Belfast man sentenced after dog attack on five-year-old child

A Belfast man has received a suspended prison sentence after his dog escaped from a property and attacked a five-year-old boy in May. The child suffered injuries to his leg.

A Belfast man has been sentenced after a dog attack on a child which left a five-year-old boy with injuries to his leg.

Mark Joseph Anderson, of Abbeydale Crescent in Belfast, was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

Dog escaped before attacking five-year-old boy

The prosecution was brought by Belfast City Council following reports of an incident on 1 May 2026.

The court heard that Anderson’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog escaped from premises at Abbeydale Crescent.

The dog subsequently attacked a five-year-old boy in the street, causing injuries to his leg.

Belfast man receives suspended prison sentence after dog attack

Anderson pleaded guilty to the offence.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to two months in custody, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £133 in legal and court costs.

Reporting dog attacks in Belfast

Belfast City Council operates a dog warden service which deals with incidents including dog attacks, stray dogs and other dog-control issues.

Residents can report a dog attack or other dog-related concern directly to Belfast City Council’s dog control service.

Dog owners are responsible for controlling their dogs and for their behaviour both at home and in public.

NI Direct advises that allowing a dog to attack or seriously injure a person is an offence in Northern Ireland.

People can also find further information about controlling dogs in public and the responsibilities of dog owners in Northern Ireland through NI Direct.

What should you do following a dog bite?

Anyone who is bitten by a dog and has suffered broken skin should consider seeking medical advice.

NI Direct advises cleaning the wound promptly and obtaining medical help where appropriate, as animal bites can become infected.