Fine Follows Double Dog Attack

A Newtownabbey man has been fined in court and ordered to pay £500 compensation after his two dogs attacked and injured a seven-year-old boy.

Gareth Bullen, from Carnreagh Bend, was fined £300 at Belfast Magistrates Court and ordered to pay costs of £69 for the offence on July 27, 2009. Mr Bullen was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the injured party.

The court heard how a German Shepherd and Boxer dog belonging to Mr Bullen had attacked and injured the child at Oakley Street in north Belfast last year.

The District Judge also issued a confinement order meaning the dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when out in public.

A council spokeswoman said: "Belfast City Council adopts an extremely robust approach to the investigation and prosecution, where appropriate, of each and every reported dog attack as it is our commitment to protect the health and safety of the public."

In a separate case, an east Belfast man was fined £30 and ordered to pay costs of £66 for allowing his dog to stray.

The dog was found straying at the Holywood Road on March 4, this year.

(BMcC/KMcA)