Co Armagh man in court accused of abandoning two dogs and causing unnecessary suffering
A Co Armagh man appeared in court today accused of abandoning two dogs who were allegedly found starved to death inside crates.
Standing in the dock of Craigavon Magistrates Court, 47-year-old Timothy Beggs confirmed that he understood the two charges against him, alleged to have been committed on 7 August this year.
Beggs, with an address at Sloanhill Court in Lurgan, faces one count of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and one count of abandoning animals “for which you were responsible.”
While a police officer gave evidence that Beggs could be connected to the charges, a prosecuting lawyer asked for the case to be adjourned for a month.
The alleged facts were not opened today but reports at the time suggested that police and animal welfare groups found two dead dogs, locked inside animal crates in a house in Lurgan.
It was alleged that the animals had no food or water.
In a police statement, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Chief Inspector Caldwell said: “We know the public want answers about these deaths, but we must respect due process. The role of police is to investigate the circumstances and provide evidence to the Public Prosecution Service for review.
“Until court proceedings have concluded, we would urge the public not to speculate or comment on social media – to do so may jeopardise the prospect of a fair hearing.”
In court today, District Judge Michael Ranaghan released Beggs on his own bail of £300 with a condition that even on a temporary basis, he is not to be in charge or have possession of any animal.
Adjourning the case to 7 October and granting legal aid, the judge warned Beggs that his bail “must be complied with”.