CONVICTED (2016) | Tracy Callander aka Tracy Heaney, born 6 December 1976, of Etna Drive, Ardoyne, Belfast BT14 – allowed her Akita-type dog to starve to death.

The unnamed dog was found emaciated and covered in his own excrement at the back of Callander’s north Belfast home. His b/iody was discovered by animal welfare officers who called to Callendar’s home in May 1015.

A solicitor for Belfast City Council explained that a post mortem on the dog determined that he had died from starvation due to neglect.

During interview Callander admitted not feeding the dog but claimed she did not notice the animal losing weight as she didn’t venture out to the back of her house. She was charged with one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and a further count of failure to meet the needs of an animal.

District Judge Ramsey said the case clearly crossed the custody threshold adding that Callendar had shown a callous disregard for the suffering of her pet.

He said she didn’t go near the dog and failed to take him into her notice.

A defence solicitor said his client was going through a period of significant personal trauma during the time of the dog’s neglect.

Judge Ramsey interjected saying that if Callendar found she was incapable of looking after the dog all she had to do was call the USPCA to come and take him away.

The judge added that it was hard to look past the picture taken by the animal welfare officers showing the emaciated dog covered in his own faeces.

“Starving to death is not a pleasant way to die. Her circumstances made her unable to look after the animal and she was probably unfit to look after herself,” he said.

Addressing Callander directly as he gave her a suspended prison sentence, Judge Ramsey asked her: “Do you realise how lucky you are not to be going to jail?”

Standing in the public gallery, Callendar replied that she was aware she was fortunate not to be sent to prison.

Sentencing | four months in prison suspended for three years; £69 court costs. Banned from keeping a pet or any animal for 15 years (expires February 2031).

Belfast Telegraph

---

Update | 2023

We are advised that Tracy Callander has changed her name to Tracy Heaney and lives in Ashton View, Dumbarton, Scotland G82 5DR.