CONVICTED (2018) | Sandra Mullen, born c. 1961, of 177 Cambrai Street, Belfast, and daughter Julie Mullen, born 17/03/1992, of Cambrai Street, Belfast BT13 3JH – starved two dogs to death.
Sandra and Julie Mullen each admitted a charge of animal cruelty.
Belfast Crown Court heard their unnamed dogs – a Jack Russell and a Staffordshire bull terrier – were found dead behind Sandra Mullen’s home.
The dogs were discovered after an animal welfare officer from Belfast City Council visited the house on 3 October 2016.
A vet who carried out a post mortem on the dogs noted they were both severely underweight, and had died “painful and miserable” deaths.
The judge told the women they were both “utterly unfit” to look after animals due to “wilful neglect”.
A prosecution lawyer told the court that while the Mullens initially denied a charge of animal cruelty, they subsequently admitted causing the dogs unnecessary suffering.
The lawyer said that when the welfare officer called at Sandra Mullen’s home, she claimed the dogs had died the day before.
The older woman, who admitted cruelty towards the Jack Russell, said she had been putting food and water out for the dog.
She also claimed the dog had been “playing happily” the day before it died – which was branded as “utter nonsense” by the judge,
The prosecutor said that when Julie Mullen was questioned about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, she “adopted the same position as her mother”.
Passing sentence, the judge said: “I don’t accept for one minute… they were unaware of the suffering these two animals endured.”
He also said that while he accepted the pair did not wilfully seek to inflict suffering, it was clear both women were “utterly unfit” to care for any animals.
Sentencing: 150 hours of community service each. £250 court costs each. Banned from keeping animals for life.