CLAIRE LINES OF LARNE CONVICTED FOR DOG CRUELTY AND BITE WOUNDS

Claire Lines, a resident of Larne, was found guilty in court of neglecting and failing to seek treatment for two Staffordshire bull terriers, Jack and Jock, who were discovered with severe injuries. Born on 12 November 1982 and residing at 28 Circular Road, Larne BT40 1HW, Lines faced serious allegations after her dogs were found with up to 80 bite and puncture wounds, some of which were both fresh and old, indicating prolonged suffering.

The incident came to light when Jock was brought into a veterinary clinic in Larne by Lines, who claimed that her dog had been attacked by a Labrador. During the examination, the veterinary staff noticed the extent of Jock’s injuries and, upon shaving him to treat the wounds, uncovered multiple scrapes, puncture marks, and bite wounds across his face, chest, and legs. The severity of Jock’s condition prompted the veterinary staff to contact the council’s animal welfare officer (AWO), who subsequently ordered Jock to be seized due to the extent of his injuries. Lines agreed to sign Jock over to the authorities.

However, she refused to relinquish Jack, and as a result, Jack remains in council kennels. The ongoing legal process and kennelling costs have now accumulated to approximately £7,610. Following the seizure, Lines launched an online petition and gave a press interview in which she accused the council of “stealing” her pets, expressing her outrage at the situation.

During court proceedings, Lines claimed that her dogs had only engaged in a barking match, a statement she also made to her local council. Contradicting her account, the prosecuting barrister revealed that Lines had sent an email to an animal rehoming charity stating, “Long story short, my two Staffies have been fighting flat out for two weeks — I don’t know what to do any more,” suggesting she was aware of the dogs’ serious condition and ongoing conflict.

Lines vehemently denied making such statements, asserting that she had lied to the charity to seek help. Her defense barrister, Michael Smyth, argued that Lines fabricated the story about the dog attack because Jack had existing conditions attached to his license following an incident in 2017, and she feared losing him. The court was told that Lines’ stories were inconsistent, with the district judge remarking that she had “concocted so many stories she couldn’t remember her own lies.”

In sentencing, the judge imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with a fine of £400 to cover the council’s costs. Additionally, Lines was banned from owning dogs for five years, a restriction set to expire in March 2026. At the time of sentencing, she owned two other dogs, named Shep and Storm, and had launched an appeal against the ban.

In an update reported by Sunday Life in July 2021, it was noted that Lines successfully had her five-year ban lifted on appeal after council animal welfare officers revisited her home. The officers reported that her current pets, Shep and Storm, appeared to be in good health and well-fed, although slightly overweight. The presiding judge emphasized that the dogs’ well-being remained protected by the suspended prison sentence, which would be activated if Lines committed further animal cruelty offenses. The judge also expressed hope that Lines had learned her lesson, stating, “There is no excuse for allowing dogs to suffer,” and acknowledged the circumstances but urged her to reflect on her responsibilities as a pet owner.