By munisha.co.uk News Desk
A Belfast woman has been sentenced to community service, probation and a 10-year ban on owning animals after being convicted of animal welfare offences, while a separate dog control case has also highlighted owner responsibilities.
Amanda Walker, of Bentinck Street, Belfast, was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, following an earlier conviction under The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Court sentence in Belfast
The court ordered Ms Walker to complete 80 hours of community service and placed her on probation for 12 months.
She was also ordered to pay £174 in legal and court costs. In addition, she was disqualified from owning any animal for 10 years.
Belfast City Council brought the prosecution after animal welfare officers visited her Bentinck Street home in October and November 2025.
Animal welfare visits and notices
During an initial welfare visit, officers found a Collie-type dog that required veterinary care, according to the council.
Ms Walker was served with two Improvement Notices. Those notices instructed her to seek veterinary treatment for the dog and provide proof that care had been obtained.
The council said she failed to provide evidence of the requested care. The case then proceeded to prosecution.
Offences under animal welfare law
Ms Walker was convicted of two counts of failing to comply with an Improvement Notice under Section 10 of The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
She was also convicted of one count of failing to ensure the needs of an animal under Section 9 of the same Act.
The case was reported by Belfast City Council following the sentencing hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court on 26 May 2026.
Source: Belfast City Council
Source check Source trail
This report is based on Belfast City Council's published account of the sentencing at Belfast Magistrates Court.
- Matched the sentencing date to Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
- Checked the named court, defendant and Bentinck Street location against the source notice.
- Separated the convictions under Section 10 and Section 9 of The Welfare of Animals Act (No...
- Reported only the sentence, costs and animal ownership ban stated by the council.
- Source
- Belfast City Council
- Scope
- Belfast
- Updated
- 2026-06-04 21:33
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