Paul Michael Reavey, 53, of Lisnaree Road, near Shinn, Northern Ireland was convicted at Newry Magistrates Court on May 15th this year of causing unnecessary suffering to a Patterdale Terrier. Reavey had originally pleaded not guilty and the case was set for trial but on appearing he pleaded guilty and a second charge of damaging or destroying the shelter of a wild animal, namely a badger’s sett, was withdrawn by the prosecution.

The judge sentenced Reavey to four months in prison and fined him £750, for what he described as “An appalling act of cruelty” also disqualifying him from keeping an animal for the next 10 years.

Reavey’s defence then immediately lodged an appeal against the sentence and he was released on bail of £500 until an appeal hearing could be held.

This morning (Thursday 17th June) Reavey walked free from court after his appeal was heard at Newry County Court before Judge Gordon Kerr QC.

Reavey’s defence handed to the judge a “booklet of references”, with one referring in particular to his family responsibilities.

Judge Kerr stated he believed the previous judge had been “more than entitled to consider prison appropriate” but “it seems to me there are exceptional personal circumstances that will allow me to suspend the sentence”.

As a result, the judge said he would suspend the four month prison sentence for a period of two years, warning him any further offending in that time frame would see him serve the period of four months as well as “a considerable additional sentence”.

The injuries sustained to the facial area of Reavey’s dog, a Patterdale Terrier, during the incident.