Tag Archives: 5-year ban

Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Paul Rose

May 19, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | owl sanctuary owner Paul Allen Rose, born 5 January 1953, of Foxfield Road, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 3SJ – neglected the needs of birds in the care of his rescue and kept them in poor conditions.

Prosecution of Cumbrian owl sanctuary owner Paul Rose who neglected the needs of the birds in his care.

Paul Rose MBE, founder of The Owl Sanctuary, pleaded guilty on the day of his trial to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and one count of failing to ensure animal welfare, contrary to Section 4 and Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Prosecutor Joel Wootton told the court that officers from Cumbria Police and the RSPCA conducted inspections at two of the charity’s aviaries on March 8, 2022.

Twenty-six owls were seized from a lockup on Brady’s Yard after they were found to have been crammed into cramped, cluttered cages in an aviary that had no windows.

The owls did not have enough space to open their wings.

A further five owls were seized from the defendant’s property on Foxfield Road, Walney.

Prosecution of Cumbrian owl sanctuary owner Paul Rose who neglected the needs of the birds in his care. Pictured is Ludo who was euthanised after suffering neurological damage. — Pictured is Ludo who was euthanised after suffering neurological damage.

Two of these owls were euthanised within 48 hours due to having serious neurological problems and being unable to stand properly.

One barn owl was found to have suffered a fractured wing.

Another owl was later put to sleep whilst in the care of the RSPCA.

An RSPCA inspector commented that the owls were all ‘suffering to some degree’, the court heard.

Rose also admitted he had displayed an ‘amber listed’ tawny owl named Ludo for commercial purposes without an Article 10 certificate.

The court heard that this was the same owl that was neurologically damaged.

The court was told Rose applied for a exhibition licence to show all of his owls at local schools and other events in 2020, which was later revoked.

He was sentenced on the basis that he cared for every one of his birds, that he did not commit the offences out of any malice, and that he did so as a result of overwhelming demand for his services, his poor health and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In mitigation, Joseph Hart said his client had not been ‘deliberately cruel’.

Mr Hart added: “It is quite clear this defendant was regularly consulting vets about the birds in his care.

“He is besotted with his animals and has devoted himself to them.

“He consulted vets about the two owls that were ultimately destroyed two years before the offending. Having taken them to the vets, they were released back to him.

“He began with the best of intentions but by the time we get to March 8, he had a very large amount of owls in wholly unsatisfactory conditions and he has not sought medical advice.

“This is not a deliberate attempt to cause suffering, but it is arguably a prolonged period of neglect.

“There is no suggestion these animals were being used for commercial gain. He genuinely cared for the animals, perhaps too much as he refused to hand them over.”

The court heard Rose, who served as an RAF reservist for many years and who was awarded an MBE in 2002 for services to the defence industry, was a man of previous good character, save for a previous caution in 2011 for failing to apply for an Article 10 certificate.

Sentencing Rose, Recorder Katie Jones said: “These birds were kept in woefully inadequate conditions in dark, cold and dusty spaces. The biggest enclosure you had was 109cm x 75cm x 69cm which was significantly smaller dimensions than the recommended dimensions.

“You simply failed to discharge your duty to consider their welfare.

“It was not your intention to cause the birds any harm, but you had plenty of warning about what was expected of you.

“You could have asked for help and you should have familiarised yourself with what suitable conditions these animals need.”

Sentencing | 20-week prison sentence suspended for two years; one-month curfew. Disqualified from owning or keeping all birds for five years to give him ‘time to engage in educational work’. The order also prohibits Rose from controlling or influencing the way in which birds are kept.

The Mail

In October 2022 it was reported that the Owl Sanctuary is to be investigated by the Charities Commission after concerns were raised about how a £225,000 legacy and other funds were spent.

BBC News undertook its own investigation into the charity’s affairs and published a detailed report here.

Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Portswood, Southampton: Seyed Alavizadeh

May 17, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | backyard bully breeder Seyed Hussain Alavizadeh, born April 1983, of Laburnum Road, Southampton SO16 3LE – cropped the ears of multiple dogs “for show”.

RSPCA prosecution of extreme bully breeder Seyed Hussain Alavizadeh from Southampton, who subjected seven dogs to ear cropping. — Seyed Alavizadeh with wife Jade and Ice Berg, one of the dogs involved in the prosecution

Unscrupulous extreme breeder Seyed Alavizadeh, who traded under the name TTB Bully Camp, was prosecuted for cropping the ears of seven American bullies – namely Bora, RZA, Mr T or Tank, Nala, Ice Berg, Ghost and Mooncake – between December 28, 2021 and March 18, 2022. Some of the dogs were part of the same litter.

The company director was caught when the RSPCA, assisted by the police, intervened and brought a case against him.

During interview he claimed that he didn’t own at least one of the dogs.

While not prosecuted, Seyed Alavizadeh’s brother Arman Alavizadeh has a similar breeding operation called Defined Bullz and shared ownership of dogs is a common tactic for remaining under the radar of the authorities.

Alavizadeh later pleaded guilty to seven counts of carrying out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal.

Prosecutor Joel Wootten said the procedure would cause the dog’s ears to become “inflamed and painful”, adding that it would result in “significant suffering”.

“It affects their communication with both humans and other dogs for the rest of their lives”, he added.

Alavizadeh claimed that when he first bought a dog his or her ears had already been cropped in America where the procedure is legal.

He said that American Bullies can compete in special shows, similar to Crufts, adding: “People do it (crop ears) for show. People do it because they like the look of it.”

Judge Brian Forster KC said that the dog’s ears had been cropped “for show” and that this had been “unnecessary” and caused the animal’s “significant pain”.

“Though it can be carried out in certain countries it can’t be carried out in this country.

“In each case it was deliberate and it was done in each case knowing that the law did not allow the procedure to be carried out.

“It was done for the purpose of show.”

Mitigating, Andrew Houston told the court his client is remorseful and has no relevant convictions.

He added that “there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation” and that he is a primary carer for his relatives who would be affected if he went to prison.

Alavizadeh was not ordered to make any contribution towards costs of £12,820.82 after pleading financial difficulty.

Sentencing | 16-week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months; 100 hours of unpaid work; £156 surcharge. Five year ban from owning or participating in the keeping of a dog (expires May 2029).

Daily Echo

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers

Batley, West Yorkshire: Michelle and Ethan Farrar

May 4, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | mother and son Michelle Farrar of 122 Ealand Road, Batley WF17 8HT, and Ethan Lee Farrar of 15 Oakhill Road, Batley WF17 8JD – kept two dogs in a faeces-strewn property filled with hazards and starved and neglected one of them.

RSPCA prosecution of mother and son Michelle Farrar and Ethan Farrar from Batley, West Yorkshire - for starvation and neglect of a dog in their care. — Persistent animal abusers Michelle and Ethan Farrar were both ordered to undertake rehabilitation. The mother received a two-year ban while her son is banned from having anything to do with animals for the next five years.

The court heard that in October 2022, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Rebecca Goulding visited an address in Oakhill Road, Batley, to check on the welfare of dogs living there.

Looking through the window ARO Goulding could see two Dogues de Bordeaux – an adult and a puppy. She said: “Both dogs looked in reasonable condition, and were bright, alert and active”.

There were however concerns about the animals’ living conditions with ARO Golding stating that “the stench of urine and faeces that could be smelt from outside the property, combined with the filthy windows and stained curtains suggested that conditions inside were not suitable for the dogs. The living room appeared in complete disarray and all surfaces were covered in faeces.

“When I got inside of the house, the smell of urine and faeces in the living room was overpowering”

The RSPCA was told by the property’s resident, Ethan Farrar, that the two dogs belonged to his mother Michelle Farrar, who although the legal tenant of the Oakhill Road property, lived elsewhere, in Ealand Road.

ARO Goulding advised both the mother and son that the condition of the house at Oakhill Road was unsuitable for the dogs and that improvements must be made otherwise they would have to be removed from there.

ARO Goulding made many unsuccessful attempts to visit and contact Michelle Farrar in person. When Michelle Farrar finally did return ARO Goulding’s calls, she agreed to sign the puppy – named Rain – over to the RSPCA and to move the adult dog – Storm – from the address at Oakhill Road, to the other address in Ealand Road, which provided a more suitable environment.

Farrar was warned against the dog being returned to Oakhill Road, unless significant improvements were made to that property.

A month later, ARO Goulding returned to Oakhill Road for a spot check. To her dismay she discovered that Storm was in the property’s back yard which was full of hazards and littered with faeces.

ARO Goulding warned Ethan Farrar that if Storm was found inside the property, then she would be removed.

In February 2023, RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby visited Oakhill Road for a follow up inspection, to check that Storm wasn’t being kept at the Oakhill Road house. But on arrival, she could see a now very thin Storm sitting on a faeces-covered window ledge and noticed a strong smell of faeces and urine coming from the property’s air vents.

Ethan Farrar admitted that there had been no improvements made to the condition of the property. The Farrars had once again ignored the RSPCA’s warning not to return Storm to these filthy conditions. In addition, the dog’s body condition had seriously deteriorated and she had lost a substantial amount of weight.

Inspector Hodby advised that the dog must now see a vet, that an investigation had been started and that Storm would be in RSPCA care until the investigation was concluded.

Storm was taken into the care of the RSPCA and was thoroughly examined by a vet and treatments to improve her condition were started.

Veterinarian Dr Sean Taylor, expert witness for the prosecution, reported that the evidence indicated that as well as a 3cm (1.2in) lesion on her tongue, Storm had dental disease which was causing her to experience pain. The evidence suggested that the condition had been present for some time and Storm would have suffered for a period of at least five days, but probably longer.

In addition, Dr Taylor reported that due to the house at Oakhill Road being so unhygienic and full of hazards, Storm’s needs had not been met. He added that those responsible for the welfare of this animal had failed to provide a suitable environment

RSPCA Inspector Demi Hodby said: “It was the Farrars’ legal responsibility to properly care for Storm and they failed to do this. Not only did they repeatedly ignore instructions to improve the conditions that Storm was being forced to live in, but there was also no excuse for failing to get veterinary care for her when it was abundantly clear she so desperately needed it.

“This was a sad case and Storm’s suffering could have easily been avoided. The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their animal to ask for help and act on advice, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer.”

Storm was later rehomed by the RSPCA, and though sadly diagnosed with cancer, had a new home for the remainder of her life.

Sentencing |
Both were given 12 month community orders with 20 days of rehabilitation; each was ordered to pay costs of £400 and £114 victim surcharge. Michelle Farrar received a two-year ban applicable to all animals (expires April 2026) while Ethan Farrar received a five-year ban (expires April 2029).

BBC News
ITV News
YorkshireLive

Dogs

Colne, Lancashire: Amanda Hawkins

May 2, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Amanda Hawkins, born 3 April 1974, of Keighley Avenue, Colne BB8 9EP – failed to get veterinary treatment for her dog’s chronic ear infection and skin condition.

RSPCA prosecution of Amanda Hawkins from Colne, Lancashire, who left her pet dog to suffer with a severe ear infection and skin condition.

Hawkins admitted one animal welfare offence in relation to nine-year-old Labrador, Robin, whom she had left to suffer for at least two months.. The RSPCA had provided Hawkins with a voucher for veterinary treatment but she claimed she had mislaid it.

Sadly, Robin’s condition had deteriorated to such an extent that a vet decided he should be put to sleep on welfare grounds.

In written evidence to the court, RSPCA Inspector Vicki Brooks, who attended Hawkins’ home in Keighley Avenue, Colne, said: “I was immediately aware of the unpleasant smell that I associate with dogs that have skin issues. I advised her that I was there to check that she had taken her dog for veterinary treatment in relation to a number of health issues.

“Robin was in lean body condition and had extensive fur loss and a skin condition affecting most of his body. I could see patches where he had scratched or rubbed himself to the point of bleeding. His ears were swollen and deformed, and he was shaking his head regularly which was a sign that he most likely had an ear infection.

“Amanda Hawkins told me that she had not taken Robin to the vet because she could not afford it. I reminded her that a previous colleague had issued her with an assistance voucher to contribute towards her veterinary costs and she told me she had lost the voucher.”

Hawkins was told Robin required urgent treatment and as she had not followed previous advice, animal welfare officers may have been committed.

She agreed for the officer to take him and he was seen at the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital later that day.

In written evidence, the vet who saw him said: “Robin had signs of chronic ear problems. Both the left and right ear canal were markedly thickened, meaning it was not possible to examine them while he was conscious.

“There was a diffuse reddening of the skin over much of the dog’s body with thinning hair, especially over the back. The presence of live fleas was also noted.

“Examination under a general anaesthetic showed that the right ear canal was narrowed so far as being completely closed over. The extent of scarring, thickening and signs of infection in both ears are likely to be associated with significant pain and discomfort for this dog. Aural haematomas, as suspected in this case, often arise from head shaking as a result of ongoing ear irritation/infection.

“Ear disease with this appearance takes some time to develop. In the early stages, a simple ear infection may not cause significant suffering, but the level of scarring seen here is likely to have caused significant suffering for at least two months, likely significantly longer.”

In interview, Hawkins said that Robin had started nibbling himself and that he was treated regularly for fleas and bathed in flea shampoo. She said she had switched his food to wheat-free but that got too expensive and nothing had worked.

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Susie Micallef, who was also involved in the investigation, said: “This was a particularly sad case to deal with. Robin’s suffering could have been avoided had he received early veterinary intervention and his owner acted on the help and support that had been given to her.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work; £114 victim surcharge. Five-year ban (expires May 2029).

Lancashire Telegraph

Birds, birds of prey / raptor persecution

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham: Mitchell Wright

April 27, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Mitchell Stuart Wright, born September 1990, of 20 Cartwright Road, Sutton Coldfield B75 5LF – kept birds of prey in appalling conditions.

CPS prosecution of Mitchell Wright from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham - who kept birds of prey in appalling conditions.

Wright had 23 protected species of birds inside aviaries in Whitehill Road, Ellistown, Coalville, when officers arrived in September 2023.

Police said he was keeping the birds in poor conditions and did not have the right paperwork.

Leicestershire Police said Wright failed to hold the correct paperwork for the birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

He pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, of failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering of an animal, failing to ensure animal welfare and possessing unregistered birds.

Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team said: “We are really pleased with this result at court and are grateful to all those who helped us with caring for the birds, advising us and giving their expert opinions and statements. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

His birds are now being cared for by local falconers.

Sentencing | 12-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work; fined £85 towards Crown Prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping any animals for five years (expires April 2029).

Coalville Nub News
BBC News

bird trapping, Birds, Small Furries, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Compton, Wolverhampton: Richard Orton

April 27, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Richard Robin Orton, born 27 September 1985, of Westland Road, Compton, Wolverhampton WV3 9NY – trapped wild birds and kept them in squalid conditions in his garden.

RSPCA prosecution of wildlife persecutor Richard Orton from Wolverhampton, who trapped wild birds in his garden.

Prolific wildlife persecutor Orton used Larsen traps in his back garden to ‘trap and kill magpies’.

RSPCA inspectors visited Orton’s home after being contacted by members of the public with concerns about the welfare of birds kept in traps in his garden and found two magpies in shocking conditions.

One was housed within a wire cage with access to only half of the cage. There was only a small amount of ‘very dirty water’ present and no food the bird could access.

There was a ‘significant amount of faeces’ within the cage and it was ‘extremely foul smelling’.

In the section of the cage the bird could not access, there was what looked like a piece of rabbit skin present. The bird was in ‘poor physical condition with the breast bone prominent and muscle loss’.

The second magpie, which a vet concluded was ‘even thinner than the first’ with no fat covering and a loss of muscle, was housed within a wood and chicken wire cage with access to only half of the cage.

There was some dirty water present, which was green in colour, and there was no food present in the area of the cage the bird could access. Again, there was a ‘significant amount of faeces within the cage and it was extremely foul smelling’.

A vet’s report said: “Both birds would have suffered unnecessarily for a minimum of two weeks but in reality likely longer. They did not have their welfare needs met due to the failure to provide an appropriate environment.

“From the amount of faeces observed within the traps, it is my opinion that no cleaning or removal of droppings had occurred within the previous four weeks, but likely a considerably longer period of time. It must be stressful and distressing to-be-living-in-the-same area as you pass faeces with no-way to remove yourself from these conditions.”

RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones, who investigated Romany gypsy Orton, said: “Every year the RSPCA receives many calls from the public concerned about the use of Larsen traps to capture wild birds.

“Larsen traps can be made of wood or metal and contain two or three compartments to allow the use of a live decoy bird, like a magpie, to attract other magpies in defence of their territory.

“Although such traps are legal, strict controls relate to their use. If these are breached – and it is easy to do so – the trap setter loses the legal protection of a general licence for trapping and killing magpies and could face being prosecuted.”

He continued: “People who trap magpies could leave themselves open to prosecution should they infringe any one of a number of strict conditions relating to the use of Larsen traps. Trap setters have to provide the decoy bird with food, water, shelter and a perch and inspect the trap every 24 hours.

“Sadly there is great potential for suffering of wild birds in being contained in cramped, unsuitable spaces, as we’ve seen here with the two birds found in Orton’s possession.”

Following his conviction under the Animal Welfare Act, Orton, who is originally from Tipton and has links to Rowley Regis, can no longer use Natural England’s general licences.

The magpies were both released back into the wild.

Sentencing | ordered to pay £312. Banned from keeping birds and ferrets for five years (expires April 2029).

BirminghamLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Gateshead, Tyne and Wear: Toni Rowland

April 24, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Toni Leigh Rowland, born 22 August 1997, of Dundas Way, Felling, Gateshead NE10 9JR – left an 11-month-old dog to starve in a filthy cage.

RSPCA prosecution of Toni Rowland, a single mother from Gateshead, who starved a dog locked in a cage.

Northumbria Police found Rowland’s dog- an American bulldog called Nala – in a urine-soaked cage in a bedroom at a property in Leeming Gardens. Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, on August 27, 2023, and rushed her to a veterinary practice

The puppy was so weak she couldn’t stand for longer than half a minute without falling over. The vet gave her a body condition score of just one out of nine and estimated she had been suffering from hunger for weeks if not months.

The RSPCA was contacted and an investigation started.

In written evidence to the court, Inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws, who saw Nala at the vets, said: “She was desperately skinny and I was able to see every bone in her body.

“Her rib cage was visibly protruding from her body and I could count the bones along her spine. Her legs and back end were stained yellow with a strong smell of urine and she was unable to stand for longer than around 30 seconds or so without falling to the ground.

“I could see pressure sores on the pads of her feet and on her elbows. She was friendly despite being visibly very weak.”

The court heard that the team at Vets Now ran blood tests and instigated a feeding plan, aimed at preventing refeeding syndrome, which can be fatal.

Nala was cared for by a veterinary nurse from the practice before being transferred to the RSPCA rehoming centre for ongoing care in November 2023.

In court Nala’s owner, Rowland, a single mother whose two children have apparently been taken into care, admitted to two animal welfare offences.

Magistrates were told Rowland was suffering from “mental health problems” at the time.

When Nala arrived at the RSPCA Felledge Animal and Equine Centre in Chester-le-Street, she would urinate on the floor when staff called her name, so they stopped using it. Thankfully, there has been a happy ending for Nala, who has since been renamed Penny and rehomed with Beth Atkinson, who described her as “my world”.

Inspector Keogh-Laws praised Northumbria Police and vets for their support in the case, adding: “Without a doubt she was the thinnest dog I have ever seen alive. She couldn’t stand unaided at the vets for more than 30 seconds and was quite literally wasting away in a filthy cage.

“She was a very poorly dog when she first arrived at Vets Now in Gateshead and the team there were instrumental in her recovery. I think we were all hoping for the best but possibly fearing the worst, but they did a wonderful job. To see Penny now in her new home, transformed and living her best life with Beth, is just incredible.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 20 days of “rehabilitation” and 200 hours of unpaid work. FIVE-year disqualification order (expires April 2029).

Chronicle Live
ITV News

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Eastbourne, East Sussex: Sophie Singer and Keith Byrne

April 24, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Sophie Charlotte Singer, born April 1982, and Keith Byrne, born 27 April 1984, of 3 Beauchamp Court, 3 Wilmington Gardens, Eastbourne BN21 4PB – left their 14-year-old boxer dog to die while they swanned off on holiday to Center Parcs.

RSPCA prosecution of cruel couple Sophie Singer and Keith Byrne from Eastbourne, who left their elderly pet dog to die while they went on holiday — Sophie Singer and Keith Byrne, who left their boxer dog to starve, were given a suspended prison sentence after the judge heard they have seven children

The heartless couple refused to accept their elderly pet, known as Bentley, was suffering before they abandoned him at home in January 2022.

One of their neighbours raised the alarm in their absence, after entering the home through a broken front door to find Bentley at the foot of the stairs the day after they left.

His breathing was ‘rapid and shallow’, and the neighbour thought he was dying.

Bentley was ‘barely alive’ when an RSPCA inspector entered their home through an unlocked door the next day.

He was covered in scabs and weighed just 12.5kg – less than half the weight of an average boxer.

He had been so hungry, he turned to eating food wrappers and a felt pen found in his stomach. His claws were so overgrown they’d become talons.

Bentley was in such a poor state, police told the RSPCA inspector to remove him despite not legally being allowed to.

Judge Christine Laing KC, who said she has never owned a dog, said: ‘I find this case really extraordinary.

‘Even as a non dog owner, I would have seen instantly that this dog was in a terrible state.’

She added: ‘He would not have been able to move without being in agony.

‘The ribs showing through his skin you could not have failed to miss.

‘He had scabs and inflammation on his skin you could not have failed to miss.’

He had prominent ribs, hips and spine. His eyes were sunken and his claws were curling over.

The RSPCA did their best to save him, but Bentley died overnight after suffering months of neglect.

When contacted by the RSPCA through information found on Bentley’s chip, long distance lorry driver Byrne told them Bentley had not seen a vet for a year.

Singer said they put his condition down to old age and tiredness, claiming she believed he wouldn’t have come home if they had taken him to a vet.

The pair tried convincing the court they had left Bentley – their pet of seven years – in the care of a family friend, but the judge rejected this claim.

Judge Laing said: ‘You insist on continuing to persist with this bizarre story.

‘The dog had clearly been suffering for a very substantial period of time and you decided to swan off on holiday.

‘I’m not even convinced you had somebody to look after it or that this person even existed.

‘The animal was clearly starving. There was no food in its stomach.

‘It really is appalling behaviour. I am at a loss.

‘Both of you talk about it as if it was a beloved family pet.

‘What an example you are showing to your children about what love is.’
Singer and Byrne were convicted in their absence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to ensure his welfare.

Criticising their avoidance of court, the judge said: ‘There is no mitigation to be found.

‘I’m quite satisfied you have gone to considerable efforts to avoid the whole court process.’

The judge told them they would likely have had to serve time behind bars if they were not the parents of seven children.

Sentencing |
Singer: six month prison term, suspended for two years.; 200 hours of unpaid work.
Byrne: nine month prison term, suspended for two years; 300 hours of unpaid work.
£350 costs each.
FIVE-year ban (expires April 2029).

Sussex World
The Mirror
Metro

Dogs

Lisburn, County Antrim: Kyle Vaughan

April 22, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Kyle Vaughan, born 28 August 1997, of 100 Milltown Road, Lisburn BT28 3TZ – starved two dogs to a skeletal condition.

Prosecution of animal abuser Kyle Vaughan from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, who starved dogs to emaciation.

Vaughan, owner of vehicle valeting business K.V Carkleen, was convicted of cruelty to a Doberman-type and Husky-type dog.

The unnamed dogs were examined by a vet who found they were “suffering due to starvation”. Both had visible hip and rib bones and their spines were prominent.

The charges date back to September 2023 when a local authority animal welfare officer received a report of concern from council enforcement officers who had taken possession of the two dogs.

The dogs were taken into the care of a local animal sanctuary and nursed back to health. They have since been rehomed.

Sentencing | two-year conditional discharge; ordered to pay a total of £369 in legal costs and vet fees. Disqualified from keeping animals for five years (expires April 2029).

Belfast Telegraph

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Totton, Southampton: Carrie Hansford

April 21, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Carrie Hansford aka Carrie Matthews, born c. 1980, of Wickham Court, Totton, Southampton SO40 3GJ – caused a 10-year-old dog “unimaginable suffering” after leaving him to starve to death in an abandoned flat.

RSPCA prosecution of Southampton woman Carrie Hansford, who moved out of her home leaving behind her dog to starve to death — Heartless Carrie Hansford left her dog behind to die after moving in with a new boyfriend

Hansford left Staffy Rocky alone in her property on Junction Road, Southampton, after she moved in with a new boyfriend.

The court heard she saw Rocky the day after he died – December 17, 2022 – but left him there to rot.

Eventually a dog warden found Rocky’s emaciated body surrounded by his own faeces.

A statement from an expert vet witness said: “In the kitchen area there were hundreds of faeces deposits.

“There were also a number of household items on the floor along with a deceased male brindle-and-white Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog. The dog was wearing a slack collar and the bony prominences were easily observed.”

The court heard that Rocky had died from starvation and dehydration. He weighed less than 7kg.

The vet’s statement explained the amount of faeces in the kitchen was consistent with Rocky having had access to food and water on a regular basis for a prolonged period.

It added: “However, at some point this must have stopped, and a lack of access to food caused Rocky to lose weight and arrive at an emaciated bodily condition.

“More importantly, at some point in time Rocky’s access to water must have also stopped, resulting in dehydration and death.

“In addition, Rocky would have been spending long periods of time in social isolation. As a social species, this would have affected the mental health of this animal.”

Hansford pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between 7th August 2022 and 7th December 2022.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Mark Knight, the dog warden who discovered Rocky’s remains said it was one of the most distressing cases of animal abuse in his career.

The former veterinary nurse added: “It is clear the owner intended to leave the dog to die. She easily could have gotten assistance and help and that would’ve given the dog a chance.

“He had no chance being locked behind a door with no food or water.

“There were ripped packages, ripped everything, everywhere. The dog had been searching for food and trying to find a way to survive.

“As an animal warden, I am there for the welfare of animals. I felt raw emotion at that time.”

Mark described the punishment meted out to Hansford as “quite shocking”.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Dogs are completely reliant on their owners and to not provide for their needs is a breach of the law.

“Providing food, water and a suitable living environment are essential elements of that care.

“The vet highlighted that Rocky had been left without food and water for a prolonged period of time and the suffering Rocky endured as a result is unimaginable.”

Sentencing | four-month prison term, suspended for 12 months; 100 hours of unpaid work. A FIVE-year ban on keeping animals.

Daily Mail
ITV News
Daily Echo

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Tag Archives: 5-year ban

Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Paul Rose

CONVICTED (2024) | owl sanctuary owner Paul Allen Rose, born 5 January 1953, of Foxfield Road, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 3SJ – neglected the needs of birds in the care of his rescue and kept them in poor conditions.

Portswood, Southampton: Seyed Alavizadeh

CONVICTED (2024) | backyard bully breeder Seyed Hussain Alavizadeh, born April 1983, of Laburnum Road, Southampton SO16 3LE – cropped the ears of multiple dogs “for show”.

Batley, West Yorkshire: Michelle and Ethan Farrar

CONVICTED (2024) | mother and son Michelle Farrar of 122 Ealand Road, Batley WF17 8HT, and Ethan Lee Farrar of 15 Oakhill Road, Batley WF17 8JD – kept two dogs in a faeces-strewn property filled with hazards and starved and neglected one of them.

Colne, Lancashire: Amanda Hawkins

CONVICTED (2024) | Amanda Hawkins, born 3 April 1974, of Keighley Avenue, Colne BB8 9EP – failed to get veterinary treatment for her dog’s chronic ear infection and skin condition.

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham: Mitchell Wright

CONVICTED (2024) | Mitchell Stuart Wright, born September 1990, of 20 Cartwright Road, Sutton Coldfield B75 5LF – kept birds of prey in appalling conditions.

Compton, Wolverhampton: Richard Orton

CONVICTED (2024) | Richard Robin Orton, born 27 September 1985, of Westland Road, Compton, Wolverhampton WV3 9NY – trapped wild birds and kept them in squalid conditions in his garden.

Gateshead, Tyne and Wear: Toni Rowland

CONVICTED (2024) | Toni Leigh Rowland, born 22 August 1997, of Dundas Way, Felling, Gateshead NE10 9JR – left an 11-month-old dog to starve in a filthy cage.

Eastbourne, East Sussex: Sophie Singer and Keith Byrne

CONVICTED (2024) | Sophie Charlotte Singer, born April 1982, and Keith Byrne, born 27 April 1984, of 3 Beauchamp Court, 3 Wilmington Gardens, Eastbourne BN21 4PB – left their 14-year-old boxer dog to die while they swanned off on holiday to Center Parcs.

Lisburn, County Antrim: Kyle Vaughan

CONVICTED (2024) | Kyle Vaughan, born 28 August 1997, of 100 Milltown Road, Lisburn BT28 3TZ – starved two dogs to a skeletal condition.

Totton, Southampton: Carrie Hansford

CONVICTED (2024) | Carrie Hansford aka Carrie Matthews, born c. 1980, of Wickham Court, Totton, Southampton SO40 3GJ – caused a 10-year-old dog “unimaginable suffering” after leaving him to starve to death in an abandoned flat.

We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK