JASON KENNEDY'S BRUTAL ANIMAL CRUELTY IN ENNISKILLEN REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Enniskillen, Jason Lee Kennedy, born on August 5, 1988, and residing on Marble Arch Road, Mullaghbane, Florencecourt, was found guilty of heinous acts of animal cruelty. The court proceedings unveiled a series of shocking incidents where Kennedy subjected animals to extreme suffering, including baiting, fighting, and filming the brutal acts for entertainment among like-minded individuals.

Authorities acted on a tip-off that led to a police search of a property on Ross Road in Bellanaleck, a locality within Enniskillen. During the search, officers discovered over a dozen dogs, which they believed were being kept for fighting purposes. The dogs showed signs of severe injuries, with some having been involved in violent fights, and were subsequently seized by police. Kennedy was arrested at the scene, and his mobile phone was confiscated for forensic analysis.

The evidence uncovered on Kennedy’s phone was deeply disturbing. It contained multiple videos depicting acts of cruelty. One video from June 28, 2022, showed Kennedy standing outside a kennel containing a cat and a dog. The footage revealed the cat attempting to escape before being attacked by four dogs, resulting in its death. Additional clips from the same date showed the cat’s desperate attempt to flee, only to be overwhelmed and killed.

Another video from July 4, 2022, depicted Kennedy dragging a badger by a rope, an act that exemplified his blatant disregard for animal welfare. Further footage showed a badger being attacked by up to nine dogs before it was killed, with the videos not clearly indicating whether these were different badgers or the same one. The videos also showed the dogs suffering injuries during these violent encounters.

Kennedy attempted to justify his actions by claiming they were part of “vermin control,” but this explanation was dismissed outright by Judge Fiona Bagnall. The judge described the case as “disturbing” and “the most cruel type,” emphasizing the prolonged suffering and agonizing deaths inflicted on the animals. She condemned Kennedy’s behavior as premeditated, noting that these gatherings were planned and that he knew exactly what would happen to the animals involved.

Judge Bagnall further condemned Kennedy for filming these gruesome acts to share with friends, highlighting the sadistic nature of his conduct. She rejected his claim that the acts were justified as a form of pest control, citing his distorted view of sport and cruelty. The judge expressed her profound disapproval, stating, “It was instead some distorted view of a sadistic and cruel sport. I do not have to set out just how badly those poor animals suffered.”

During the court proceedings, Kennedy’s defense lawyer, Ciaran Roddy, acknowledged the severity of the case. He admitted that Kennedy no longer keeps animals and would accept any court order banning him from doing so in the future. The defense highlighted Kennedy’s past struggles with drug and alcohol abuse, broken personal relationships, and mental health issues, asserting that he has since moved away from his previous offending behavior and remains committed to his children.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Bagnall sentenced Kennedy to two years and three months in prison, with the sentence split equally between incarceration and supervised license. The court also imposed a ban on Kennedy owning animals for ten years, a restriction that will last until June 2034.

Superintendent McDowell, leading the PSNI’s Rural and Wildlife Crime unit, explained how Kennedy was apprehended. On April 22, 2022, police responded to reports of distressed dogs at a property on Ross Road. Officers found two dogs inside kennels with substantial wounds to their muzzles and faces. A third dog was located nearby, also with fresh injuries, indicating involvement in fighting. All three dogs were seized and taken into care before being rehomed. During the investigation, police seized Kennedy’s phone, which contained videos of animal cruelty, including footage of cats being attacked and killed.

Following the sentencing, several animal charities expressed their support for the police’s efforts. Nora Smith, CEO of the USPCA, stated, “We were relieved to see this individual arrested by the PSNI last March and hope that more of these individuals are brought before the courts.”

Kate Salmon from Naturewatch added, “Our investigation into Jason Kennedy and suspected badger crime and abused dogs dates back to 2021, when we brought Kennedy to the attention of PSNI. We welcome the recent enforcement actions but remain disappointed with the delays, which have unfortunately prolonged animal suffering.”

Robbie Marsland from the League Against Cruel Sports emphasized the importance of this case as a deterrent, saying, “We hope this case will deter others from committing these heinous offences that have no place in the 21st century.”