PAUL REAVEY'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN RATHFRILAND: ANIMAL ABUSE SHOCKS COUNTY DOWN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Rathfriland in County Down, Paul Michael Reavey, born on July 9, 1967, and residing at 23 Lisnaree Road, was found guilty of causing severe suffering to a young Patterdale terrier. The incident, which drew significant attention from animal welfare organizations and the local judiciary, dates back to June 2019 when the USPCA responded to a distress call from a concerned member of the public.

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities discovered an injured terrier-type dog in a state of extreme distress. The animal appeared to have been abandoned underground, left behind by its owner, Reavey. The dog was covered in mud, soaked through, and suffering from serious facial injuries that indicated a brutal attack. The police, specifically the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), seized the injured animal and transported her immediately to the USPCA animal hospital for urgent veterinary care.

Veterinary examinations revealed that the terrier’s injuries were ‘undeniably consistent’ with those inflicted during badger baiting, a cruel and illegal activity. Further investigations by the USPCA, in collaboration with the NI Badger Group, confirmed that the location was an active badger sett, raising suspicions of illegal wildlife persecution. However, the prosecution chose to withdraw the charge of damaging or destroying a badger’s sett to avoid the case proceeding to trial.

The young terrier survived her ordeal and has since been rehomed, offering her a second chance at life after enduring such horrific abuse. Reavey was initially sentenced to four months in prison and fined £750, along with a ten-year ban on keeping animals, which is set to expire in May 2031. Despite the conviction, Reavey’s legal team immediately lodged an appeal, and he was released on bail of £500 pending the hearing.

In a subsequent development reported by the Sunday World on June 21, 2021, Judge Gordon Kerr QC of the County Appeal Court in Newry overturned Reavey’s jail sentence. Instead of serving time, Reavey’s imprisonment was suspended for two years. The court upheld the ten-year ban on keeping animals, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense but considering Reavey’s background of fostering and adopting children as a factor in the decision. The judge remarked that there were “exceptional personal circumstances” that justified suspending the sentence, but warned that any reoffending or involvement with animals would result in the original jail term being enforced.

This case has sparked widespread concern about animal cruelty in the region, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance and enforcement against illegal activities such as badger baiting and animal abuse. The community and animal welfare groups continue to call for stricter penalties and greater awareness to prevent such tragedies from recurring in Rathfriland and beyond.