HARRISON MACUILLIN'S CRUELTY IN NEWRY: DOG'S EAR CROPPING LEADS TO CONVICTION AND BAN

Harrison MacUillin, also known as Harry McQuillan, a resident of Warrenpoint Road in Newry, was found guilty on the 21st of May, 2018, at Newry Magistrates Court for serious animal welfare violations. The charges stemmed from his involvement in the illegal and painful procedure of cropping a dog’s ears, an act that caused significant suffering to the animal involved.

MacUillin, born on July 26, 1995, and owner of a business called Harry’s Valeting, was accused of multiple offences under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, specifically Sections 4, 5, and 9. These sections address the prohibition of causing unnecessary suffering, the regulation of procedures that can be performed on animals, and the duty to ensure animals’ needs are met, respectively.

The case was brought forward by the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, which acted on a complaint from a concerned member of the public. The complaint detailed that a dog, whose ears had been cropped, was later found straying and was taken into the care of the USPCA hospital in Newry. The animal had sustained injuries from the procedure, which involved cropping her ears—a process that is both painful and prohibited under the law.

Following her rescue, the dog was placed under the care of the local authorities. Veterinary treatment was administered to alleviate her suffering, and she eventually recovered from her injuries. After her recovery, the dog was successfully rehomed, providing her with a fresh start away from her previous owner’s neglect.

In sentencing, MacUillin was ordered to pay a fine of £600 and cover costs amounting to £220. Additionally, he received a five-year ban on owning or keeping any animals, a restriction that was set to expire in May 2023. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by local authorities in Newry to combat animal cruelty and enforce animal welfare laws, ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions.