THE PSNI is footing the bill for the ongoing care of five seized pit bull terrier-type dogs, a judge has heard.
Convicted drug dealer Francis Milliken, who was banned from keeping animals when he pleaded guilty last month to causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs, was set to appeal a court order disqualifying him from keeping animals.
Applying for that appeal to be adjourned however, defence lawyer Chris Sherard told Antrim County Court on Tuesday he was seeking a report on the 41-year-old's "capability and ability to look after dogs at his home."
Last month Milliken, from Weavershill Road in north Belfast, was given a four month jail term, suspended for two years and banned from keeping animals for two years after he was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to five pit bull type dogs, an adult male and female and three puppies, on dates between December 1 last year and January 15 this year.
The court heard that when police searched an unoccupied house at Donore Crescent in the Greystone estate in Antrim, they found the two adult dogs crammed into cages which were so small they were unable to sit and the animals themselves had scars and wounds.
A prosecuting lawyer told the court where was also new born puppies in another cage where they were without water or bedding.
In all, 10 dogs were seized from Milliken, and the five charges brought against him related to the dogs which were assessed as "extremely badly looked after”.
In court on Tuesday a Public Prosecution Service lawyer confirmed that despite fears the dogs would have to be destroyed, it was now the case that "the dogs are capable of being rehomed," adding that while the prosecution was content with the two week adjournment, that should be the only time the case is put back.
"It's my understanding," said the lawyer, "that the ongoing costs for the care of the five animals is being borne by the PSNI."
She added that while the matter of reclaiming or retrieving those costs can be pursued in the civil courts, that cannot happen until the appeal has been adjudicated upon.
Adjourning the case to the end of the month, Judge Sandra Crawford warned that the "matter will proceed" on the best occasion immaterial whether the defence report was ready or not.
