MARK AND HANNAH HENRY FROM CRAIGAVON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY

In April 2022, a disturbing case of severe animal neglect was brought before Craigavon Magistrates Court involving siblings Mark and Hannah Henry, whose treatment of their dogs shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike.

Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor presided over the case, delivering a stern condemnation of the acts committed by the Henry siblings. He described the evidence presented as “a litany of the most horrible acts a human being can carry out towards animals,” emphasizing the gravity of the cruelty inflicted upon the animals involved.

Testimony and evidence revealed that the conditions within the Henry family home, located at Legahory Court in Craigavon, were appalling. The court was told that the environment was filled with an overwhelming stench of faeces and urine, making it almost impossible to breathe comfortably inside the residence. The home was reportedly cluttered with rubbish on the floors, and there were no dog beds or proper living arrangements for the animals. Numerous rooms contained soiled bedding, faecal matter, and a pervasive smell of urine, indicating neglect and a complete disregard for the animals’ basic needs.

Inspectors found that the dogs, which included a Jack Russell, an Akita, and two Shih Tzus, were in a deplorable state. The Shih Tzus’ coats were severely matted, and both animals exhibited signs of skin infections and lesions on their tails, bodies, and heads. Their body condition scores were alarmingly low, with one scoring a mere one, indicating extreme emaciation, with visible protruding spine, ribs, and hips, a clear sign of severe malnutrition or chronic illness. The Jack Russell was assessed at a slightly better score of three but still showed signs of neglect.

Further investigation uncovered an overgrown dog pen at the rear of the property, where an Akita cross was chained to an eight-foot chain, attached to a kennel that was neither waterproof nor large enough for the dog to fully stretch out. The dog was deprived of access to water and food, and the same neglect was evident for the dogs kept inside the house. None of the animals had been taken to a veterinarian or groomer, and their nails had never been clipped, highlighting ongoing neglect.

In addition to the neglect within the home, the court heard that Mark Henry was in breach of a previous disqualification order. In March 2016, he was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to ponies on land at Burnside after a concerned member of the public reported the animals to authorities. Vets found one young pony in a distressed and emaciated state, which was subsequently euthanized to prevent further suffering. The other ponies were tethered in conditions that prevented them from accessing adequate food or water and were seized by authorities.

Mark Henry was fined £600 and received a ten-year ban from keeping animals. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,950 and court fees of £17. Despite this, the court found that his ongoing neglect, including the conditions of the dogs, was a continuation of his previous cruelty. The prosecution argued that his actions, or lack thereof, amounted to a form of cruelty comparable to direct abuse.

In sentencing, Deputy Judge Trainor ordered Hannah Henry to complete a two-year probation period and mandated that Mark Henry perform 200 hours of community service. Additionally, Mark Henry received a three-month prison sentence for breaching his previous disqualification order, but this sentence was suspended for two years. Both siblings were barred from keeping animals for ten years, and each was ordered to pay £130 in court costs. The sentencing for their father, Martin Henry, aged 67, who also pleaded guilty to causing suffering to some of the dogs and failing to meet their needs, was adjourned until 3 May, as the pre-sentence report was not yet available.

Judge Trainor’s remarks underscored the severity of the case, stating, “They’re sat in a house persistently watching animals suffer — what’s the difference between that and striking them?” He emphasized that neglecting defenseless animals was a serious crime, equating passive neglect with active cruelty. The case has drawn widespread condemnation and highlights the ongoing issues of animal welfare neglect in the Craigavon area.