Mr Mark Henry and Ms Hannah Henry of Legahory Court, Craigavon have been found guilty at a hearing in Craigavon Magistrates Court on Tuesday 5 April 2022 having been charged with animal welfare offences under Section 4 & 9 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 for causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of animals. Mr Mark Henry was also charged with breaching an earlier disqualification order by keeping a Labrador crossbreed type dog. A third party, Mr Martin Henry has had his case adjourned for sentencing until 3 May 2022.
Mark Henry was sentenced to a community service order of 200 hours, a 3 month custodial sentence suspended for 2 years and a disqualification order for a period of 10 years in addition to payment of costs of £160.
Hannah Henry was sentenced to a 2 year probation order and a disqualification order for a period of 10 years with total costs of £130.
On 6 November 2019, Animal Welfare Officers from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council visited a property in relation to a complaint alleging that Mark Henry was keeping animals contrary to a disqualification order issued at Craigavon Magistrates Court in February 2018. The complaint also alleged concerns regarding the welfare of the animals.
On arrival the Animal Welfare Officer observed five dogs all of which were living in extremely poor environmental conditions. A vet was requested to attend and determined the animals were suffering and as a consequence were removed.
All of the dogs were subsequently voluntarily signed over to the Animal Welfare Service, including the Labrador crossbreed type dog owned by Mark Henry. The remaining dogs were owned by Hannah and Martin Henry.
A council spokesperson commented: “We will continue to investigate all instances of animal welfare concerns brought to our attention and will use all enforcement powers available to us to take action against anyone guilty of causing neglect or cruelty to animals. We would also ask the public if they have any concerns regarding the safety or welfare of an animal to report it to the council on T: 028 3751 5800 or email ”
