THERESA MCGAHEY'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN BELFAST REVEALED

Theresa McGahey, a woman residing on Fort Street in Belfast, has been found guilty of severe neglect and cruelty towards her dogs, an incident that shocked the local community and drew the attention of animal welfare authorities. Born around 1983, McGahey's case came to light after her disturbing actions were uncovered during a routine investigation by Belfast City Council officials.

According to court records, McGahey, who was known locally as a backyard breeder frequently advertising puppies for sale via Facebook, demonstrated a shocking level of irresponsibility and neglect. Her failure to care for her animals culminated in the tragic death of one of her dogs, a brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Tyson. The discovery was made when McGahey contacted the council to request the removal of Tyson’s body from her property, an act that prompted officials to investigate further.

Upon inspection of her property in Belfast, authorities found Tyson lying in the backyard, in a state of extreme emaciation. The dog was severely underweight, weighing only 7 kilograms, whereas a healthy adult of the breed typically weighs around 17 kilograms. The veterinarian who examined Tyson later confirmed the presence of ulcers in the dog’s stomach, which, combined with the starvation, would have caused a slow, painful, and miserable death. Tyson had apparently suffered in “appalling conditions” and died in “considerable distress.”

In addition to Tyson’s tragic demise, a second dog, also a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was discovered at the property. This dog was described as “extremely skinny” and was found lying on top of Tyson’s lifeless body. Despite its poor condition, the second dog was still alive at the time of discovery. Fortunately, this dog was later rehabilitated and rehomed, recovering from its ordeal.

The court heard that McGahey’s neglect spanned over a period of 14 months, from January 2016 to March 2017. During this time, she failed to provide adequate food or medical treatment for her animals, actions that constitute a criminal neglect. The neglect was so severe that it was described as a prolonged period of abuse, with the dog suffering for days or even weeks due to starvation and lack of care.

McGahey initially denied the allegations, claiming that Tyson had been poisoned and denying any deprivation of food. Her dismissive attitude was evident when she was approached by a local newspaper, Sunday Life, at her property. When questioned about the circumstances leading to Tyson’s death, she responded with a dismissive “And what?” indicating a lack of remorse or concern.

In sentencing, the court imposed a 12-month conditional discharge on McGahey. Additionally, she was banned from keeping animals for life, a measure intended to prevent her from causing further harm to animals in the future. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare laws and the need for vigilance against neglect and cruelty in the community of Belfast.