Man whose Japanese Akita dog had to be put down after he refused to take it to the vet avoids jail

Raymond Leckey, from McCandless Street, was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates Court today under the Welfare of Animals Act NI 2011.

Belfast City Council brought the prosecution against Mr Leckey for causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the needs of his Japanese Akita dog on 14 March 2018.

Council’s animal welfare team seized the dog under veterinary advice after Mr Leckey had refused to take it for a veterinary check, as directed by an animal welfare office on 12 March 2018.

The dog had to be euthanised as it was deemed to be suffering.

Mr Leckey was given two four-month sentences, suspended for 12 months, and was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.