Pay
Report
Apply
Date: 12 August 2025
At Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday 12 August 2025, Ms Audra Town Goodall of Kernan Drive, Belfast was convicted of offences of causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal.
Belfast City Council took the prosecution after complaints were received that a number of dogs and other animals were being kept in unsuitable conditions at Kernan Drive, Belfast in October and November 2023. Animal Welfare Officers having removed 2 adult dogs, 8 pups and a gecko from property at Kernan Drive on 6 November 2023 with conditions in the property described as very poor, with rooms covered in rubbish, faeces and potentially dangerous objects.
Ms Goodall was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under section 4 and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal under section 9 of The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Ms Goodall was sentenced to 6 months custody for causing the animal unnecessary suffering and 4 months custody for failing to ensure the welfare of an animal to run concurrently, the sentence was suspended for 12 months. Ms Goodall was also ordered to pay £124 legal and court costs.
The Court also disqualified Ms Goodall from owning any animal for a period of 10 years.