Animal cruelty arrest after dog sustains injuries during burglary

A man in his 20s has been arrested by police investigating a burglary and injuries sustained by a dog during an alleged break in in Carrickfergus on Saturday.

Police say the dog was found in the back garden after having suffered injuries to its abdomen caused by 'physical trauma'. The dog was found after it was reported the front door of a property was smashed in the Castlemara Drive area of the Co Antrim town.

It is believed that entry was gained to the property, which was ransacked. Police say nobody was in the property when it was broken into just after 3am on Saturday 7 October.

"Police investigating a report of burglary and animal cruelty in the Castlemara Drive area of Carrickfergus on Sunday, 8th October, have arrested a man," a PSNI spokesperson said.

"At some time after 3am on Saturday 7th October, a glass panel on the front door of a property was smashed and entry was gained.

"The property was ransacked and a dog which was left in the kitchen, was later found in the back garden with visible injuries to its abdomen, believed to be sustained by physical trauma. There was no one else in the property at the time of the break in.

"A 21-year-old man was arrested in relation to the investigation. He is currently in police custody at this time."