Man convicted of dog attack involving child in Belfast

A man has been convicted over a dog attack in Belfast which injured a three-year-old boy.

Mark McLaughlin, of Prospect Park, was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday over an incident on March 29 this year.

His collie-husky-cross dog attacked the young boy, who suffered injuries to his face and forehead.

Belfast City Council brought the prosecution in the interests of public safety and in accordance with The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order.

Mr McLaughlin pleaded guilty to the offense and was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation, in addition to £139 in legal and court costs.

Meanwhile, in a separate prosecution brought by the council under the same legislation, Eileen Irvine, of Westrock Grove in Belfast, was convicted following an incident on March 24.

Her Bulldog and Lurcher dog attacked and injured a Jack Russell dog in the O’Neills Lane area of the city.

Mrs Irvine pleaded guilty and was fined £250 for the attack and fined a further £90 for not having a permit for her dogs. She was ordered to pay £500 in compensation, along with £89 costs.

Meanwhile, in north Belfast, police used a Taser on two dogs after a woman was bitten on the leg in Belfast’s Upper Canning Street area on Monday afternoon.

Officers had received a report of aggressive dogs in the area shortly before 5pm and when they arrived they saw the two dogs fighting each other.

Officers assessed the dogs posed a danger to the public and used a Taser to “prevent further attacks”, a PSNI spokesperson said, adding that the Police Ombudsman has been notified and the investigation is continuing on behalf of the Belfast City Council dog warden.

A council spokesperson said dog wardens were on site.

“We continue to investigate this incident and cannot comment further while our investigation is ongoing,” she added.