SAMANTHA KERRIGAN FROM WATERSIDE GETS SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE AND 10-YEAR ANIMAL BAN AFTER DOG RESCUE HORROR

Samantha Kerrigan, a resident of Waterside, faced a serious legal case after her involvement in a disturbing incident involving animal neglect and endangerment. Born on September 1, 1985, Kerrigan's address at Spencer Road, Londonderry, became the focal point of a distressing situation that drew the attention of local authorities and animal welfare advocates alike.

According to court records, Kerrigan was convicted in 2019 for the abandonment and neglect of a dog, which was found hanging from a first-floor window of her flat. The incident was reported to the police, prompting a swift response from officers who arrived at her residence in Spencer Road. Witnesses and members of the public had managed to rescue the dog, a female bull terrier, using a ladder after it was discovered hanging precariously outside the window. The dog was alive but in a dire state, raising immediate concerns about her welfare.

Police officers forced entry into Kerrigan’s flat, where they encountered a strong and unpleasant smell of dog feces, indicating severe neglect. The dog was found to have consumed approximately two liters of water in a very short period after police provided it, and she had also eaten some food. A veterinarian later examined the animal and determined that she was in imminent danger of falling from the window, highlighting the neglect she had suffered. The vet’s assessment also revealed that the dog had been left without access to water and was left alone in the flat for extended periods, further emphasizing the cruelty involved.

Following the rescue, Kerrigan contacted the police to confirm her ownership of the dog but failed to attend any scheduled interviews or provide further cooperation. Tragically, the dog was euthanized about a month later, although the reasons for this decision were not explicitly clarified during the court proceedings.

During the trial, Kerrigan’s defense solicitor, Maoiliosa Barr, claimed that Kerrigan considered herself an animal lover. Barr also highlighted Kerrigan’s struggles with addiction, stating she was “barely able to look after herself never mind anything else.” The defense argued that the dog was intended to be transferred to a friend of Kerrigan’s partner, but due to the partner’s imprisonment, Kerrigan had taken the dog herself. Barr expressed that Kerrigan was “very upset” upon learning of the dog’s fate.

District Judge Barney McElholm addressed the court, noting that Kerrigan’s health issues prevented a harsher sentence. He stated that if it had not been for her health concerns, she might have been sent directly to prison. Ultimately, Kerrigan was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, she received a ten-year ban on keeping any animals, a restriction that will remain in effect until November 2029. This case underscores the ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and the importance of accountability for those responsible for neglecting vulnerable animals in the Waterside area and beyond.