animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Hartlepool, County Durham: Clint Dodd, Michael Dodd, Daniel Joyce and Connor Pounder

July 30, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | badger baiters Clint Dodd, born 09/04/1996, and Michael Dodd, born 04/03/1991, both of 43 Thornhill Gardens, Hartlepool TS26 0JF, Connor Pounder, born 14/04 /1996, of 31 Speeding Drive, Hartlepool TS24 9QE and Daniel Joyce, born 07/09/1990, of 70 Granville Avenue, Hartlepool TS26 8NA

Badger baiters from Hartlepool, County Durham: Clint Dodd, Michael Dodd, Daniel Joyce, Connor Pounder — Badger baiters from Hartlepool, Co Durham

Brothers Clint and Michael Dodd and accomplices Daniel Joyce and Connor Pounder, all of Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to offences under the Badger Act 1992 and Animal Welfare Act 2006 after they were found interfering with a known badger sett in the village of Hovingham, North Yorkshire.

Jagd terrier Brock suffered horrific facial injuries after being forced into a badger sett by his cruel owners

The gang admitted digging for badgers, interfering with a badger sett and causing unnecessary suffering to a Jagd Terrier named Brock who they were using to send down the badger sett.

A fifth defendant, Shaun Brown, 28, of Runciman Road, Hartlepool, failed to attend court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Badger baiting brothers Clint and Michael Dodd from Hartlepool, Co Durham

A member of the public spotted a group of men close to a known badger sett in Hovingham on 11 January 2019 and immediately reported it to North Yorkshire Police. When officers arrived, they found four of the men digging the sett and scanning the ground with a tracker locator device trying to trace a dog which was currently in the sett.

The terrier dog, Brock, was underweight and found with serious injuries to his face and muzzle as well as painful ulcerations to his eyes and an untreated eye infection. He was treated by local vets and will now be rehomed.

The Jagd Terrier is a German breed, renowned for their hunting abilities so will often be used to engage in illegal activities such as badger baiting. The name ‘Brock’ is also a colloquialism for badger.

Badger baiter Connor Pounder from Hartlepool, Co Durham — Connor Pounder

North Yorkshire Police’s Inspector Kevin Kelly is Head of the national Badger Persecution Priority Delivery Group (BPPDG). He said: “I took on this role because I’m serious about badger crime and I hope this sentencing result sends a clear message that badger persecution will not be tolerated. You interfere with badger sets, you receive a custodial sentence – it’s as simple as that.

“Wildlife crime can often be contested and hard fought in the court room so it’s positive to see the defendants in this case plead guilty on first appearance. It demonstrates the importance of the partnership working that we have championed in the BPPDG – using the skills and knowledge of key partners, former wildlife crime officers and expert witnesses to present a strong case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

“This case has been led by one of North Yorkshire Police’s new Wildlife Crime Officers, PC Rory Sadler and it’s great to see such a positive result. I’d also like to praise the actions of the member of the public who reported the sett disturbance. It’s really important that people are vigilant to wildlife crime and we start working on our legacy now to develop the next generation.”

Badger baiter Michael Dodd from Hartlepool, Co Durham — Michael Dodd

RSPCA Inspector and National Wildlife Officer Coordinator, Geoff Edmond, said: “The RSPCA works very closely with North Yorkshire Police to achieve best practice when investigating rural and wildlife crime. Significant results are now being seen in the courts.

Brock has recovered from his ordeal and will be rehomed

“This case highlights the skills and expertise being achieved which sends a strong message that crimes like this involving cruelty to badgers and injuries to the dogs involved will be investigated and dealt with seriously at court. Badger related crime is horrific, unnecessary and will not be tolerated.”

Sentencing: Clint Dodd, Joyce and Pounder were each given a 10-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay costs. . They were ordered not to enter North Yorkshire for 12 months. Michael Dodd was already in receipt of a suspended sentence for driving whilst disqualified and was consequently jailed for 14 weeks. All four were disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.

Northern Echo

Update 17 August 2019

The fifth member of the gang Shaun Brown was given a suspended sentence.

Badger baiter Shaun Brown from Hartlepool

He was not banned from keeping animals as his dog was seemingly uninjured with the judge taking from this he had not been used for badger baiting.

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales: Marc John

July 30, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Marc Evan Roderick John, born 4 June 1973, of Market Street, Haverfordwest SA61 1NF – failed to treat his dog’s infection and weight loss.

Dog abuser Marc John from Haverfordwest in Wales — Dog abuser Marc John

Marc John was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog between November 6 and December 18, 2018.

RSPCA prosecutor Nick Devonald said the dog known as Tyson was found to be ‘extremely thin’ when examined by a vet, with a body score of just one out of five, and a large infected ulcerated tumour on his cheek.

Tyson had to be euthanised due to his condition days later, and it was estimated to have taken six to eight weeks for the dog to reach such poor condition.

Mr Devonald said: “The dog was clearly emaciated with an obvious swelling to its cheek and hair-loss near his tail.”

When interviewed John stated Tyson was his ex-partner’s animal, and had not been there when he returned to pick up his belongings.

He said he had fed the dog, who would improve then lose condition again, wormed him and provided a flea collar.

The court heard that Tyson had been in John’s care for around five years before he was found roaming in a road at Haverfordwest and taken to a vet.

Mr Devonald added that the neglect had been prolonged as he handed magistrates pictures of his injury.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said John and his ex-partner needed to move out of their former home quickly following their break-up and he found one dog but no sign of Tyson when he returned to collect his things.

Mr Kelleher said: “For the dog’s last days he did not have control of it and fully believed that his ex-partner had taken him and was looking after him in the normal way.”

He added: “Had the split-up not happened, he assures me in no way would Tyson had been left, and he would have taken him to the vet if he had seen the state he was in.”

The court heard that John had signed over ownership of the second dog to a person who lived in the same property as him.

Sentencing | 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months; 300 hours of unpaid work. £715 in costs and a surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires July 2024).

Western Telegraph
ITV News

Dogs

Ashington, Northumberland: Samantha Ord

July 30, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Samantha J Ord, born c. 1983, of Pont Street, Ashington NE63 0PZ – left her three dogs to suffer with painful skin disorders and poor body condition.

Samantha Ord from Ashington, UK, left her three dogs to suffer with painful skin disorders and poor body condition

Ord was charged with two offences after RSPCA officers found the pets at her home in 2018.

The dogs – a Staffy, Labrador/Staffy cross and American bulldog – had problems with their skin and poor body conditions.

RSPCA prosecutor Stewart Haywood said the three dogs were taken to a vet and examined.

One pet’s skin was crusty, she had hair loss and there was an unpleasant yeasty smell, while another was also in a poor body condition and had fleas on her coat. There were similar problems with the third.

“All were suffering,” said Mr Haywood. “And this had happened over a period of many weeks.”

The animals were taken into the care of the RSPCA and were nursed back to health. They are now said to be making good progress.

The court was told that Ord, of previous good character, was suffering from depression and experiencing difficulties in her personal life. Her husband died in 2017 and she had struggled to cope.

A probation officer said she had no previous convictions and was at low risk of re-offending.

And Alan Brown, defending, told the court that Ord felt a “sense of shame and regret” over her failure to look after the dogs.

Sentencing | four-month curfew; 18-month community order with rehabilitation activities. Total of £485 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping animals for five years (expires July 2024).

ChronicleLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Worst of the Worst

Ward End, Birmingham: Akaash Mushtaq

July 29, 2019 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | Akaash Mushtaq, born 21 June 1996, of Morley Road, Ward End, Birmingham B8 2HX – found with two dead dogs in his garden and three others seriously underweight.

Akaash Mushtaq from Ward End in Birmingham was found with two dead dogs in his garden and three others seriously underweight

Mushtaq admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the deceased dogs and three counts of failing in his duty of care to the three live dogs when he appeared before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

On 19 January 2019, the council received a complaint about a dog straying into back gardens in Morley Road. Dog wardens found the dog and followed it into the defendant’s back garden.

There they found five kennels, with dogs in four of them – two German shepherds, a Rottweiler and a Staffordshire bull terrier.

Both the Rottweiler and Staffordshire bull terrier were dead, the latter seemingly having been dead for some time. The German shepherds were profoundly underweight but alive.

The dog found roaming, a cross breed, was also underweight, but it was reported that she was scavenging in neighbours’ gardens and bins.

The kennels were filthy and covered with dog faeces, while some also had car parts and car wheels inside them. There was no food or water available in any of the kennels.

Mushtaq was cautioned by officers and all dogs were removed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The three live dogs were signed over to Birmingham City Council by Mushtaq – all three subsequently gained weight simply from being fed a normal diet rather than requiring veterinary treatment. They have since been rehomed.

Sentencing | 24 weeks in jail, of which half will be served on licence; 12-month supervision order to run consecutively. Ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping any animals for 10 years (expires July 2029).

Birmingham City Council Facebook post

Dogs

Dewsbury, West Yorkshire: Annemarie Cassidy

July 27, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Annemarie Cassidy, born 15 October 1970, of Princess Lane, Dewsbury WF12 8HD – starved and neglected a crossbreed collie.

Convicted dog abuser Annemarie Cassidy from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, UK

Caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a collie cross type dog named Bruno by failing to adequately investigate and address the causes of his weight loss and poor body condition from March 3 to March 31, 2019.

Sentencing | total of £653 fines, costs and surcharge. Five-year ban on keeping dogs (expires July 2024). Deprivation order on Bruno.

ExaminerLive

Dogs, Veterinary Malpractice

Leicester: Jatinder Dhami

July 27, 2019 misanthropic 39 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | veterinary surgeon Jatinder Dhami, born 16 July 1971, of Woodlands Close, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4QP – for violence towards animals in his care

Dr Jatinder Dhami, a vet with the Vets4Pets practice in Springfield Retail Park, Market Harborough, admitted attacking a Staffordshire bull terrier named Sasha after she supposedly bit him following her booster injection. A receptionist at the practice witnessed Dhami kicking the helpless dog twice and then stamping on her.

She described how she saw Dhami kick Sasha “with the front of his toes, the kick propelled her to slide along the floor to the extent of the lead, she looked up and whimpered, cowered and had her ears back.”

She continued; “She got up and the respondent then took a step towards her and kicked her again, causing her to slide along the floor again.”

The receptionist then swore at Dhami, who is her employer, before leaving in tears.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) committee had the power to strike Dhami off the register, leaving him unable to practise.

But instead they decided that, based on good references and character witnesses, it would be unlikely to happen again and a suspension was appropriate.

Dr Dhami told the committee he had domestic and family pressures and had been working long hours. He said in his statement: “I do not, and never have, sought to defend what was an irrational and adrenalin-fuelled action, but equally my actions were in no way premeditated.”

The committee also heard Dr Dhami and his family had been receiving “hostile communications” due to the case.

The committee took that into account during its decision making. It said in its report: “As recently as yesterday, the respondent received an anonymous letter couched in clearly racist terms.

“The committee deplores the fact that the respondent and his family have been subjected to this campaign.”

The committee also said they were assured by one of his colleagues who gave evidence on his behalf that Dr Dhami would not kick another animal.

The report stated: “The committee was particularly impressed by the evidence of a registered veterinary nurse who has worked with the respondent for about 12 months.

“She had no doubt about the respondent’s professionalism and care for animals.”

The committee members decided to give him a suspension of four months.

The report said: “The committee is satisfied that a period of suspension is sufficient in this case to protect the welfare of animals, maintain public confidence and to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct.”

Two other allegations relating to a kitten and a Jack Russell dog were dismissed by the committee.

Leicester Mercury

Cats, Dogs, Hoarders, kitten breeders, Multiple Species

Taunton, Somerset: Jennifer Waddup

July 27, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | animal hoarder Jennifer Ann Waddup, born 15 August 1969, of Buckland Road, Taunton TA2 8EW neglected multiple dogs and cats in her care.

Pet hoarder and abuser Jennifer Waddup of Taunton, Somerset, UK

Waddup was banned from keeping cats and dogs after she let her pets live in “horrendous conditions”.

An RSPCA Inspector described the space where Jennifer Waddup's pets were kept as "horrendous". — An RSPCA Inspector described the space where Jennifer Waddup’s pets were kept as “horrendous”.

In court on 24 July 2019, she pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 14 cats and one dog, failing to provide adequate care for the animals and failing to seek treatment for her unwell dog called Domino.

She admitted:

*failing to explore and address the cause of the poor bodily condition of nine domestic cats between March 20 and April 3 this year;
*causing unnecessary suffering to a border collie named Domino by failing to provide professional veterinary care for a chronic skin condition between the same dates;
*failing to ensure the needs of 14 domestic cats and Domino the dog were met by not ensuring their need for a suitable environment in which to live on or before April 3;
*and not taking reasonable steps to ensure the needs of 14 cats were met by not protecting them from pain, injury, suffering and disease as seen by a chronic and significant flea infestation on or before April 3.

The court heard how the RSPCA was called to investigate after receiving a report that pets at the property were being neglected.

Officers discovered the property was in a filthy state with a strong smell of faeces, urine and ammonia.

Photos taken inside the premises shows animal faeces and litter scattered all over the floor.

A Merle Border Collie, called Domino, had lost “extensive fur” while several cats were in “poor bodily condition”.

Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector, Jo Daniel, said: “These animals were sadly found in horrendous conditions.

“I was immediately struck by a strong foul odour of faeces, stale urine and ammonia.

“The property appeared very dirty and untidy, there were piles of faeces and pools of diarrhoea on the floor.

“Domino the dog had extensive fur loss, while many of the cats were in poor bodily condition at the time of their rescue.

“Pet-owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their animals do not suffer and that their needs are met and sadly Waddup failed in this duty towards her animals.”

Sentencing: 100 hours of unpaid work; total of £385 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping cats and dogs for two years (expired 2021).

Somerset County Gazette
SomersetLive

Cats, Worst of the Worst

Rochester, Kent: Margaret and Philip Redman

July 26, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Margaret Redman, born 1961, and husband Philip Redman, age unknown, both of Borstal Street, Rochester ME1 3HL – left their cat to suffer with a painful mouth tumour.

Misty was neglected by her owners Margaret and Philip Redman of Rochester, Kent, UK

RSPCA officers visited the Redmans’ home on Saturday, March 9, 2019, and found that their cat Misty had a tumour on her mouth which had teeth embedded into it. This was making it difficult for her to eat. She also had matted fur caked with faeces and discharge from the tumour.

Mrs Redman told the officers that they had delayed taking the cat to the vets because she feared she would be put to sleep.

The couple pleaded guilty to failing in their duty to ensure welfare, and two counts each of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Their solicitor successfully argued that the couple were unsuitable for community sentences where there would be a possibility of carrying out unpaid work.

Sentencing | community order involving attendance at a rehabilitation course; £300 costs.

KentOnline

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Saltash, Cornwall: Abigail Emery

July 26, 2019 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | Abigail Emery (née Aire), born 1988, of Callington Road, Saltash PL12 6LL – left a Shih Tzu-type dog alone in a property to starve to death.

Saltash woman Abigail Emery left a dog to starve to death

Emery admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog known as Clyde by leaving him to starve to death.

RSPCA lawyer Kevin Whithey told the court the exact cause of death could not be determined due to the level of decomposition, but an analysis of the dog’s corpse suggested he had been dead for “not less than three weeks” when he was found.

A veterinarian’s evidence was read out which revealed how a reduced supply of water would result in organ failure and damage to kidneys, resulting in a “prolonged, slow, agonising death for a dog”.

Equally, a lack of food would result in multiple organ failure and death.

Abigal Emery from Saltash, Cornwall, UK, abandoned a shih-tzu in an empty property and left him to starve to death.

Mr Whithey told the court that Emery had started a new relationship at another property nearby and it appeared that “Clyde was no more than an inconvenience” and was abandoned.

He said it would have been “straightforward” to contact the RSPCA or other animal charities and just ask for Clyde to be rehomed.

He said she initially offered not guilty pleas and the case was listed for trial. However, the day before trial she changed her plea.

He suggested that Clyde’s death was “prolonged and deliberate” and would have caused a “high level of suffering”.

Mr Whithey asked magistrates to consider passing an order to have Emery’s remaining dog, cat and rabbit removed and placed with the RSPCA to be rehomed.

A probation report was read out in court which noted Emery was dealing with a complex and sensitive domestic issue at the time and her focus at that time was not on Clyde. The report accepted that she did attend the property and fed Clyde on a daily basis, but this soon changed to weekly and then one a month. As a result she was unaware of his health and the faeces in the property.

The probation report noted that she claimed she was “terrified” of getting into trouble and initially misled investigators.

The probation officer told magistrates she did not feel there was “any malicious intent” by Emery.

In mitigation, advocate Andrears Parsons said her client did not deliberately set out to cause suffering and her domestic issues were at the forefront of her mind at the time.

She highlighted how Clyde would have endured a “slow and agonising death”, over which Emery had initially lied and tried to blame someone else.

However, they also recognised she was of previous good character with no offences to her name, and that she was going through a traumatic time in relation to other matters.

They believed there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Following the hearing a spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “It is just heartbreaking to think of the suffering Clyde went through.

“The RSPCA believes there is no excuse to do this to an animal. Pet-owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their animals do not suffer like Clyde did.”

Sentencing | 16-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months; 80 hours of unpaid work; 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. Costs and charges of £866. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years with the right of appeal after five years.

PlymouthLive

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Traveller Animal Crimes, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Londonderry: Peter Mongan

July 24, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Peter James Mongan, born 24 May 1996, of Maureen Avenue, Londonderry BT48 6TE- sent his former partner videos of him threatening their dog and kicking him repeatedly.

Peter Mongan, who is from a notorious family of travellers, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog called Bobby.

The court heard that Mongan sent the woman texts threatening to hurt their dog unless she came to his flat and spent the night there, which she did not want to do.

In some of the texts, he explicitly stated he would hurt the dog unless she replied to his messages.

The woman was also sent two videos of Mongan kicking the dog and he could be heard saying, “Can you see this?”

Mongan, who has 54 previous convictions, also admitted harassing his girlfriend and sending her a mobile phone message with the intention of causing her anxiety.

The offences took place on 29 May, 2019.

Footage of the attack on the dog was shown to deputy district judge Laura Ievers prior to sentencing.

Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said Mongan accepted that custody was inevitable.

“They are ugly offences and there is no getting away from that”, he said.

Sentencing | seven months in prison. Disqualified from owning any animal for five years (expires July 2024).

Irish News

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: July 2019