A dog owner was prosecuted at Fermanagh Magistrates Court last Wednesday, January 11, for allowing her German Shepherd dog to attack a person contrary to Article 29 (2) of The Dogs (NI) Order 1983.
The owner was also prosecuted for breach of control conditions, whereby the dog was not leashed when in public under Article 30F of the Dogs (NI) Order 1983.
Isabella Jagusiak, of Aghagay Meadows, Newtownbutler, pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a £100 fine, court summons costs of £70, legal costs of £100, and a compensation Order of £100 to the person attacked.
The court decision came after Enforcement Officers from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Dog Control Team investigated complaints of a dog attack last May 3 by a German Shepherd dog at Newtownbutler belonging to Jagusiak.
Jagusiak was walking her dog at a local GAA pitch, and when it was unleashed, the dog ran towards a lady who was with her daughter in a wheelchair and her own three dogs, encircling them while barking aggressively.
The lady was extremely distressed, and in fear that the dog would attack her, her dogs and her child, the court heard.
The German Shepherd was eventually leashed and Jagusiak removed her dog from the scene.
There had been a previous control condition applied to the dog, and Judge Ms McSorley imposed a further four conditions, including the requirement that the dog is excluded from all GAA pitches.
Commenting on 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 which may include prosecution for offences, as in this case.”
The case was brought against Jagusiak by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council following an investigation by the Council’s Enforcement Officers under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 (as amended).
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