Belfast woman banned from owning animals for 10 years

Niamh McAllister 2026-06-03 19:14 2 min read

High-angle view of Belfast City Hall with green dome and surrounding public gardens.

A Belfast woman has been sentenced to community service and probation after being convicted of animal welfare offences linked to a Collie-type dog found in need of veterinary care.

Amanda Walker, of Bentinck Street, Belfast, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. She had previously been convicted of three offences under The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 following a prosecution by Belfast City Council.

Dog found in need of veterinary care

The case followed animal welfare visits to Walker’s home in October and November 2025. During the first visit, council officers found a Collie-type dog that required veterinary attention.

Walker was served with two Improvement Notices. The notices instructed her to seek veterinary treatment for the dog and to provide proof that the required care had been arranged.

According to the council, she failed to provide evidence that the requested care had been given.

Convictions under animal welfare law

Walker was convicted of two counts of failing to comply with an Improvement Notice under Section 10 of The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

She was also convicted of one count of failing to ensure the needs of an animal, an offence under Section 9 of the same legislation.

Improvement Notices are used in animal welfare cases where authorities require specific action to protect an animal’s condition or care. Failure to comply can lead to prosecution where the required steps are not taken or evidence is not provided, as seen in another Belfast dog owner case involving local court action.

Community service, probation and ownership ban

Belfast Magistrates Court sentenced Walker to 80 hours of community service and 12 months of probation.

She was also ordered to pay £174 in legal and court costs and was disqualified from owning any animal for 10 years.

Source: Belfast City Council

Context & actions About this article

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This report is based on Belfast City Council's account of the sentencing at Belfast Magistrates Court on 26 May 2026.

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Checked the named court as Belfast Magistrates Court.
Matched the sentence details: 80 hours of community service and 12 months of probation.
Confirmed the cited legislation as The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Checked the reported animal ownership disqualification period as 10 years.

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