Council prosecutes Toome dog owner following dog attack
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a dog owner after a dog strayed and attacked a person.
Following an investigation by a council Enforcement Officer, Geraldine Millen, of Clonkeen Hill, Toome, was identified as the owner of a Central Asian Shepherd-type dog that was involved in the incident, in which the council said the person attacked was a child.
The dog owner was also charged with failing to comply with the control conditions that were attached to her dog licence. The dog had previously attacked another person in 2025 and was subject to additional restrictions. These restrictions required the dog to be securely confined within a building, yard, or other enclosure. It was also to be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public.
The defendant pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced at Antrim Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Ballymena, on March 25. She was present in court and was fined a total of £175.
In addition, she was ordered to pay £150 in costs and £150 in compensation, as well a £15 offender levy. The Judge also issued a contingent destruction order in respect of the dog.
Commenting on the case, a spokesperson for the council said: “Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council places a high priority on enforcing dog control legislation. Reports of dog attacks are thoroughly investigated, and formal action, including prosecution, is taken where appropriate, as demonstrated in this case.”
The case was brought under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended).