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02 Apr 2026

Derry court orders XL Bully type dog to be put down

Martina Johnson of Mimosa Court in Derry admitted being the keeper of the the dog on dates between September 19, 2022 and September 22, 2022

Suspended sentence for Donegal man at Derry Magistrate's Court

Derry Magistrates' Court

Reporter:

Court Reporter

02 Apr 2026 1:30 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

A woman has been fined at Derry Magistrates' Court today charged with possessing a 10 stone XL Bully type dog.
Martina Johnson of Mimosa Court in Derry admitted being the keeper of the the dog on dates between September 19, 2022 and September 22, 2022.
A prosecution official said there were 'exemptions' available to allow people to have this type of dog if the council deems it beneficial to the animal. 
But in this case there were no exemptions and the dog was deemed to be dangerous and a destruction order was sought.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that this was a death penalty for the dog.
He said that the dog had belonged to a former partner of Johnson's who after their break up had been 'good enough to leave the dog with her.'
The solicitor said that the defendant was 'unfamiliar' withheld licensing requirements and was out of her depth.
The prosecution asked for £72 in court costs and £1,648 in kennelling fees.
Mr Quigley said he could accept the court costs and any fine imposed but argued the kennelling fees were excessive as the woman ended up being the keeper by default. 
He suggested that fees for the six week period from when the dog was seized until Johnson pleaded guilty would be more appropriate. 
Johnson was fined £75, ordered to pay £72 in court costs and £357 in kennelling fees.
An order for the destruction of the dog was imposed.

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