A DOG owner has been prosecuted after pleading guilty to allowing his dog to attack a person following an incident on a walking route in Necarne Estate, Irvinestown.

The owner – Ignatius Cuddy of Castlehill Road, Ballyard, Omagh, Co. Tyrone – pleaded guilty at Omagh Magistrates Court on Monday, July 26 to allowing his dog to attack a person who was out walking contrary to Regulation 29 (2) of the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 (as amended).

Cuddy was fined £1,000 for the offence and ordered to pay costs of £120, which included £75 legal costs, £30 summons costs, and £15 for an offender’s levy.

Enforcement Officers from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Dog Control Team investigated the complaint and found that the injured party had been walking with their retriever poodle on a popular walking route in Necarne Estate.

The offending dog – a cocker spaniel, which was not on a lead – approached them and locked its jaws on their dog.

In an attempt to intervene to release his own dog, the injured party was bitten on the hand by the cocker spaniel.

The injured party subsequently attended A&E to seek urgent medical treatment.

Judge Kelly advised that she takes dog attacks very seriously and imposed a £1,000 fine, while emphasising the importance of responsible dog ownership.

Following the case, a spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “The Council gives a high priority to the investigation of offences under Dog Control Legislation.

"Complaints are investigated thoroughly and, where necessary, formal action is taken, such as prosecution for offences, as in this case.”

The case was brought against Cuddy by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council following an investigation by the Council’s Enforcement Officers, under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 (as amended).