Mid & East Antrim Council prosecute for no dog licence, straying and permitting dogs to foul

A number of individuals were convicted at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 25 June 2025 with the Magistrates Court imposing fines, Court fees and Offenders Levy.

Those prosecuted included:

• Sarah Leigh Mongan, St Patrick’s Ave, Ballymena was convicted of two offences in relation to no Dog Licence for her two dogs and was ordered by the Court to pay fines £25 on each offence, offender levy £15, court costs £24 and professional costs £100

• Rachel Balmer, Clonavon Road, Ballymena was convicted of three offences in relation to no Dog Licence for her three dogs and was ordered by the Court to pay fines £25 on each offence, she was ordered to pay the offender levy £15, court costs £71 and professional costs £100

• Kathryn Laura McIlroy, Orkney Drive, Ballymena was convicted of two offences in relation to no Dog Licences for her two dogs and was ordered by the Court to pay fines £25 on each offence, ordered to pay the offender levy £15, court costs £24 and professional costs £100

• James Ward, Dunclug Park, Ballymena was convicted of two offences for no Dog Licence and Dog Straying offence and was ordered by the Court to pay fines £25 on each offence, the offender levy £15, court costs £24 and professional costs £100

• Shae Williamson, Dunclug Gardens, Ballymena was convicted of five Offences in relation to no dog licences and one for Dog Fouling. He was ordered by the Court to pay:

  
  

  • Fines £10 for each offence and ordered to pay offender levy £15, court costs £71 and professional costs £100

  • Fines £10 for each offence and ordered to pay offender levy £15, court costs £24 and professional costs £100

  • Fine £50 and ordered to pay offender levy £15, court costs £95 and professional costs £100

These charges were brought against the offenders by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011.

Commenting on the case a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said:

“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has a zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime involving dog fouling, littering and fly-tipping and to not having their Dog Licences.

“The Council operates a rigorous enforcement policy to minimise the impact of these offences and issues fixed penalties on those responsible.

“In cases, like these, where individuals fail to pay the fixed penalty, the Council will prosecute for such offences which I hope serves as a warning about the importance of having your dog licenced and to clean up after your dog.”