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Man jailed for setting dog on fire Man jailed for setting dog on fire
(about 1 hour later)
A Northern Ireland man who set a family’s pet dog on fire, leaving the animal’s rib cage visible through her charred skin has been jailed for 10 months. A Northern Irish man is to spend 10 months in jail for setting a family’s pet dog on fire, leaving the animal’s rib cage visible through her charred skin.
Andrew Stewart was described as “evil” for dousing three-year-old border collie Cody with diesel and setting her alight in a Co Antrim quarry two years ago. Andrew Stewart, 23, was described as evil for dousing the three-year-old border collie Cody with diesel and setting her alight in a County Antrim quarry two years ago.
Stewart, 23, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary cruelty to an animal in August 2012 at the quarry near the village of Maghaberry. He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary cruelty to an animal in August 2012 at the quarry near the village of Maghaberry.
Cody survived for two weeks but had to be put down after vets concluded the animal would never fully recover. Cody survived for two weeks but had to be put down after vets concluded she would never fully recover.
In court on Tuesday, Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland said the attack was “evil and vile and beyond comprehension”, banning Stewart from owning or looking after animals for 30 years. In Belfast crown court on Tuesday, Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland said the attack was “evil and vile”. He banned Stewart from owning or looking after animals for 30 years, and sentenced him to 20 months in prison, 10 months of which will be served in custody and the remaining 10 on licence.
He was given a 20-month sentence at Belfast crown court, 10 months of which will be served in custody and the remaining 10 on licence. McFarland said: “This was a particularly appalling act on Stewart’s part. Cody was a much-loved pet … It is beyond comprehension that any human being could act in such a manner towards a defenceless creature, which was posing no threat to him.”
McFarland said: “This was a particularly appalling act on Stewart’s part. Cody was a much-loved pet.” The judge said the animal was a defenceless creature who posed no threat to Stewart. Stewart’s co-accused, Jamie Downey, 23, was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Stewart’s co-accused – Jamie Downey, 23, – was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.
The judge said Downey had made up an alibi for his friend through a sense of misguided loyalty.The judge said Downey had made up an alibi for his friend through a sense of misguided loyalty.
Cody’s owners Martin and Natalie Agnew said they were delighted with the sentencing, but said their children still have nightmares about what happened to Cody and miss their pet every day. Cody’s owners, Martin and Natalie Agnew, said they were delighted with the sentencing, but that their children still had nightmares about what happened to Cody and missed their pet every day.
The jail terms are the first to be handed down as a result of animal cruelty legislation introduced in Northern Ireland in 2011.The jail terms are the first to be handed down as a result of animal cruelty legislation introduced in Northern Ireland in 2011.
East Belfast MP Naomi Long welcomed the custodial sentences and said the judge’s decision had set a precedent. The East Belfast MP, Naomi Long, welcomed the custodial sentences and said the judge’s decision had set a precedent.
“We have previously seen other cases where the guilty parties escaped jail sentences, much to the revulsion of all right-thinking people,” said Long. “But this case now sets an important precedent, which other judges can look at when it comes to animal welfare issues. While it is not the maximum sentence available, it sends a strong message that cruelty towards any animals, not least family pets, will not be tolerated. Offenders can now expect to face the full force of the law.”“We have previously seen other cases where the guilty parties escaped jail sentences, much to the revulsion of all right-thinking people,” said Long. “But this case now sets an important precedent, which other judges can look at when it comes to animal welfare issues. While it is not the maximum sentence available, it sends a strong message that cruelty towards any animals, not least family pets, will not be tolerated. Offenders can now expect to face the full force of the law.”
The case caused widespread outrage in Northern Ireland and more than 60,000 people pledged support for the Justice for Cody Facebook campaign.The case caused widespread outrage in Northern Ireland and more than 60,000 people pledged support for the Justice for Cody Facebook campaign.
An online fund set up by wellwishers in Cody’s name raised £30,000 for animal shelters in Northern Ireland and the Guide Dogs Association. A guide dog has since been named in Cody’s honour.An online fund set up by wellwishers in Cody’s name raised £30,000 for animal shelters in Northern Ireland and the Guide Dogs Association. A guide dog has since been named in Cody’s honour.