An Armagh man who said he “wasn’t aware the dog was staying at the Ritz” after being told the cost of kennelling at the pound following the seizure of his pet earlier this year.
Martin Sheridan and his mother Deirdre Sheridan, both of Callan Bridge Park, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Monday following the seizure of a Jack Russell.
Both defendants had consented to the disposal of the dog, with Mrs Sheridan stating it was “a no win situation”.
Court heard that the dog belonged to Mr Sheridan with his mother named as the registered owner.
It was also heard that the pet had been seized by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in March, however, the details as to why it was taken from the defendant were not outlined in court yesterday.
However, while sitting in the courtroom, the costs for kennelling, along with legal and other court fees, which amounted in their thousands, were read to the defendants.
Kennelling costs alone were billed at £1,300 – approximately £10 a day.
This caused an outburst from Mr Sheridan who said: “I wasn’t aware the dog was staying at the Ritz”.
Deputy District Judge Des Parry advised the defendant to “drop the sarcasm if, I were you”.
He ordered Mr Sheridan to pay £418 in legal fees, stating however, that the onus was on the Council to look after the dog once it was seized.
The judge added: “I am not ordering Mrs Sheridan to pay anything as clearly the dog was Martin’s responsibility”.
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