WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES
TWO MEN HAVE been jailed in connection with setting a family dog on fire in Armagh in 2012.
Andrew Richard Stewart was handed a 20 month sentence at Belfast Crown Court. He will serve 10 months in custody and the remaining 10 on license.
The 23-year-old was also served with a 30 year ban for ownership to animals, specifically dogs, as well as a compensation fee to the family of €3,315
Stewart from Wellington Parks, Moira, Craigavon, Co Armagh denied the charge for two years but pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary cruelty to an animal last month.
Jamie Downey, 23, of Chestnut Hall Avenue, Moira also admitted a lesser charge of perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 6 months and will serve 3 months in jail.
‘Sickening act’
The three-year-old Collie, Cody, survived for two weeks after the attack but had to be put down when vets concluded she would never fully recover.
The owners of Cody, Natalie and Martin Agnew, said they have found the past two years very stressful.
Thousands of people gave their support to the family on a Facebook page, Justice for Cody.
Natalie said, “The effect it has had on my two boys is still ongoing. They have had to have counselling, sleepless nights, nightmares.”
Many have expressed how they feel about the sentence on social media.
Brought to justice
Lisburn Area Commander Chief Inspector, Jonathan Wilson, said: “The horrific story of how Cody was abused so cruelly touched the hearts of everyone who heard it, with members of the community flocking to Lisburn PSNI’s Facebook page to show their support and indeed their anger.
It was such a tragedy that Cody had to be put to sleep and it upset so many, as the young dog had become a charm for the public’s affections. As a nation of animal lovers, we see our pets as family members. When they are hurt we worry, and when they pass away we grieve.
“It is only right that those who were found responsible for the sickening attack on this beloved family pet were brought to justice and as a result have been punished by the court.
“Animal cruelty will not be tolerated, and this case proves that when we find someone has subjected an animal to cruelty we will work with our partner agencies to help ensure the culprit faces the consequences of their actions.”
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Source: Lesley-Anne McKeown via Press Association" title="">
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