LIMAVADY WOMAN DISQUALIFIED FROM KEEPING ANIMALS FOR 10 YEARS AFTER STARVING FAMILY DOG
A woman named Siobhan Best, aged 34 and residing in Greystone Park, Limavady, has been disqualified from keeping any animals for a period of 10 years after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a family pet.The offence occurred on 23 November 2012.
A post mortem examination of the dog revealed that it had starved to death.
Best was also sentenced to a four-month prison term, suspended for three years.
Furthermore, the court was informed that animal welfare officers received a complaint about a dog having died and being left lying with no food or water.
Officers investigated and discovered the dead dog in a kennel in the yard with its ribs visible and in a very thin condition.
The body was found lying dead in a kennel with the door shut, and it was noted that the dog had been very thin, with visible ribs.
Nearby, a bin was knocked over, and plastic bottles lay beside the body.
The post mortem indicated that the dog had starved to death, with tin foil in its stomach suggesting it had been eating from a wheelie bin.
The district judge, Liam McNally, detailed that the dog weighed only 6kg, whereas the normal weight should have been between 20-25kg, and estimated that the dog had been dead for at least five days, possibly up to 21 days.
The defense noted that Best had her own problems and expressed regret for the incident.
The judge emphasized the severity of the case, stating, "I have to say this is an absolutely appalling case," and pointed out that Best must have been aware of the suffering caused to the animal.
