Monthly Archives: March 2016

Dogs

Carrickfergus, County Antrim: Nakita Coulter

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CONVICTED (2016) | Nakita Coulter, aka Nakita Gilmore, born 15/12/1989, of Beechfield Avenue, Carrickfergus BT38 7SN – starved her dog to emaciation.

Animal abuser Nakita Coulter / Nakita Gilmore from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland

Coulter had denied failing to ensure the welfare of the dog, known as Ghostie, but was convicted by Laganside magistrates on 15 March 2016.

Pictures of the neglected dog on the day she was found reveal her prominent bones and small frame.

The charge was brought against Coulter by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.

Ghostie was starved to emaciation by Nakita Coulter / Nakita Gilmore from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
Ghostie became skeletal in the care of Nakita Coulter

David Wilson, a spokesman for animal welfare charity the USPCA, said that the council should consider appealing the sentence as it could be viewed as not being tough enough.

“The USPCA would regard this as being a case where the sentence is very lenient and we feel the council welfare should look again at the court’s decision and if possible appeal the sentence,” he said.

“The maximum sentence for that type of offence is five years custodial, though I am not suggesting that is applied here, but I do think if sentences are to act as a deterrent they will have to be handed down on that basis.

“It could be pointed out that banning [Coulter] from keeping pets is available to the court.”

Abused dog Ghostie is thriving in his new home
Abused dog Ghostie is thriving in her new home

Mr Wilson added: “A person who allows an animal to suffer needlessly in that manner should be banned from keeping animals for life.”

Sentence: conditional discharge and £366 council costs; NO ban.

Belfast Telegraph

Cats, Dogs, Fish, rabbits, Serial Animal Abusers

Darlington, County Durham: Pearl Barker

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CONVICTED (2016) | Pearl Barker of Ardmore Drive, Darlington DL1 3QB – neglected a German Shepherd dog and twice breached her disqualification order.

Barker had a cat and dog removed from her property in 2008 after an RSPCA vet found her German Shepherd had been neglected.

The dog weighed around 10kg less than the normal weight for his breed and he was found to have a severe flea problem which had not been treated.

The RSPCA issued a disqualification order to stop Barker from keeping any animals from 2008 until November 2018.

But two inspections at Barker’s flat in 2012 and 2015 found she had rabbits, cats and goldfish in her property.

Her original ten-year ban was extended by one year, but in 2016 Barker appealed to have her disqualification overturned.  She told the court she missed the company of animals and hoped magistrates could see she had turned her life around.

But the RSPCA recommended that the ban should remain in place while Barker continues to adjust aspects of her life.

Convicted animal abuser Pearl Barker from Darlington, UK

Prosecutor Kevin Campbell said: “This application is premature.

“The law is here to protect the animals and this case is not about her, it’s about the animals – we’re looking out for them.”

Chairman of the bench, Ruth Dent, said: “We’ve judged your application very carefully and while we realise you’ve made changes we feel this application is premature.”

Barker was told she must serve the rest of the ban until at least November 2017 before she can apply to own animals again.

Northern Echo

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

North Belfast: Robert Porter

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#MostEvil | Robert Porter, born 26 May 1985. of 13 Tyndale Grove, Belfast BT14 8HP – starved his pet husky to death and left his body in his kitchen for four months.

Dog killer Robert Porter from Belfast

On May 20, 2014, an animal welfare officer went to Porter’s previous address in King William III Crescent, Maghera, following a complaint. Inside, he was immediately struck by the smell of a decomposing body. He found the remains of the dog, Prince, in the kitchen, and noted the animal was very thin.

Further searches of the house uncovered rubbish, including empty tins of dog food.

Prince was found starved to death
Saddest sight: Husky Prince was found starved to death in Robert Porter’s kitchen

Following a post-mortem examination, a pathologist found Prince was malnourished and weighed just 11kg. He had been dead for some time, his skin was dry and there was thick mould inside his mouth. There was no food in his stomach and the dog did not have a disease.

The post-mortem foundhe died from starvation and dehydration.

During police interview, Porter said he was Prince’s owner. He admitted the dog had been dead for four months before he was found and that he had not been fed for several weeks before he died.

District Judge Alan White described it as a “shocking” way for an animal’s life to end. He told Porter that he had seen photos of the dead dog which were “disgusting”.

Sentencing: 80 hours of community service; 12 month probation period; £266 costs. Disqualified from keeping any animal for five years (expired March 2021).

Mid-Ulster Mail