CONVICTED (2017) | Michael Stephen Conwell, born 14/01/1994, of Slievebuoy Park, Londonderry BT47 4BE – for cruelty to three dogs found with mouth injuries consistent with badger baiting
Conwell’s animal cruelty was uncovered during a police search of properties in the Claudy area of Londonderry as part of an ongoing investigation into wildlife offences.
Inside his property police found three dogs with visible injuries to their mouths and lips.
A lurcher had long-standing damage to the right side of her mouth and damage to her lips. A vet who examined the dog believed the injuries had been inflicted three months earlier and described the lurcher’s condition as poor.
A patterdale terrier also had damage to her lips and scarring injuries, which the vet also believed were two months old.
The third dog, a Cairn-Patterdale cross, had several of her teeth missing as well as injuries to her lips. The vet believed those injuries were between two weeks and three months old.
The prosecutor said although the defendant was neither charged with nor convicted of badger baiting, the vet who examined the three dogs believed that the injuries were consistent with badger baiting.
The three dogs were removed from Conwell’s home by the police and kept in kennels.
The PSNI incurred kennelling costs of £14,000 for the three dogs, all of which have recovered from their injuries and are now waiting to be rehomed after the conclusion of the court proceedings.
The prosecutor said Conwell gave a “no comment” interview to the police following his arrest and gave no explanation as to how the injuries had been inflicted on his three dogs.
Sentencing: three-month prison sentence (increased to four months on appeal, but suspended for three years); ordered to pay £14,000 kennelling costs, reduced to £7,500 on appeal. Disqualified for life from owning animals.