Desertmartin man in court after police rescued suffering dog from car boot

Before the court was Andrew Gibson (45), of Tobermore Road, Desertmartin, was fined a total of £165 for causing unnecessary suffering to German Shepherd dog.

The court heard that a member of the public alerted police to the welfare of the dog which was left in the car at Station Road, Moneymore, on July 13 last year.

A prosecuting lawyer said police made checks in an effort to identify the owner of the animal which was refusing to respond to them.

She said officers decided to gain entrance to the vehicle to prevent it suffering and the owner was subsequently cautioned.

Gibson, who was not professionally represented, apologised for what had happened.

He explained the dog had been left for his daughter to come and collect but she had got held up in Cookstown. He said he could not get through on the phone as the network was busy.

The defendant added that he would like to thank the police for getting the dog out of the car.

“That was not how you behaved towards police at the time,” remarked District Judge Alan White.

Gibson admitted that he had been cross with police at the damage caused to his car.