Warning issued as dog-attack owner fined for order breach

Kevin McBarron of Ballinderry Road, Aghalee was fined recently at Lisburn Magistrate’s Court for breach of a Control Condition Notice on his dog.

The dog first attacked another dog and a person in 2013, after which a Control Condition Notice - stating that he must securely confine the animal - was imposed on McBarron under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983.

However, the court heard, in a further incident this year, the same dog strayed and attacked another dog.

McBarron having failed to abide by the Control Condition Notice, in that he did not take reasonable steps to ensure his dog was kept in a secure environment, the court fined him £550 and ordered that he pay £232 costs and a £16 levy.

Chairman of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s Environmental Services Committee, Councillor Brian Hanvey, said, “The dog owner, who already had a Control Condition Notice placed on his dog, and with no thought of the consequences, continued to ignore the requirements placed upon him to keep his dog securely confined, leading to his dog straying and attacking another dog.

“I hope that this incident will act as a deterrent for others and protect the public from further breaches of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983.

“Dog owners must take responsibility for their actions, abide by the law or deal with repercussions.”