MARY HAUGHIAN FROM LURGAN CAUGHT ON CAMERA KICKING PUPPY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

In a disturbing incident that shocked the community of Lurgan, Northern Ireland, Mary Haughian, born around 1983 and residing on Hill Street, was caught on CCTV physically abusing a young puppy. The footage clearly shows Haughian kicking a 13-week-old Staffordshire bull terrier puppy twice in the street, an act that drew widespread condemnation once it was shared publicly.

Haughian later pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the defenseless animal. The incident took place along Union Street in Lurgan, where the CCTV footage captured her walking with the puppy before abruptly dragging it and delivering two forceful kicks. The video quickly gained traction on social media, with thousands of shares on Facebook, sparking outrage among animal lovers and concerned citizens alike.

Despite the severity of her actions, Haughian was not sentenced to jail time. Instead, she received a two-year conditional discharge, a legal decision that allows her to avoid immediate imprisonment provided she complies with certain conditions. Additionally, she was prohibited from owning any animals for a period of five years, a ban that was intended to prevent her from harming animals again in the future.

During the court proceedings, District Judge Bernie Kelly issued a stern warning to Haughian regarding her failure to pay the £664 costs associated with kennelling the puppy, which was unnamed in the court records. The judge emphasized that if she did not settle this amount, she could face up to four weeks of imprisonment. Furthermore, Haughian was ordered to relinquish her pet cat, which she also owns, as part of the court’s efforts to ensure her accountability.

Judge Kelly expressed her hope that the puppy would now be raised in a caring and nurturing environment, emphasizing the importance of responsibility towards animals. She stated, “As human beings and fully fledged adults, we have responsibilities in this world such as to the vulnerable, elderly, and children. We also have a duty to animals… that we choose to have about us – there’s a responsibility that goes with animal ownership.”

The distressing footage showed Haughian walking the puppy, then dragging it in front of her before kicking it twice. The incident prompted an immediate response from the police, who later posted images of the rescued pup. The police message indicated that the dog, now named 'Little Pupper,' was safe and in the care of a recognized breeder. The authorities thanked the public for their reports, which led to the rescue, and confirmed that an investigation was ongoing. The owner of the puppy was expected to answer questions related to animal cruelty offenses.

As of the latest updates, Haughian’s court-ordered ban on keeping animals was set to expire in November 2022. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the legal consequences of cruelty in Northern Ireland.