Belfast Family Members Admit to Animal Cruelty Offences

Belfast family members admit to Animal Cruelty Offences and plead guilty to having equipment in connection with animal fights and causing unnecessary suffering to four puppies.

If the definition of cruelty is causing unnecessary suffering the savagery inflicted on innocent animals in the Kirkwood case is wickedness at its worst.

It has been described by Stephen Philpott, USPCA Chief Executive as one of the vilest examples of premeditated abuse the Charity has come across in many years.

The excellent work of the PSNI deserves recognition. Without their diligence innocent animals would have continued to suffer and the support we were able to provide was willingly given.

The Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 increased the range of penalties both financial and custodial available to the courts. In addition a ban from keeping animals can be imposed.

This case warrants not only custodial sentences but cries out for life bans from owning or keeping any animal.