SHEENA MCCARTNEY FROM CRAIGAVON SENTENCED FOR NEGLIGENT TREATMENT OF DOGS

Sheena McCartney, born on November 15, 1971, of 15 Drumellan Walk, Moyraverty, Craigavon BT65 5NH, was convicted in 2020 of persistent neglect towards her dogs.

She was prohibited from keeping animals for five years following her failure to care adequately for two dogs under her supervision.

McCartney faced three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a Rottweiler with an eye problem, not complying with an improvement notice that mandated her to have the dog treated by a veterinarian, and willful neglect of both the Rottweiler and a lurcher.

The prosecution was brought by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, after a thorough investigation into the matter was triggered by a report from a concerned member of the public regarding the welfare of the dogs.

Initially, McCartney did not respond to the Council’s attempts to contact her. Once she did, an improvement notice was issued, requiring her to arrange veterinary treatment for her Rottweiler’s eye condition.

However, she failed to comply with this order. Due to her lack of cooperation, authorities obtained a warrant to enter her property.

An Animal Welfare Officer, accompanied by a veterinarian, visited McCartney’s residence. The vet assessed the Rottweiler as suffering, and noted that the lurcher was also likely to be suffering given the poor conditions in which he was kept.

Both dogs were immediately removed from her care and later found new homes.

A spokesperson for the Council stated: “The judge in this case saw fit to give a custodial sentence in addition to a disqualification from keeping animals because the defendant persistently neglected her dogs’ needs and flagrantly disregarded animal welfare legislation.”

The sentence included a suspended custodial term for 18 months, an order to pay £84 in costs, and a five-year ban from keeping animals, which will expire in February 2025.