Belfast woman banned from owning animals: what residents need to know
By Beehiveweb Newsroom
A Belfast woman has been sentenced to community service and probation after being convicted of animal welfare offences linked to a dog found in need of veterinary care.
Amanda Walker, of Bentinck Street, Belfast, was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, following her earlier conviction for three offences under The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Court sentence in Belfast
The court ordered 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.
The case was brought by Belfast City Council after animal welfare officers visited Walker’s Bentinck Street home in October and November 2025.
Animal welfare visits at Bentinck Street
During the initial visit, officers found a Collie-type dog that needed veterinary care, according to the council.
Walker was served with two Improvement Notices requiring her to seek veterinary treatment for the dog and provide proof that care had been arranged.
Belfast City Council said she failed to provide evidence of the requested care. That failure led to prosecution under the animal welfare legislation covering duties owed to animals and compliance with formal notices.
Offences under animal welfare law
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 council said the sentencing took place at Belfast Magistrates Court on 26 May 2026.
Source: Belfast City Council
Context & actions About this article
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This report is based on Belfast City Council's published account of the court sentencing and prosecution details.
- Matched the sentencing date to Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
- Checked the named court, Belfast Magistrates Court.
- Retained the specific offences cited under Sections 9 and 10 of the 2011 Act.
- Separated the sentence, costs and 10-year animal ownership disqualification.
- Source
- Belfast City Council
- Scope
- Belfast
- Updated
- 2026-06-03 19:18
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