SANDRA AND JULIE MULLEN FROM SHANKILL SENTENCED FOR STARVING DOGS TO DEATH IN BELFAST
| Red Rose Database
Shankill Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Shankill, Belfast, Sandra and Julie Mullen faced justice after being found guilty of severe animal cruelty. The incident came to light when an animal welfare officer from Belfast City Council visited their residence on Cambrai Street on October 3, 2016, uncovering the tragic remains of two dogs that had been starved to death.
According to court reports, the two dogs, identified as a Jack Russell and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, were discovered behind Sandra Mullen’s home in a state of neglect. Post-mortem examinations conducted by a veterinarian revealed that both animals were critically underweight and had suffered painful, miserable deaths. The evidence presented in Belfast Crown Court painted a grim picture of neglect and cruelty.
During the proceedings, the judge described both women as “utterly unfit” to care for animals, citing their “wilful neglect” as the primary reason for their conviction. The prosecution detailed how initially, Sandra and Julie Mullen denied any involvement in animal cruelty. However, they later admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs.
When questioned by the welfare officer, Sandra Mullen claimed that her dogs had died the day before the visit. She admitted to feeding and watering the Jack Russell but insisted that the dog had been “playing happily” the day prior to its death. This assertion was dismissed as “utter nonsense” by the judge, highlighting the clear neglect that had led to the animal’s demise.
Julie Mullen, when questioned about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, adopted a similar stance, claiming ignorance of the animal’s suffering. Despite their initial denials, both women ultimately admitted to the cruelty, acknowledging that the dogs had been subjected to neglect that resulted in their deaths.
In delivering the sentence, the judge emphasized that he did not believe the women were intentionally seeking to inflict suffering. Nonetheless, he made it clear that their actions demonstrated a complete lack of fitness to care for animals. As a consequence, Sandra and Julie Mullen were each sentenced to 150 hours of community service, ordered to pay £250 in court costs, and were banned from keeping any animals for the rest of their lives.
This case has sparked outrage among animal welfare advocates and residents of Shankill, who are calling for stricter measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring in their community.
According to court reports, the two dogs, identified as a Jack Russell and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, were discovered behind Sandra Mullen’s home in a state of neglect. Post-mortem examinations conducted by a veterinarian revealed that both animals were critically underweight and had suffered painful, miserable deaths. The evidence presented in Belfast Crown Court painted a grim picture of neglect and cruelty.
During the proceedings, the judge described both women as “utterly unfit” to care for animals, citing their “wilful neglect” as the primary reason for their conviction. The prosecution detailed how initially, Sandra and Julie Mullen denied any involvement in animal cruelty. However, they later admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs.
When questioned by the welfare officer, Sandra Mullen claimed that her dogs had died the day before the visit. She admitted to feeding and watering the Jack Russell but insisted that the dog had been “playing happily” the day prior to its death. This assertion was dismissed as “utter nonsense” by the judge, highlighting the clear neglect that had led to the animal’s demise.
Julie Mullen, when questioned about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, adopted a similar stance, claiming ignorance of the animal’s suffering. Despite their initial denials, both women ultimately admitted to the cruelty, acknowledging that the dogs had been subjected to neglect that resulted in their deaths.
In delivering the sentence, the judge emphasized that he did not believe the women were intentionally seeking to inflict suffering. Nonetheless, he made it clear that their actions demonstrated a complete lack of fitness to care for animals. As a consequence, Sandra and Julie Mullen were each sentenced to 150 hours of community service, ordered to pay £250 in court costs, and were banned from keeping any animals for the rest of their lives.
This case has sparked outrage among animal welfare advocates and residents of Shankill, who are calling for stricter measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring in their community.