Man banned from owning dogs for 20 years as French Bulldog to be put down after attacks on three women

The owner faced a range of charges connected to three dog attacks on three women which left some of them with severe facial injuries

A man has been banned from owning a dog for 20 years and his French Bulldog put down after three separate dog attacks on three women.

Gareth Gault from the Newtownabbey area appeared at Laganside Magistrates’ Court on May 5, where he faced a range of charges connected to three dog attacks on three women which left some of them with severe facial injuries. The attacks took place between October 2024 and April 2025.

Gault pleaded guilty to all charges in court and received 18 months’ probation and 80 hours of community service. He was also banned from owning a dog for 20 years, £100 for the offence of being the keeper of an unlicensed dog and was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to each victim, £2,250 in legal costs, £750 towards Council kennelling costs and a £15 offender levy for each offence.

The judge also issued a destruction order for the dog.

An Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council spokesperson said: “Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council places a high priority on enforcing dog control legislation. Reports of dog attacks are thoroughly investigated, and formal action, including prosecution, is taken where appropriate, as demonstrated in this case.”

The council says this case highlights its ongoing commitment to public safety and to robust enforcement of legislation designed to promote responsible dog ownership across the borough.

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