CONVICTED (2017) | Alice Mary Louise Jones, born 25 August 1997, of Saintbridge Road, Longford, Gloucester GL2 9FN – starved a pony who was found collapsed in a barn
Jones, previously of Raleigh Close, Gloucester, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony, named Blue, after failing to investigate the cause of his weight loss between February 19, 2016 and March 3 2016, contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Emaciated horse Blue was found collapsed in a barn
The RSPCA was contacted by a concerned member of the public who had spotted Blue in a collapsed and emaciated state in a barn at Packthorn Farm, Whitminster Lane, Frampton on Severn.
Inspector Mark Lewis said: “Sadly Blue had been starved to the point when he was incredibly thin and unable to stand.
“Unfortunately he was in such a terrible state that he had to be immediately put to sleep to ease his suffering.
“The post mortem showed his condition wasn’t because of an underlying disease – it was simply down to the fact he wasn’t given the food he needed.
“Owners have a responsibility of care to their animals. To allow an animal to get into such a shocking state is inexcusable.”
Sentencing: 180 hours of unpaid work; total of £660 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping horses for five years (expired January 2022).
CONVICTED (2017) | Sean Joseph Murphy, born August 1985, of Rudhall View, Lea, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7ND – neglected a dog, causing him to become aggressive and attack humans.
Sean Murphy and his dog, Archie, who became aggressive due to his owner’s neglect.
Sean Murphy, strongman exhibitor and owner of Sanctuary Supplements, was banned from keeping dogs for ten years after his pet bullmastiff-cross, Archie, bit two of his neighbours.
Murphy failed to turn up for his trial on January 17, 2017, and was found guilty in his absence of failing to comply with a control of dog order, owning a dangerous dog and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Amy Davies, prosecuting, told the court that Murphy’s dog, Archie, was already made subject to a dog control order in 2014 after he bit a police officer.
Then on December 18, 2015 Archie was outside Murphy’s property scavenging in bins in the village, near Ross-on-Wye.
His neighbours became concerned about the aggressive nature of the dog as they knew primary school children would soon be finishing school, so they tried to get him inside Murphy’s garden, which had a fence around it.
In doing so, Archie bit one neighbour on the arm and the other on the ankle.
Miss Davies said a vet had said Archie had chronically infected skin lesions, which in his opinion had caused unnecessary suffering to the dog.
The court heard there was no prospect of Archie being rehomed due to his aggressive nature, and the crown asked for a destruction order.
Murphy told the court that he had proof that the neighbours deliberately went out of their way to wind Archie up.
He said he could also produce vet’s bills to prove he had antibiotic cream for Archie for his skin condition and added that Archie’s weight would often fluctuate.
He said: “I would like the dog back and I am going to fight to get him back.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 175 hours of unpaid work; victim compensation; contribution of £500 to the dog’s care since the incident, which had amounted to £6,235.75, and an £85 victim surcharge. Magistrates ordered Archie’s destruction. Murphy was disqualified from keeping dogs for ten years (expires January 2027).
CONVICTED (2017) | Brittany Sandra Louise McCallum, born 16 June 1997, of Ann Street, Burnbank, Hamilton ML3 0NE – starved her pet dog to skin and bone.
Single mother McCallum, originally from East Kilbride and with links to Newmains and also Watford, failed to provide the necessary care for Buster and was charged with animal cruelty following a Scottish SPCA investigation.
Buster was skeletal after being subjected to a prolonged period of starvation by single mother Brittany McCallum
Commenting on the investigation and court case, Inspector Heather Lawson said: “It was instantly clear to me that the dog was being neglected.
“His ribs, spine and pelvic bones were prominent and there was no food or water available for the dog.
“I took the dog straight to the vet where I was informed that he had no fat deposits anywhere suggesting an extended period of inadequate nutrition and weighed only 15.3kgs.
“We welcome the fact that McCallum has been dealt with by the court and the sentence handed down.
“We hope she will give serious consideration about her suitability to care for other animals in the future”.
Buster recovered from his ordeal and made available for rehoming.
Sentence: 60 hours of community work; banned from keeping animals for just three years (expired January 2020).
CONVICTED (2017) | John Christopher Bainbridge, born 28/12/1982, and Donna Kennedy, born 09/01/1984, of Luke Terrace, Wheatley Hill, Durham DH6 3RX – locked their dog in a dark, filthy shed to starve to death
John Bainbridge and Donna Kennedy are banned from keeping animals for life after RSPCA officers found the body of an emaciated dog locked in a filthy shed
Bainbridge and Kennedy, who have four children between them, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an unnamed male lurcher by failing to provide him with an adequate supply of food and water resulting in his death. They also failed to seek veterinary care and attention for his pressure sores.
The dog’s emaciated body was found locked inside this garden shed. A concrete slab had been placed against the door to stop him escaping.
RSPCA chief inspector Mark Gent said: “RSPCA inspector Aislynn Balderstone found this poor dog, emaciated in a filthy garden shed with no food or water.
The saddest of sights: the starved dog was found dead inside the shed
“There was a concrete slab blocking the shed door preventing it from opening.
“Kennedy claimed not to have known the slab was there even though the front of the shed was only a few feet away from the kitchen window where she washed up daily.
A vet examined the dog who weighed just 12.1kg – his ideal weight would have been 18kg.
Chief inspector Gent said: “The physical and mental suffering this dog endured must have been enormous as he died alone in the dark.
“We hope by bringing this matter to court we have achieved some sort of justice for him.
Sentencing: 18 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for two years; 100 hours of unpaid work; six-month curfew order; £425 costs each. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.
CONVICTED (2017) | Hayley Perry, born 13/07/1966, of Teignmouth Road, Torquay TQ1 4RS – kept eight severely underweight dogs in a two-bedroom flat
Perry, a former breeder of Akitas, Huskies and Eurasiers operating under the name Saxonike who previously lived in Marldon Road, Shiphay, was disqualified from keeping dogs after eight animals in her care were found to be seriously underweight.
The court heard that between March 7, and April 4, 2016, Perry failed to explore the cause of weight loss in eight dogs in her care contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.Perry was found guilty of failing to meet the needs of five of the dogs by not providing a suitable environment contrary to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Screenshot of former breeder Perry’s Facebook business page
RSPCA inspector Jim Farr said: “People have a responsibility to look after their animals properly and to make sure all their needs are met and need to ensure they receive the proper veterinary treatment and care when they need it.”
We understand that Perry appealed against the sentence but this was unsuccessful.
Hayley Perry changes her appearance frequently
Three dogs that remained in Perry’s care after conviction were confiscated. Five other dogs that were previously signed over to the RSPCA were rehabilitated and found new homes.
Sentence: £1,000 costs; banned from keeping dogs for 10 years (expires January 2027).
CONVICTED (2017) | self-proclaimed ‘horse guru’ Jonathan Hurst, born 2 January 1991, of Kings Elms, Barton Stacey, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3RG – convicted of cruelty after a pony was left with an eye injury and her tongue split open
Jonathan Hurst had claimed to be a self-taught ‘horse whisperer’ and trainer, but in January 2017 he was found guilty of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony at a yard in Hampshire.
The female pony – called Tanzin – was left with “absolutely shocking” spilt tongue and eye injuries which were not treated by a vet, the RSPCA said.
Tanzin: victim of so-called horse guru Jonathan Hurst of Barton Tracey
Hurst offered his services to Tanzin’s owner after portraying himself as a horse guru “with the skills to transform even the most wilful horse”, the RSPCA said.
The filly suffered “significant injuries” while under the care of Hurst at a yard in Longparish Road, Wherwell, from 9 March to 14 March 2016.
RSPCA inspector Jan Edwards said: “Tanzin had been left to suffer with absolutely shocking injuries.
“I have never seen anything like the state of her tongue.
“It’s callous to leave an animal to suffer in this way without proper veterinary treatment.”
She added Tanzin’s owner screamed when she first saw her pony’s “greyed out” eye, fearing she had been blinded.
Tanzin had refused to eat before the gash on her tongue was discovered, the RSPCA said.
Sentencing: 120 hours of unpaid work. Fined £300. No ban.
CONVICTED (2017) | Orla Louise Shortt (aka Lilly May), born March 1994, of Granemore Park, Keady BT60 2GP – neglected and starved 15 horses.
Orla Fatt .. oops Shortt left her horses to starve
Orla Shortt pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 15 horses in her care
An animal welfare investigation was launched in 2013 after a complaint was made to Armagh City and District Council regarding the condition in which horses owned by Shortt were being kept.
Two of Orla Shortt’s starving and neglected horses
Animal welfare officers, assisted by veterinary surgeons and supported by PSNI officers, examined more than 100 horses in Shortt’s care when they visited a property at Armagh Road, Keady.
According to the council, some horses were found to be malnourished, without food or water and kept in filthy conditions. Some 15 were certified as suffering by the veterinary surgeon
Orla Shortt aka Lily May
The case of animal cruelty was brought against the defendant by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council under the provisions of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Sentencing: three-month prison sentence suspended for two years; costs of £250. A pitiful two-year ban on keeping horses (expired January 2019).
CONVICTED (2017) | hoarder Valerie Seddon, born 6 March 1953, previously of James Street, Atherton, Wigan but now believed to be in Alicante, Spain – lived in squalor with 80 guinea pigs and two dogs
Seddon lost her appeal and is banned from owning animals until 2027
Valerie Seddon was banned from keeping animals after the RSPCA found dozens of guinea pigs and two dogs in her squalid one-bedroom flat.
Inspectors attended with a vet following a tip-off but, after Seddon refused them entry, obtained a warrant.
Seddon kept scores of guinea pigs ‘shocking’ conditions
Inside the cramped property the inspectors found guinea pigs in boxes on shelves in the lounge and in a shed outside. The dogs, Shih Tzu Molly and terrier Lipliner, were confined to a small metal crates in a hallway cupboard for up to seven hours a day.
All the animals lived in ‘filthy’ conditions without regular food and many of the guinea pigs went without water.
Seddon admitted to an RSPCA inspector that she didn’t actually know how many guinea pigs she had.
Seddon pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the guinea pigs by failing to provide a suitable environment.
She denied a similar charge relating to the dogs, but was found guilty after a trial.
Seddon appealed against her sentence, but it was upheld by a judge and she was ordered to pay more costs.
The RSPCA said Seddon was an experienced breeder and shower of guinea pigs but had ‘allowed conditions to get out of control’.
Seddon’s dogs Lipliner and Molly were found in a metal cage where they spent up to 7 hours a day
Inspector Vicki McDonald said: “One of the dog crates had faeces piled up at the back, some of it so old it had turned white.
“The guinea pigs were housed in baskets, in boxes and on furniture shelves and most were living among deep compacted faeces in cramped and at times over-crowded conditions.”
Inspector McDonald added: “I was shocked by the numbers and conditions that greeted me after gaining entry to Seddon’s small flat.
“She had allowed conditions to get out of control and did not seek help when she claims her health became an issue.
“I hope this case draws attention to an issue we sometimes face in regards to numbers getting out of control and the importance of ensuring you are able to cope with any animals in your care. If a situation becomes unmanageable, people must seek help.”
All the animals were signed over to the RSPCA and rehomed.
Sentencing: six-month community order; £750 costs and fines. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires January 2027).
CONVICTED (2017) | Graham John Williams, born 29/07/1956, of Falcon Road, Birkenhead – gave gravely ill German Shepherd drugs and then beat her to death with shovel; his partner Violet Holmes failed to take any action to prevent the dog’s suffering
Violet Holmes turned a blind eye to the suffering of cancer-stricken dog Yarna while partner Graham Williams ended the dog’s life in the most brutal way
Williams fed 11-year-old German Shepherd Yarna aspirin and paracetamol to try and kill her, before beating her over the head multiple times with a shovel. Her squeals of agony alerted neighbours who called the RSPCA.
Victim Yarna
In a separate hearing Williams’ partner Violet Holmes admitted knowing about the dog’s suffering but failing to take any action. Her lawyer said his client suffered from a range of mental health issues including depression and post traumatic stress disorder.
Heartless dog killers Graham Williams and Violet Holmes from Birkenhead
The lawyer described Williams as a “strong-willed man” who put his client in a difficult position because he wasn’t prepared to spend the money that would have alleviated Yarna’s suffering.
Career criminal Williams, who has a string of previous convictions for offences including affray and burglary, was sentenced for two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to the German shepherd, by subjecting her to blunt force trauma and for failing to provide veterinary treatment for an infected mammary gland tumour.
The judge told the court that he would have imposed a longer sentence on Williams if the law allowed him to and he commended the RSPCA on its work to investigate such cases.
Williams bludgeoned the dog to death with a spade and buried her in a shallow grave in the back garden.
Investigating RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said that Yarna’s cruel death came to light after a member of the public heard Williams beating the dog and the dog squealing.
He said: “They were so shocked that they dialed 999 immediately.
“The dog, an 11-year-old German shepherd named Yarna, had been suffering with a melon-sized tumour and Williams decided to end things for her.
“He fed her large amounts of aspirin and paracetamol and said this was an attempt to induce an overdose. Williams then took the dog outside and beat her multiple times over the head with a shovel, eventually leading to her death.
“It was a brutal and barbaric end to her life at the hands of her owner whose responsibility it was to look after her and protect her from harm.
“It is such a horrible way to die and I can’t even begin to imagine what Yarna’s last moments would have been like – the terror and pain she must have felt would have been unbearable.”
A post mortem revealed Yarna had suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries to the head.
Inspector Joynes added: “This was an incredibly distressing case to deal with but I’m pleased that Yarna’s suffering hasn’t gone unanswered.”
Sentencing: Williams: four months in prison. Holmes: four-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years; £500 in costs. Both were banned from keeping all animals for life.
CONVICTED (2017) | Anne Smith, born 1956, of Little Beck Rd, Bridlington YO16 4AW, and Benjamin Johnson, born 17 January 1998, of Woldgate Travellers Site, Bridlington YO16 4XE – allowed their ponies to stray repeatedly onto a busy road resulting in one being killed; a little Shetland pony named Paddy was found entangled around a tree
Gypsy traveller Benjamin Johnson from Bridlington and some of the horses he and Anne Smith allowed to run loose on a busy road.
Gypsies Smith and Johnson were found guilty of neglect following a catalogue of incidents involving their horses roaming loose next to Bessingby Hill. They ignored advice given to them by the RSPCA.
Little Shetland Paddy was found entangled around a tree.
Johnson had also received an RSPCA caution for the same thing but failed to improve the situation.
The pair continued to put the lives of their horses at risk by allowing them to roam freely next to busy traffic and one of their horses ended up being killed after being hit by a car.
During the investigation, threats were made to RSPCA inspectors’ and police officers’ lives.
Sentencing | Johnson was ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and Smith to complete 40 hours of unpaid work. Both defendants were also ordered to pay £340 costs. Deprivation order for Shetland pony Paddy. No ban.
