Tag Archives: 2024 cases

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Worst of the Worst

Taunton, Somerset: Mark Baker

January 24, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Mark Baker, born c. 1975, of Lyngford Place, Taunton TA2 7EP – neglected an injured and emaciated elderly horse so badly the animal had to be euthanised.

An equine vet said that Squealy suffered for a prolonged period after Taunton man Mark Baker, who had him on loan, neglected him

Baker was loaned 25-year-old horse Squealy between December 14, 2022 and February 16, 2023.

But instead of being kept in a clean and tidy stable, the elderly horse was found shut in filthy conditions with two rugs on. One rug had slipped and rubbed until it caused a large open sore on the horse’s back. His teeth were also in a poor condition and he was unable to properly consume his food.

The RSPCA launched an investigation with specialist equine vets horrified by Squealy’s condition. In their report, they wrote that there had been “no attempt … to palliate the horse or alleviate his pain, let alone investigate the cause of his poor body condition.

“He was not free from pain, injury or disease. His needs were not being met as specialist dental care was not sought or provided and his diet was not adequate given his additional needs.

“He was not free from hunger since he did not have access to a diet to maintain his health and vigour. He was exclusively confined to his stable in the barn alone and was denied freedom to exhibit normal behaviour since he did not have company of his own kind.

“His environment was not comfortable given the wet and soiled bedding he was found on. He was not free from discomfort. From my findings, it is my opinion that pain and suffering had been ongoing for many months.”

Due to the severity of Squealy’s condition, a decision was taken with the support of his owner for a vet to euthanise him on site.

In court Baker admitted two charges of causing or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure the needs of an animal were met between December 14, 2022 and February 16, 2023.

Sentencing Baker to a 15-year ban on keeping equines, the judge told him: “Looking after an animal is a privilege and you failed in that privilege and the court cannot allow you to fail again.”

RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “As a result of this not being noticed and addressed, the rug continued to rub and caused a large ulcerating wound. The degree of granulation suggested the wound wasn’t recent and either had not been treated or hadn’t even been noticed.

“Squealy also had very worn painful teeth and it was very evident from the environment that he had been dribbling his food for a considerable time as large amounts of dried food was stuck to his stable door. He was hungry but unable to consume the calories needed to maintain good health.”

Sentencing | 150 hours of unpaid work; £1,200 costs. 15-year disqualification order against keeping equines (expires 2039).

SomersetLive

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Cats, Hoarders

Margam, South Wales: Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell

January 23, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Martin Clowes, born 3 April 1968, and Gavin James Cromwell, born 15 June 1981, both of Tynycellar, Water Street, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2PD – kept 24 cats in filthy conditions at their so-called animal sanctuary.

South Wales cat hoarders Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell were banned from keeping animals after 11 cats in their care died in a fire — Cat hoarders Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell were banned from keeping animals after 11 cats in their care died in a fire

Clowes and Cromwell,, who ran rescue from hell Jemima’s Place, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the animals in their care.

Firefighters attending a fire at a property in Pyle Road, Margam contacted the RSPCA.

On her arrival RSPCA animal rescue officer (ARO) Paula Milton was told by a fire officer that they had found two cats alive inside the house. She was also told by a neighbour that the owner had opened up a rescue called Jemima’s Place which at first opened in Bridgend and then moved to the Pyle Road property.

Ms Milton said when she entered the property in March 2023 the smell of urine and faeces was “overpowering the smell of smoke”.

She continued: “In the living room there were lots and lots of black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter. This was piled about 3ft high. The rest of the living room was covered with clutter and the floor was covered in faeces. There were a few deceased cats in the living room on the floor.”

She also said there was a room next to the living room where there were again loads of black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter. This filled most of the room and was piled about 6ft high.

“I went to go up the stairs and the stairs were covered in cat faeces, at the top of the stairs there were two dead cats in the upstairs hall,” she said.

“Also in the hall there were more black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter, there was faeces and rubbish all over the floor.”

Once the fire service had finished upstairs ARO Milton was able to try and catch the cats. She was told that the house was safe apart from the bedroom that had a hole in the floor from the fire.

She then met Clowes who said he was the owner and he helped her catch the live cats.

“I went to go up the stairs and the stairs were covered in cat faeces. At the top of the stairs there were two dead cats in the upstairs hall,” she said.

“Also in the hall there were more black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter. There was faeces and rubbish all over the floor.”

In the bathroom she found three live cats. She said the bathroom floor “was completely covered in cat faeces”.

The three cats – Cheeko, a black seven-year-old cat, Ady, a seven-year-old white and black cat, and Lewis, a tabby and white four-year-old – were caught and placed into her van.

There were also two cats that were taken to a vets in Bridgend by someone on the morning of the fire. Clowes also agreed to sign these cats over into RSPCA care.

ARO Milton went back into the house to see if there were any more cats and she found further rubbish. She said: “In the hall upstairs leading to the bedrooms there was a pile of black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter that was about 2ft high. I couldn’t get into the smaller bedroom. This room was full of rubbish and faeces.

“In the main bedroom where the fire was in the left-hand corner again [there were] more rubbish bags with soiled cat litter. There were a few bags on the right-hand side and also at the back of the room the left side of the bed was more black bags with soiled litter. This was about 2ft high also.”

She and Clowes started collecting the bodies of the cats who had died in the fire and in total 11 cats were found. A

ARO Milton said she was told that Clowes did not live at the house but he visited three to four times a day to feed the cats.

The following day RSPCA deputy chief inspector (DCI) Gemma Cooper met Clowes where he showed her four more cats that had been in the house fire. These four cats along with the two that had been taken to a vets in Bridgend were then transferred to RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic.

In her written statement provided to the court DCI Cooper said the environment in which 24 cats were living was “not safe, clean, or hygienic”.

There was an electric heater which had been left on inside the house while it was unoccupied which was described as an “obvious hazard”. No litter trays were provided and the cats were toileting all over the floor of the property and there was no substrate provided for them to cover it up. DCI Cooper said there was no mental or physical stimulation inside the property for the cats and there was not enough space for the cats to have their own space if needed inside the two-bedroomed cottage.

The court also heard that another animal charity which is no longer running removed around 30 cats in poor health from Jemima’s Place in 2021 when Clowes and Cromwell admitted they could not cope. The 13 cats involved in this case were signed over to the RSPCA and have been rehomed.

The court heard the two men had good intentions but lost control, and now have regret and remorse.

The 13 surviving cats have since been rehomed.

Sentencing | 12 week custodial, suspended for 12 months; £300 costs and £54 victim surcharge each. Banned from keeping all animals for 10 years (expires January 2034).

BBC News
Wales Online
Metro

Dogs, Traveller Animal Crimes

Tong, City of Bradford: Diana Kierpacz

January 22, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Diana Kierpacz, born 9 November 1997, of Kennerleigh Walk, Tong, Bradford BD4 0NS – kept an emaciated dog tied up in a rubbish-strewn yard.

2011 social media image of Bradford animal abuser Diana Kierpacz

The two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, known as Brenda, was so emaciated her ribs, spine and hip bones were visible. She appeared timid and nervous.

Staffy Brenda was severely neglected by Bradford animal abuser Diana Kierpacz — Brenda

The dog, who had given birth seven weeks earlier, was found tied up in a faeces and rubbish filled yard with no access to food, water or shelter.

She also had a painful long-standing eye condition and was severely underweight, with a vet giving her a body condition score of just one out of nine

Diana Kierpacz, a Roma gypsy originating from Poland, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Brenda and failing to meet her needs following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby had visited the house to investigate a report of concern over the welfare of a dog kept there.

In written evidence, Inspector Hodby said: “The dog looked to have recently given birth but there were no signs of the puppies. She had no access to water, shelter or food and her eyes were sunken into her head.

“All of the dog’s ribs were visible as well as her spine and hip bones.

“The dog was tethered to a fence using an extendable lead. The lead was tied to a piece of rope which was then attached to the dog’s collar. She was able to walk around but I was concerned she could injure herself as the tether was inappropriate.”

The court heard Kierpacz then appeared at the property and told inspector Hodby that Brenda was only outside for short periods and had access to water, despite none being present.

Kierpacz was told that Brenda’s living conditions were unacceptable and she was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

She was examined by a vet who told the court in written evidence that the main concerns were her chronic entropion (eye condition ) and her thin body condition.

The vet said: “The most likely cause of this thin state was the increased nutritional demands of pregnancy followed by lactation which in particular is very energy demanding, requiring the animal to consume approximately three times the amount of calories and other nutrients than normal.

“In addition, the choke chain collar and height from which the dog was tethered gave a high risk of injury by choking or strangling if she tried to get away, was fleeing danger or chasing something.”

When asked about the circumstances in which her dog was found, Kierpacz said she had left Brenda there for one hour while she went shopping and she’d been tethered outside so she could “enjoy the weather.”

She said she didn’t feel the way the dog was found tied up compromised her health or welfare and claimed that water had been provided which Brenda must have drunk.

She said she’d been aware of the entropion but had not re-presented her pet for veterinary treatment for 18 months.

Kierpacz said she was not a breeder and Brenda had mated accidentally with a friend’s dog.

Brenda had surgery for her long-standing eye condition and was also neutered. She has since been re-homed.

Other dogs owned by Kierpacz will also now be rehomed.

Magistrates said Brenda had been found in a “very neglected and emaciated state and there was clear evidence that this offending has gone on for a long time”.

Despite this, they only gave Kierpacz a one-year ban. This seems to have been her sole punishment.

ITV News
Telegraph & Argus
RSPCA News

Dogs, hunting with dogs

Winsford, Cheshire: Karl Jenkins

January 21, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Karl W Jenkins, born c. 1975, of Regents Way, Winsford CW7 2YQ – left a dog to suffer instead of taking him to a vet.

Animal abuser Karl Jenkins from Winsford, Cheshire. Image: Facebook.

Welshman Jenkins was banned from owning dogs for just one year after causing suffering to a bull lurcher named Buddy, who is believed to have suffered an unexplained lip injury.

Karl Jenkins' abused dog, Buddy — Karl Jenkins’ abused dog, Buddy, whom is thought to have recovered after being removed from him

While the precise details of Buddy’s condition has not yet been disclosed by the mainstream media, there is evidence on social media that Jenkins and his teenage son (whom we can’t yet name due to his age) like to indulge in the persecution of wild animals for fun.

Taking into account his breed, it is possible that Buddy was injured after being forced to fight foxes or badgers but this must be treated as pure speculation at this stage.

We are advised by relatives of Karl Jenkins that Buddy recovered but this is unconfirmed.

In court, Jenkins admitted failing to act on October 16, 2022, when he didn’t take the poorly dog to see a vet for treatment, causing him to suffer.

Sentencing | 120 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within 12 months. Court costs of £120 and £114 victim surcharge. Disqualified from owning and keeping dogs, as well has being able to control or influence how they are kept, for 12 months (expires January 2025)

Northwich & Winsford Guardian

Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

March, Cambridgeshire: Collette Carre

January 20, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Collette Carre, born c. 1966, of Acacia Grove, March PE15 8HY – failed to treat a greyhound gravely ill with a 14cm tumour that covered her snout and muzzle.

Animal abuser Collette Carre from March, Cambridgeshire — Cruel and vile Collette Carre said that financial difficulties and mental health problems prevented her from taking her dying dog to a vet

Carre pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the female greyhound type dog called Defa by failing to seek prompt veterinary care for the grapefruit-sized tumorous mass on her snout/muzzle, as well as weight loss and her poor bodily condition.

The RSPCA was alerted after Carre attended a veterinary practice to have the dog put to sleep.

Defa's owner, Collette Carre from March, Cambridgeshire, turned a blind eye to her suffering — Carre turned a blind eye to the suffering of emaciated Defa who had a huge tumour on her snout

A vet who examined Defa said in a statement that she was emaciated and had a large putrefying and necrosing tumour over her upper jaw obliterating the nostrils and there was an overpowering smell of rotting flesh and purulent discharge.

This would affect the dog’s ability to eat, drink and pant.

The examination found that she was dehydrated and hungry but was unable to eat and drink. The vet said the tumour would have been incredibly painful and estimated that she had been left to suffer for at least two months.

RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight said after the case: “We as pet owners have a responsibility to do the right thing for our animals – sadly this was not the case for poor Defa.

“It would not take any medical or veterinary expertise to see Defa was suffering and should have been taken to a vet sooner.”

In mitigation, the defendant said it was a result of mental health issues and financial difficulties.

Sentencing | 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; community order with mental health treatment requirement and rehabilitation activity; £187 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.

Cambs News
Fenland Citizen

animal fighting / baiting, Animal Torture, deer, Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Bransgore, New Forest: Kristen and Todd Cooper

January 19, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | brothers Kristen Christopher Cooper, born 2 May 1999, and Todd James Edward Cooper, born c. 1994, of 24 Westbury Close, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8AZ* – tortured wild animals to death and filmed their agonies.

Sadistic animal killers: brothers Kristen Cooper (left) and Todd Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire — Sadistic brothers Kristen Cooper (left) and Todd Cooper

Career criminal brothers Kristen and Todd Cooper, who are gypsies, made a series of sick videos showing hares and deer being abused and mutilated.

During one depraved incident, the pair mutilated the genitalia of a deer – to the extent that officials could not tell if the animal was male and female – and stabbed another in the eye on camera, causing an ‘extreme level of suffering’.

In another twisted video they held a hare by his head and encouraged a dog to bite him.

Sadistic animal killer: Kristen Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

A vet reviewing the videos as part of the investigation described the footage, filmed in 2021 and 2022, as the “worst case of animal abuse” he had seen in his 24-year career.

“These images will stay with me forever,” he said.

Sadistic animal killer: Todd Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

Other videos showed deer being dragged by their antlers having appeared to have suffered spinal injuries from possibly being hit by a car, with one piece of footage showing a man raising a wooden object above a helpless deer’s head as if he was going to strike it.

The brothers were caught after police seized a phone containing the shocking videos.

Kristen Cooper was charged with seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal with Todd Cooper being accused of one count.

But after appearing at the crown court for these offences and being released on bail, just days later the pair were apprehended again after attacking a mother and her son outside a Co-Op in Betsy Lane in Bransgore on March 4, 2023.

In a video shown in court, the pair can be seen with a third unknown man, ramming another car before getting out and attacking the vehicle with a catapult, a crowbar and a baseball bat.

The victims of the attack later gave evidence at trial with the mother saying she “genuinely believed they wanted to kill us”.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Stuart Ellacott said the animal abuse was “sadistic” adding that the animals were in “distress and suffering”.

Aleks Lloyd, defending Kristen – who has eight convictions for ten offences – said this is the first time his client has been in custody adding that he “appears to be getting his head down and getting on with it”.

Ruba Huleihel defending Todd, who has 24 convictions for 52 offences, said her client has ADHD and was exposed to violence from a very young age.

Judge Peter Henry sentenced the pair for a variety of offences committed in the New Forest and in Dorset, including actual bodily harm, criminal damage and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

He said: “One would have thought that both of you being brought up in the New Forest you would have had more respect for such defenceless creatures.

“It was being filmed, other people were present and other people seemed to find it all very amusing.”

Both men were given restraining orders banning them from ever contacting the mother and son they attacked ever again.

This image shows the Cooper brothers and an as yet unidentified accomplice participating in hare coursing, a cruel sport in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare

Police Constable Sebastian Haggett, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team – who led the case alongside Hampshire police – said after the sentencing: “These are without doubt some of the most horrifying offences I have ever investigated.”

Angharad Thomas, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “The level of cruelty displayed in this case is beyond comprehension and the brothers showed an inexplicable disregard for the welfare of these animals peacefully existing in the wild.

“An expert witness for the prosecution described the actions of Kristen and Todd Cooper as the worst case of animal abuse they had ever come across in their 24-year veterinary career.

“The CPS welcomes today’s sentence and hopes it sends a clear message that we will continue to work with the police to bring offenders of these disturbing crimes to justice.”

Sentencing |
Kristen Cooper: jailed for five years; 10-year criminal behaviour order. Banned from owning a dog for ten years.
Todd Cooper- jailed for three years and eight months.

Daily Echo
Dorset Police
Daily Mail

*alternative addresses per newspaper reports |

Kristen Cooper: Whitelands, Bransgore BH23 8DY
Todd Cooper: Jubilee Court, Sway, Lymington SO41 6HA

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

Weaverham, Cheshire: Liam Talbot

January 15, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Liam Talbot, born 1996, of 28 Rowan Road, Weaverham, Northwich CW8 3DU – forced dogs to fight foxes and badgers to the death.

Wildlife killer Liam Talbot from Weaverham, Cheshire, UK. Pictures: Facebook

Talbot pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

He admitted making dogs fights with foxes and badgers, causing three dogs to fight with wild animals and taking and killing a badger.

Images produced in the prosecution against wildlife killer Liam Talbot

He also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a bull lurcher cross-type dog named Cid by failing to provide vet care and attention for an injury to his upper left canine tooth.

The animal fights were uncovered through Talbot’s social media posts, with Talbot uploading compilation videos of images to TikTok.

These videos were found as a result of investigations by The Naturewatch Foundation and were subsequently passed across to the police and RSPCA.

One video showed images of a person with a lamp at their waist, holding a black and white Lurcher-type dog by the collar with his left hand and a fox in his right hand.

The compilation video also shows images of a person holding up a fox whilst with a black and white Lurcher-type dog; while another person is shown holding a Lurcher-type dog on a lead in his right hand and a fox in his left hand. The fox has an injury to its hindquarters.

Another TikTok compilation videos show three dogs attacking a fox, two dogs attacking a badger, and other images of foxes and dogs.

A police warrant took place at Wolvesley Place in Winsford on February 22, 2023, during which two dogs belonging to Talbot were found.

Pepper, a nine-year-old female tan bull lurcher and Cid a nine-year-old male black bull lurcher, both had scarring to their faces and chests and were present in the digital evidence presented to the court.

A written statement from an expert veterinary surgeon said they had examined several videos that showed a ‘number of dogs in circumstances suggestive of those dogs being used for the purpose of hunting wild mammals’.

In his conclusions, he said Cid would have suffered as a consequence of an injury to the left upper canine tooth.

He said: “Once removed the tooth was described as being rotten, suggesting a timescale of at least 10 days, probably longer.”

After viewing video footage he said that both Pepper and Cid were “repeatedly placed in circumstances that exposed them to injury by fighting with wild mammals such as a fox and/or badger.

He added: “The skin scars found to be present on both of these dogs are consistent with injury via such a mechanism.”

Talbot pleaded guilty to:

Sec 4 Animal Welfare Act, Causing Unnecessary Suffering, for Sid (Dog) (Tooth)
Sec 8 Animal Welfare Act, animal fight (dogs/badgers and dogs/foxes)
Sec 9 Animal Welfare Act for three dogs causing them to fight with wild animals)
Protection Of Badgers Act Sec1 and 2 for taking and killing a badger.

Pepper and Cid were officially handed over to the RSPCA and will now be rehomed.

Speaking about the case, Chief inspector Ian Muttit, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), said: “Badger baiting has been illegal for more than 180 years, yet we still find people spending their time inflicting sickening pain, suffering and misery on animals in this way.

“It is also horrifying to see that perpetrators are then creating videos glorifying attacks on wildlife and flagrantly posting them on social media for others to view.

“We will continue to stand up for animals involved in wildlife persecution and for the dogs often caught up in these horrifying attacks.

“We would very much like to thank The Naturewatch Foundation for their initial investigations and also Cheshire Police.”

Sentencing | 16-week custodial, suspended for 18 months; community order with 25 hours of rehabilitation; six-month mental health treatment requirement; £500 costs, £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all animals for three years (expires January 2027).

Cheshire Constabulary
Northwich Guardian

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Birds, Lifers

Caerphilly, South Wales: Carol Gravenor

January 13, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Carol Ann Gravenor, born 2 May 1956, of Coed Main, Caerphilly CF83 1RS – allowed wild birds to suffer at her so-called sanctuary.

Bird rescuer Carol Gravenor kept multiple injured birds in filthy conditions

Gravenor, owner of Caerphilly Bird Rescue, pleaded guilty to six animal welfare offences after 26 wild birds were found in an unsuitable environment with their needs not being met. Many were in a suffering state.

The birds included pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon and a common buzzard.

These birds were found with numerous ailments and injuries which had not been treated adequately, including fractured wings, damaged eyes and legs, and bumble foot condition.

The environment and bird cages were found to be unhygienic and hazardous and an RSPCA inspector found predator and prey species being kept in close proximity to one another.

A peregrine falcon with a missing eye was found in a filthy cage too small to spread its wings, the RSPCA said.

It had to be put down along with 20 others.

In a written statement heard by Newport Magistrates’ Court, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben described unhygienic and hazardous conditions found during an inspection of the centre in April 2023.

The wild birds found included pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon and a common buzzard.

Some were living in a kitchen inside the property, he said, while others were loose in the garden and some were caged in sheds, and 20 were found dead.

“There were many empty soiled bird cages piled on top of each other in the garden,” he said.

“In the back garden were several pigeons walking around that looked to have dropped wings along with some domestic ducks, a domestic goose and a chicken that was obviously lame.

“We were invited into the house and on the kitchen table were two fledgling blackbirds and a nestling pigeon.”

A cardboard box on a kitchen unit also held Jackdaw with an injured eye.

Mr Hogben said he found “a peregrine falcon bird with its left eye missing” in a shed.

“The environment was poor with no water and a filthy cage which was too small for the falcon to spread its wings in all directions.

“Within two feet [0.6m] of this cage containing the peregrine falcon was another cage containing eight pigeons.

“This cage was in full sight of the cage containing the peregrine falcon, and again had no water and the cage was in a filthy condition with hardly any perches.”

All the birds were sent for assessment by a wildlife veterinarian at the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where just five pigeons were deemed fit to be given the chance of rehabilitation.

Gravenor admitted failing to take steps to ensure the needs of the 26 birds were met as required – as well as five offences relating to causing unnecessary suffering to 17 birds (full wording below).

In mitigation, her solicitor said her intention was only ever to help birds and animals, and that she had tried her best, but they accepted the contents of expert veterinary reports as she was not an expert herself.

He confirmed his client had been “overwhelmed” and “swamped” by the situation.

Following sentencing inspector Hogben said: “Keeping and rehabilitating wild birds is a huge commitment requiring specialist knowledge, husbandry, equipment and accommodation.

“While most rescues and sanctuary owners start out with the best intentions, sadly, vulnerable animals entering these establishments can sometimes end up in even worse situations than they were in already, with sanctuary owners ending up in situations not realising the severity of the problems with their establishments until it is too late.

“In this case we appreciate the well-meaning intentions to help rescue and rehabilitate wild birds in need. However, it is always imperative to seek prompt veterinary care, including seeking advice on whether birds can be successfully rehabilitated, whilst also housing any birds in an appropriate and clean environment – and clearly the consequences of failing to do that here were serious for the birds involved.”

Sentencing | 14-week custodial, suspended for 12 month; ordered to pay £300 plus £154 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.

Wales247
BBC News
Caerphilly Observer

Cats, Hoarders

Crosby, Liverpool: Mandy Swash

January 13, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | hoarder Mandy Swash, born 3 September 1970, of Rosedale Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 0UQ – kept animals in shocking squalor.

Hoarder Mandy Swash from Crosby, Liverpool Picture: Facebook

Two dead cats were discovered by RSPCA inspector Louise Showering during a visit to Mandy Swash’s previous home on Barmouth Way, Vauxhall, Liverpool, in September 2022. The charity had been called to investigate reports of dead animals and animals living in poor conditions. Showering put on a mask to go inside what was described as a “house of horrors” and said she “immediately” noticed a smell and flies everywhere.

Squalid conditions in which the RSPCA discovered two dead cats belonging to Liverpool woman Mandy Swash

Describing the conditions at the property, inspector Showering said in a witness statement: “Inside there were boxes and bags piled high making it difficult to see the floor. I had to stand on rubbish and cat litter in order to go up the stairs.

“The bathroom was in a filthy state with items covering the floor and inside the bath. The door of the back bedroom was off the hinges and resting against bags and the bed behind it.

“The window was partially obscured by piles of bags and there were many flies and fleas in the room. The landing was blocked by more items so I had to climb over these to reach the other two bedrooms.

“Inside the front larger bedroom, the bed was heavily soiled by faeces. I had to stand on rubbish just to get into the room. Inside the kitchen, I was again unable to see the floor due to the amount of rubbish.

“There was faeces and empty food packets, plastic and empty soiled bowls and litter trays. The kitchen itself was also filthy, with piles of faeces stacked up next to the sink and on the work surfaces.”

Sadly, in the living room and rear bedrooms, the RSPCA officer found the bodies of the two dead cats.

Ms Showering said: “In the lounge area, I saw a black bin bag over the top of one of the boxes. The letting agent informed me that he had spoken with Swash who told him that one of the dead cats was in a box in the lounge so I removed the box outside and found the body of a black domestic shorthaired cat inside.

“The cat appeared to have had a head injury and trauma to the eye area. In the rear bedroom, I saw a large number of fleas jumping on a blanket to the left of the door. I removed the blanket and discovered the body of a black domestic short-haired cat which appeared underweight and also had a flea infestation.”

It is believed the cat in the living room had suffered head injuries following a road traffic accident.

After the inspector left the home, more than 185 bites appeared over her body, which she said was the “worst case” of flea bites she had suffered in her 13 year career.

She said: “This was an incredibly sad case which resulted in the neglect and suffering of multiple cats.

“These cats were not provided with a suitable environment in which to live due to the heavily soiled litter trays, a heavy build up of cat faeces on work surfaces, floors, beds and soft furnishings and unsafe living conditions due to the hoarding of items such as plastic bags, and stacked items, causing potential trapping or injury hazards.

“There were no safe, comfortable, clean places in which the cats could rest. The environment was such that it would be more difficult to spot an injured cat easily. They were heavily infested with fleas and there was a build-up of faeces and detritus which would create a breeding ground for disease.”

Swash also had two female black and white cats who had been moved out of the property previously. The cats – Maud, two, and Mabel, seven – appeared in normal bodily condition and no further issues were raised.

Maud and Mabel have remained in Swash’s care and are well looked after, receiving regular vet checks and flea treatment.

Swash was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 4, 2024, where she was proven guilty in her absence.

In mitigation, the court heard how her personal circumstances are different now in terms of mental health and therefore no disqualification order was imposed.

Sentencing | 12 month community order with 20 days of rehab; eight-week curfew mental health treatment requirement; £1,250 in costs plus £114 victim surcharge. No ban.

Liverpool Echo
National World

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Scarborough, North Yorkshire: Katey Cammish

January 9, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Katey Elizabeth Cammish, born c.1988, of Hawthorn Walk, Eastfield, Scarborough YO11 3HW – locked a starved dog in a filthy kitchen

Animal abuser: Katey Cammish from Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Picture: Facebook

Cammish pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to the unnamed female lurcher-type dog. These included failure to prevent unnecessary suffering to an animal and failure to ensure the needs of an animal.

Animal abuser: Katey Cammish from Scarborough, North Yorkshire locked a dog in a kitchen to starve in squalor

Officers from North Yorkshire Police rescued the dog when they attended the property on a separate matter and found the emaciated pet living in a kitchen covered in faeces and urine with no water, food or suitable bedding. According to animal welfare experts, the smell would have been nauseating and distressing to the dog.

After being removed from the property, the dog drank copious amounts of water offered by the officers, indicating a rapid urgency to drink.

The dog’s ribs, vertebrae and pelvic bones were clearly visible and after being checked over by a vet, she was given a body condition score of 2 out of 9. She had poor muscle tone, no palpable fat on her body resulting in the protruding bones, signs of dry skin and overgrown claws.

Cammish claimed that she had left the dog in the care of someone else. She also told officers that the dog could not put weight on; this was however contradicted by the fact that the dog quickly gained weight after being taken into the care of the RSPCA.

The dog is now thriving, after being cared for by the RSPCA, and has been rehomed.

RSPCA Inspector Geoff Edmond said: “The police attended this address and found the dog in an appalling state, living in totally unsuitable conditions. The officers were very concerned and sought advice from us.

“The dog was immediately removed for her own safety and I would like to thank the police officers involved in this investigation who worked in partnership with the RSPCA to ensure she could receive the proper care and attention she needed.”

PC Sam Thompson, of Scarborough Response Team, seized the dog and led the investigation.

He said: “As a dog owner myself, I was horrified by the conditions of both the dog and its environment. I am so pleased that the dog is no longer suffering. There is simply no excuse for anybody to keep an animal in those conditions and this case should act as a reminder for all pet owners, they have a duty of care and responsibility towards their animals.”

A second person who has not yet been named for legal reasons also pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act and was disqualified from owning an animal for five years.

Sentencing | 12-week custodial suspended for 18 months; rehabilitation; £85 costs and £154 surcharge. Disqualified from owning an animal for five years (expires January 2029).

York Press

UK Animal Cruelty Files