WAYNE MATCHETT OF BANBRIDGE AND PORTADOWN CONVICTED OVER CRUELTY TO GERMAN SHEPHERDS IN ARMAGH

Wayne Matchett, whose exact age is unknown but who resides on Fort Street in Banbridge BT32 3JD and has strong connections to Portadown, County Armagh, was convicted in 2025 for keeping two German Shepherds in extremely poor conditions.

The dogs, named Dante and Maya, were seized by officers from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on December 2, 2024. Following the seizure, the council filed an application with the court requesting that the dogs be rehomed.

Matchett did not attend the court hearing. During the proceedings, it was revealed that he had contacted the council six weeks earlier, demanding to know the whereabouts of the dogs and whether they had been kept together or separated.

A council representative provided the court with several photographs and a statement detailing the 'fairly horrific' conditions in which the dogs were kept. Although specific details of the dogs’ living environment were not discussed in court, District Judge Eamon King described their conditions as 'absolutely atrocious.'

Judge King noted, 'Mr Matchett is aware of the application and has been put on notice but has failed to attend, therefore the court will make the order.' Ultimately, the court approved the rehoming of Dante and Maya and ordered Matchett to pay the council costs amounting to £5,332.67.

This case was reported by ArmaghI and discussed in the Inside the courtroom NI Facebook page.