East Belfast MP Naomi Long says animal abusers should be given lifetime ban from keeping pets

3 members of an east Belfast family have pleaded guilty to offences following what the police & the USPCA describe as, 'some of the worst animal cruelty they've seen'.

Jeremiah Kirkwood, from Island Street, and his sons Chris and Wayne, admitted keeping or training animals for fighting, having equipment in connection with animal fights and causing unnecessary suffering to 4 pups.

The investigation into the family's activities began over 2 years ago when video pictures were recovered from a mobile phone - after police raided a house.

Police found three videos of appalling cruelty to animals. Three involved a cat and one a badger.