CONVICTED (2021) | Kathy Margaret Marshall, born 7 April 1989, of Sunnylands Avenue, Carrickfergus BT38 8JT – for the cruel mistreatment of four dogs found starved at her home. Marshall pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of four unnamed dogs which she owned. The charges were brought against the Marshall by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011. Proceedings followed an investigation by the council’s Animal Welfare Officer who visited Marshall’s property at Sunnylands Avenue, Carrickfergus on 19th December 2019. A number of dogs were found living at the property in a malnourished state. The dogs ate ravenously when provided with food. A council vet gave three of the dogs a body condition score of 1/5 with the fourth dog being scored 0/5 due to being extremely thin. That dog was skeletal with no discernible body fat and loss of muscle mass. A vet said that the dog would not have survived in her malnourished state. All four dogs made a full recovery and were successfully rehomed through an animal sanctuary. Sentencing: four months in prison suspended for 12 months; £310 in costs. 10 year disqualification order (expires September 2031). Belfast Telegraph