Family in court over animal fights

Published Thursday, 02 August 2012

Six members of the same family have appeared in court following a police investigation into suspected animal cruelty and illegal dog fighting.

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Jerimiah Samuel and Cathy Kirkwood, both aged 41 and from Parkgate Crescent, Belfast, face a series of charges following raids on properties in the city.

Also charged were their sons Gary Kirkwood, 18, Ryan Kirkwood, 20, Chris Kirkwood, 21, and Wayne Kirkwood, 19, all of Island Street, Belfast.

The sons are also accused of involvement in the alleged racket.

Alongside them in the dock at Belfast Magistrates' Court were 18-year-old Jamie Morrow, of McAllister Court, and Daniel Scott, 32, of Tower Court, both in Belfast.

Eight people six members of the one family have appeared in court on animal cruelty charges - almost 200
— Sharon O'Neill (@sharon_utv) August 2, 2012

They were arrested in an operation carried out with officers from the USPCA last November.

Several dogs and equipment were taken away from houses in the city.

Charges against some of the accused include causing unnecessary suffering to animals, keeping or training an animal used in connection with animal fighting, having items used for fights and photographing and publishing images of an animal fight.

The court heard pitbull and lurcher-type dogs, puppies and badgers all referred to during the hearing.

A detective constable revealed in court that three of dogs seized have since been destroyed as they were self-harming.

The officer said she could connect the accused to the charges and that an expert had identified the animals from video footage of alleged animal fights.

She claimed injuries to the dogs were "consistent with this type of activity".

All eight accused were released on continuing bail, with conditions imposed to allow police to carry out checks on any other animals being kept.

Comments

5 Comments

Peter F in Leitrim wrote (290 days ago):

To Auline in Newtownabbey: I agree 100% with what you said. Far too many people got pets/dogs as, as a symbolof how "well things are"! Once a pet, be it a dog or cat have gone past the "adorable puppy or kitten" stage the "so-called" animal lover gets bored with the poor unfortunate animal. That "pet" is then either abused through ignorance and apathy, or through wanton agression!! That can result in the pet being given away "free to a good home" via local shop adverts or via web sites such as "Done Deal". Too many of these animals are then rehomed to "loving people" who only want an animal to train or "blood" their fighting dogs. If someone wants a pet they need to vetted themselves to find out if they are a suitable "pet lover" first!!

Billy in Belfast wrote (291 days ago):

Firstly it is good to see albeit small condemnation of this atrocious acts of barbarity. But we cannot forget the Law within N.I. doesn’t compete with the rest of the U.K. However secondly I can confirm the U.S.P.C.A. told me afterwards I was living next-door to an Illegal Pitbull who was used in fighting, hence the large Vet Bill after the U.S.P.C.A. and Belfast City Council and the Minister refused to address properly. Therefore this goes to show the P.S.N.I. Councils and the Clowns at Stormont are clearly NOT worth their ridiculous Pay Packets. As and within the U.K. an alleged nation of pet lovers clearly and unequivocally is clearly up for question.

Sam brannigan in Belfast wrote (291 days ago):

Well said Ryan,Most people in N.I. dont care about animal welfare.But put a flag on a lamp post or march down a street and it can become a national obsession!!!People only hit animals to instill fear into that creature.Sadly animal cruelty here seems to be widespread.Hare coursing had been banned but fox hunting still continues as an attempt to ban it in Stormont didnt get the support it deserved.

pauline in Newtownabbey wrote (292 days ago):

I was talking to a friend recently about how many people own pets and he stated that N.I. is a nation of animal lovers. As I told him, N.I. is NOT and nation of animal lovers but rather animal OWNERS. I walk dogs on a daily basis and notice that there is a huge increase in dog walkers in good weather. They are known as the 'fair weather walkers' who only talk the poor creatures out if it isn't raining because they are too lazy/precious to go out in the rain. Dogs are not toys and need proper care and exercise. This is the extreme face of animal abuse and I hope the courts take serious action, instead of the the usual slap on the wrist. However how many people that are outraged at this story, and rightfully so, genuinely do the best they can for their animals? I'm not talking about spending big money on them, just giving them the care and exercise they need. Just because the minority are extremely abusive towards animals does not mean that others are not also guilty of only doing their best for their animals when it suits them. After all the animal didn't choose you, you chose the animal. Sorry, will get off my soapbox now.

Ryan in Belfast wrote (292 days ago):

Absolutey disgraceful "family" commiting such horrible cruelty to animals. The Law has to come down very hard on people who commit cruelty to animals, thats the only way it will stop. Does anyone esle think that Belfast (in particular) has an animal cruelty issue? I've witnessed many times people harshy hitting their dogs and many a time i've told them to stop.Im not talking about "little slaps" (which is still wrong) im talking about full scale punches in the head and rips to the point where the poor dog is crying and yelping. I'd advise anyone who witnesses such animal cruelty to phone the police for the sake of the animals welfare, which i have done. Animal rights has to be seriously looked at in Northern Ireland because our track record of Animal welfare is a disgrace.