Man banned from keeping animals had a dog due to ‘loneliness and isolation’
A man who had been banned from keeping animals has appeared in court charged with breaching the order.
He appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 15, charged with breach of a disqualification after he was found to have a dog at his home address.
The court heard that on April 29, 2026, police received a report that the defendant was keeping a dog at his Dunmurry home.
It was stated that the defendant had been banned from keeping any animals for five years by Belfast Magistrates Court on February 16, 2022.
Following the anonymous report, police officers attended the home of the defendant, Jordan Wilson, aged 34, whose address was given as Rowan Drive in Dunmurry, and observed the dog in question.
The defendant admitted to police that the dog was his and that he was aware that owning it was a breach of the court order.
A defence lawyer told the court the defendant struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues.
He continued: “This is an offence born of loneliness and isolation.”
He also told the court the defendant had previously been prosecuted for kicking his dog when it lunged at a passer-by.
"He’s aware he was in breach of this banning order and took a chance,” he added.
During sentencing, District Judge Rosie Watters said: “He needs more in his life to keep him busy.”
She added: “I am not going to send him to prison."
Ms Watters ordered the defendant to complete 240 hours of community service.