for one year by District Judge George Conner.
Alongside this suspension, the judge ordered her to pay costs of £124 and prohibited her from owning, controlling, or transporting any animals for the next decade.
Town, who resides on Kernan Drive, pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering and neglecting to meet the animals' basic needs on 11 October 2023.
The court was told that although concerns were raised by neighbours on that date, the animals—two adult dogs, eight puppies, and a gecko—were only seized in early November.
An animal Welfare Officer (AWO) made several attempts to investigate, visiting the property after an initial call but was turned away as Town was leaving to get a taxi, and instructed to return later.
Subsequent communications included a voicemail from Town claiming she was going on holiday with the animals, along with a text message supporting this.
By 30 October, further complaints led to multiple visits and complaints from neighbours about constant barking and animal neglect.
Arriving with a warrant, authorities found the animals living in filthy, rubbish-strewn rooms, with the dogs and puppies in dire conditions, including some dangerous rubbish.
The animals showed signs of severe malnourishment, and the gecko was found without access to food or water.
The defence acknowledged the seriousness of the case and stated that Town has since sought mental health support and renovated her home.
Judge Conner noted that although the case warranted jail time, he chose to suspend the sentence considering the mitigating circumstances.
