CONVICTED (2024) | Conor Ward, born c. 1992, of Cranny Avenue, Carnlough, Ballymena BT44 0HA – abandoned five dogs and left them to starve.
In an animal cruelty case described in court as “truly harrowing”, Conor Ward admitted causing unnecessary suffering to several unnamed bull terrier-type dogs who fought with each other after he abandoned them. One dog was killed by the others, who then fed on his corpse in desperation.
Ward’s cruelty came to light in November 2020 when animal welfare officers from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council visited his home after receiving a report about dogs fighting in the back yard.
The property was vacant. There was no food and little clothing, but there was post in Ward’s name.
When investigators looked in the rear concrete yard, they discovered the half-eaten dead dog and four other animals.
The dead dog – a Staffy – was found to have numerous puncture wounds on his neck and back. He had died as a result of “significant trauma to the upper respiratory tract” and one of his hind legs had been eaten.
The four living dogs – three Staffies and an English bull terrier – were all underweight and had no access to food or water or clean bedding. All of them had cuts and wounds of varying ages.
One female Staffy was found “hiding in the back of a kennel and took some coaxing and reassurance” to entice her out. When she finally emerged, there were fresh and bleeding wounds to her face and nose.
Another Staffy was observed eating the corpse of the dead dog and was found to be timid and underweight.
The third living Staffy was given a body score of just 2/9 and had bleeding puncture wounds to her face.
An English bull terrier was found in a pen by herself. Historic scars were found on both front feet, nose, head and carpus regions.
All surviving dogs were nursed back to health and went on to be rehomed.
Defence counsel Grant Powles told the court his client had asked a relative to look after the dogs as he was dealing with “sensitive” personal issues at the time. He added that as a result, Ward turned to “illicit drugs” including cocaine.
Sentencing Ward, District Judge Nigel Broderick told him it was no surprise that having been left with neither food nor water, the dogs began fighting to such an extent that one Staffordshire Bull terrier was killed and the other four, “no doubt starving of food, resorted to eating it”.
Revealing how the dog most likely died as a result of “significant trauma to the upper respiratory tract,” the judge told the court “I cannot imagine a more serious and harrowing case of animal cruelty”.
Although he imposed a six month jail sentence in order to both punish Ward and to deter others, the judge freed him on bail pending an appeal of the sentence.
Sentencing | six-month custodial sentence; total costs of £5,486.62 costs. 20-year disqualification order applicable to all animals. Ward lodged an appeal with a hearing set for 12 February 2024.
Update | 12 February 2024
The custodial sentence imposed on Conor Ward was overturned and replaced with a combination order of two years on probation and 100 hours of community service.
Judge Gerard McNamara told Antrim County Court of Appeal that while it was a “very distressing case” involving cruelty to “defenceless animals”, he was varying the sentence because Ward’s cruelty was passive rather than active.
He was also taking account of other “personal mitigation” as well as Ward’s guilty pleas and remorse.
The 20-year ban on keeping, owning or transporting any animal was affirmed.
