Larne man sentenced after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure welfare of dogs
A Larne man has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service and imposed with a 15-year Disqualification Order on owning all animals.
Thomas Samways, aged 27, formerly of Gardenmore Place in Larne was sentenced at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 5, after previously pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of a number of dogs.
The charges were brought against Mr Samways by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011. Mr Samways was previously convicted in 2014 for animal cruelty offences and was disqualified for owning animals for five years.
Proceedings followed an investigation by the council’s Animal Welfare Officer who visited Mr Samways’s property in June 2022 following a report that a number of adult dogs and puppies were living in poor conditions at the property. A warrant was executed and three adult dogs and 12 puppies were found to be living in dirty conditions.
Some of the dogs were displaying various health issues and a vet appointed by the council was contacted to attend the property.
The vet provided a report outlining that the three adult dogs were suffering unnecessarily and that the 12 puppies were likely to suffer if the circumstances did not change.
On September 28, 2022, a judge granted disposal of all dogs and all were successfully rehomed via an animal charity.
On August 5, 2024, District Judge Broderick imposed a 15-year Disqualification Order on owning all animals and 200 hours community service on Mr Samways.
Commenting on the case, a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said: “Council gives high priority to the welfare of domestic pets and horses and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements.
"Complaints are investigated thoroughly and where necessary formal action is taken, which may include the service of Improvement Notices, or in extreme cases, seizure of animals. The Council may also prosecute for offences - as in this case - which I hope serves as a warning to anyone who does not take appropriate care of animals.”