CONVICTED (2021) | Paul Michael Reavey, born 9 July 1967, of 23 Lisnaree Road, Rathfriland, Newry BT34 5DX – pleaded guilty to causing suffering to a young Patterdale terrier with horrific facial injuries Image credit: Sunday World The charges against Paul Reavey arose when the USPCA responded to a complaint received from a concerned member of the public in June 2019. On arrival to the scene of an alleged sett disturbance, the USPCA found an injured terrier type dog in great distress, appearing to have been left behind underground by her owner, Reavey. The abandoned terrier was covered in mud, soaked through and in pain from severe facial wounds. The young dog was seized by the PSNI at the scene and taken to the USPCA animal hospital to be examined by the veterinary team and for the provision of pain relief for her severe facial wounds. The court heard that the terrier’s injuries were ‘undeniably consistent’ with badger baiting. Further investigations by the USPCA and NI Badger Group confirmed that this was an active badger sett. The charge of damaging or destroying a badger’s sett was, however, withdrawn by the prosecution to avoid the case going to trial. The dog survived her injuries and has since been rehomed. Reavey was given a custodial sentence, but his defence immediately lodged an appeal. He was released on bail of £500 pending the appeal hearing. Sentencing: four months in prison; £750 fine. 10-year ban on keeping animals (expires May 2031). Newry Times County Down Outlook Update 21 June 2021 The Sunday World reported that Judge Gordon Kerr QC of the County Appeal Court in Newry overturned Reavey’s jail sentence. Instead Reavey’s jail term was suspended for two years. His 10-year ban on keeping animals was uphed. A defence lawyer for Reavey argued that with a background of fostering and adopting children, “the court could consider adopting a different course” than sending him straight to jail. Judge Kerr said: “It seems to me that there are exceptional personal circumstances that would allow me to suspend the sentence” for two years”. The judge warned that if Reavey reoffended or had “anything to do with animals,” he would be liable to serve that sentence.