Tag Archives: Preston

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species

Morecambe, Lancashire: Charlotte Kenny

October 31, 2023 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Charlotte Emma Kenny (aka Charlotte McInally), born July 1985, previously of Finney Park Drive, Lea, Preston but now of Queen Street or Albert Road, Morecambe – for the starvation and neglect of three dogs and four cats.

Animal abuser Charlotte Kenny from Morecambe, Lancashire

Charlotte Kenny pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in relation to the following pets:

a brown dapple male bull breed type dog called Merlin
a black and tan 10-year-old Rottweiler type dog called Daisy
a two-year-old male Northern Inuit type dog called Harou
a black kitten called Loki
a tortoiseshell cat called Barney
a grey cat called Brie
a tabby cat called Maggie

Daisy (left) and Harou are two of the pets involved in the prosecution of Charlotte Kenny from Morecambe, Lancashire — Daisy (left) and Harou are two of the pets involved in the prosecution of Charlotte Kenny

Kenny was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the charity’s officers found her pets living in “disarray” at her previous home in Finney Park Drive, Preston, with animal faeces and piles of rubbish strewn throughout.

Three underweight and malnourished dogs were among the animals living at the house. A vet assessed that they had not been fed adequate nutrition for several weeks.

'Before' photos of Charlotte Kenny's dogs Daisy and Harou looking severely underweight and neglected. Photo credit: RSPCA

The RSPCA were contacted in January 2023 after a severely emaciated bull-breed dog called Merlin had been taken to a vet in a collapsed state. The dog was suffering from severe diarrhoea and had to be put to sleep.

The charity was sent Merlin’s clinical history and inspectors then made numerous unsuccessful attempts to speak to his owner, Charlotte Kenny.

During a visit to Kenny’s home inspectors could see several pets inside the squalid property, all of whom were in poor bodily condition. These included dogs Harou and Daisy and a cat. The charity left notices for Kenny to contact them but all went ignored.

Charlotte Kenny's pets were kept in atrocious conditions

On February 6, 2023, a warrant was executed by the police. Four cats found inside were immediately seized after a vet confirmed they were suffering because of the living conditions. Kenny’s surviving dogs Daisy and Harou had been moved to another address but were tracked down and removed.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Kelly Nix, who assisted with the warrant, said: “The conservatory looked like a room where dogs lived, it smelt of dogs, the couches had been ripped and they were full of dog hair and there were piles of empty cans of dog food, some of which had been chewed up.

“There was a strong smell of faeces and ammonia, the floor was damp and faeces could be seen. The lounge area looked in disarray, there were animal faeces on the floor that looked old, smashed pottery pieces, various other hazards and empty chewed up pouches of cat food.

“In the kitchen there were empty animal food bowls, more faeces and rubbish all over the floor, again the smell of ammonia was overpowering and the floor was damp. There was a mop bucket by the front door containing stagnant water. The ceiling above the sink had caved in so the water was inaccessible.

“The upstairs painted a similar picture, piles of faeces, some trodden into the carpets, mess and clutter, old dirty food bowls. The toilets were full to the brim with human faeces. The main bedroom you could hardly move in for junk, empty animal tins and rubbish.”

The rescued dogs were severely underweight -Daisy’s hip bones, ribs and spine were visibly protruding and she had long overgrown nails, scabby ears and an unkempt coat. She smelt of urine and her eyes appeared to be sticky and possibly infected. Harou was also in thin bodily condition. Although his coat was thick and fluffy, his spine and ribs could easily be felt and his legs and feet were tinged with urine stains.

A vet from the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital who examined all the animals on February 6 said the dogs were both visibly underweight and any reasonable person should have sought advice and treatment.

Daisy living her best life following her recovery. Photo credit: **RSPCA Preston & District Branch**

Daisy weighed 19 kg (41.8 pounds) when she was first examined – the average weight for a female rottweiler according to the International Canine Federation breed standard for Rottweilers is between 35 and 48 kg (77.1 to 105.8 pounds), depending on stature.

Harou weighed 24.6 kg (54.2 pounds) when first examined. Northern Inuits are a hybrid breed, however the Northern Inuit Society of America suggests the breed standard average weight for males is 36 – 48 kg (79.3 to 105.8 pounds) although again, this will vary with stature.

Both dogs made good weight gains in the weeks that followed and the vet said it was her opinion that their original weight loss was a result of inadequate nutrition for between three and four weeks, possibly longer.

Kenny had previously ignored warning notices from the RSPCA about the condition of the dogs and their living environment and had declined offers of help to reduce the number of animals she had.

In mitigation, the court was told she had been working as many hours as she could and had let the care of her pets slip as a result. Her personal situation had since improved and she had expressed remorse for what had happened and apologised.

All the animals were signed over to the RSPCA during the course of the investigation.

They were cared for by the charity’s Southport, Ormskirk & District and Preston & District branches and have since been rehomed.

Speaking after the conclusion of the court case, deputy chief inspector Susan Micallef, said: “This was a particularly upsetting case to investigate, and the situation could have been avoided had the owner followed the advice and guidance that had been given by the RSPCA previously.

“The animals were living in totally unacceptable conditions and the care they were receiving fell woefully short. The images of the dogs’ transformation are heartwarming, and I’m so pleased the animals that were rescued from the house have gone on to find lovely new homes.”

Harou is also thriving in his new home. Photo credit **RSPCA Preston & District Branch**

Deputy chief inspector Susan Micallef, said: “This was a particularly upsetting case to investigate, and the situation could have been avoided had the owner followed the advice and guidance that had been given by the RSPCA previously. The animals were living in totally unacceptable conditions and the care they were receiving fell woefully short.

“The images of the dogs’ transformation are heart-warming, and I’m so pleased the animals that were rescued from the house have gone on to find lovely new homes.”

Sentencing | 16 weeks prison suspended for 24 months; 12 month community order with 100 hours unpaid work; £400 costs to the RSPCA and victim surcharge of £154. Banned from owning animals for 10 years.

Lancaster Guardian
Blog Preston
Lancashire Post

Animal Torture, Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Penwortham, Lancashire: Dudley Payne

October 20, 2023 misanthropic 8 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Dudley Payne, born 27 August 1994, of Braintree Avenue, Penwortham, Preston PR1 9UN – tortured a puppy to death.

Puppy killer Dudley Payne from Penwortham, Preston, Lancashire. Picture: Facebook

On September 1, 2023, Dudley Payne was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the 11-week-old American bully puppy after a four-day trial at Preston Crown Court.

He was back in court for sentencing on Friday, 20 October.

Rocko was subjected to a litany of sadistic abuse at the hands of Penwortham man Dudley Payne and eventually succumbed to his injuries — Rocko was subjected to a litany of sadistic abuse at the hands of Dudley Payne and eventually succumbed to his injuries

During the trial, the jury heard that the RSPCA was contacted by a vet after the puppy, known as Rocko, was taken in dead on arrival on February 2, 2022.

A post-mortem examination showed a number of non-accidental injuries including cigarette burns, head trauma and an eyeball prolapsed from the socket.

Rocko had been seen at the vet three days before for his vaccinations and was reported to be bright, alert and responsive.

In a statement read in court, RSPCA inspector Emma Dingley said: “The vet received the post-mortem results back and immediately contacted the RSPCA. He told me on the phone it was the worst post-mortem examination report he had ever read.”

Puppy killer Dudley Payne from Penwortham, Preston, Lancashire. Picture: Twitter

Inspector Dingley contacted Payne, who confirmed he had owned Rocko for six days and bought him from a breeder named George Wilson.

When interviewed by inspector Dingley, Payne answered no comment to all questions.

A vet who gave evidence in court said Rocko’s injuries suggested “intentional harm”.

The puppy had a ruptured liver, head trauma, a partial hip fracture and abrasions consistent with being scratched by fingernails.

He also had cigarette burns to his groin area and injuries to his abdomen, and lacerations to his liver and had inhaled the contents of his stomach.

Rocko’s heart also showed signs of having a massive rush of adrenaline before he died, showing the pup was terrified.

When the vet saw the results of the post mortem, he made a report to the RSPCA, and Payne was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

In a statement read in court at the trial, RSPCA inspector Emma Dingley said: ‘The vet received the postmortem results back and immediately contacted the RSPCA.

‘He told me on the phone it was the worst postmortem examination report he had ever read.’

Payne denied the offence, claiming Rocko was in poor health when he collected him from Mr Wilson, and needed ‘a bit of love’.

Payne’s defence said in court that Rocko’s injuries were caused by his owner while he was trying to do CPR on him, however this was disproved in court by the vet giving evidence.

The court heard that further enquiries were made with George Wilson, who confirmed he sold the puppy to Payne, adding that he was the biggest of the litter and very healthy when he left.

According to Wilson, Payne told him he had left the puppy alone with his five-year-old son while he went to the shop and thought the child must have injured the puppy.

Handing down a custodial sentencing of two years and nine months, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, said: ‘The only conclusion I can draw is that you tortured that dog to death. He must have died in agony and terror.

‘You have shown no remorse. I am driven to the appalling conclusion you did it to him because you enjoyed it.’

Speaking after the hearing, inspector Dingley said: ‘I will never be able to comprehend what happened to Rocko and why such a young animal was treated in such a cruel way.

‘This investigation will stay with me forever, but I’m pleased that we were able to get some justice for this little puppy, and I think the long custodial sentence reflects the gravity of this case.’

Sentencing | sent to prison for two years and nine months. Banned from keeping animals for 15 years.

Metro
Lancashire Telegraph

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Preston, Lancashire: Dec Connor

March 30, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED | Declan Connor, born 28 December 2001, of Neptune Court, Higher Bartle, Preston PR4 0QG – hit his pet dog over the head with a metal bar.

Dec O'Connor with Bruno, the dog he hit with a metal bar

Aspiring rapper Connor admitted attacking Staffy Bruno (pictured) with the weapon but, unbelievably, magistrates have not banned him from owning animals and have allowed him to keep the dog.

Preston Magistrates took the view that a disqualification order was not necessary because Bruno was “difficult to control”.

Connor was ordered to keep Bruno under proper control and take him for an annual veterinary check up before June 14, 2023.

Sentencing | 12 month community order, £114 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Lancashire Evening Post

Equine Abuse

Preston, Lancashire: William Byrne

November 26, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | William Byrne, born c. 1975, of 7 Eastbourne Close, Preston PR2 3YR – left a horse to suffer from maggot-infested leg injury.

Stallion Tiny was put down after his owner failed to get him treatment for an ulcerated and maggot-infested leg injury.

Byrne denied causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the needs of cob Tiny, but was found guilty of the two charges.

The RSPCA was called in September 2021 after concerns were raised about a horse at a property in Mill Lane.

“On discovering the pony had a severe leg condition, police and vets were called and an investigation began. Tiny was transported to World Horse Welfare to undergo emergency treatment, but sadly despite the vets’ best efforts, Tiny had to be put down to end his suffering,” said an RSPCA spokesman.

The vet’s witness statement said that Tiny had a “known condition that had been diagnosed a year previously”, but although he had received some veterinary treatment, “further examination was denied by Byrne, and almost three months later the horse was still suffering.”

The statement added that Tiny’s legs were “ulcerated in areas, bleeding and inflamed, and there was a secondary bacterial infection present”.

“The right hind limb also had a maggot infestation, which would have also caused further distress,” it read.

“In my opinion, the owner did not act in the best interests of the welfare of this horse. A responsible, caring owner would have sought adequate veterinary care.”

In mitigation Byrne cited “incompetent care rather than deliberate neglect”.

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said it was a “very sad case”.

“We were so sad that Tiny couldn’t be saved. If he had received the appropriate treatment sooner, the outcome might have been different for him, but sadly, Mr Byrne failed to get him the veterinary care he so obviously and desperately needed,” he said.

“It’s really upsetting for us at the RSPCA, our colleagues at World Horse Welfare and the vets, who all collectively tried as hard as we could to save him.”

Sentencing | 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months; 12-week curfew. Disqualified from owning horses for 10 years.

Horse & Hound
Lancashire Post

Update | November 2023

It was reported that Byrne had lost his appeal against conviction.

After the appeal hearing, RSPCA inspector William Lamping, who was involved in the investigation, said: “Tiny hadn’t received the veterinary care he so obviously needed, to the point where maggots were tunnelling into his skin.

“A responsible owner would have recognised the gravity of the situation and acted in a timely manner, but Byrne failed to do so and Tiny suffered unnecessarily for months as a result.”

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston: Martin Mansley and Daniel Gardner

November 14, 2022 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2022) | Martin Mansley, born c. 1970, of Preesall Close, Preston PR2 1NU and Daniel Gardner, born c. 1978, of Starrgate Drive, Preston PR2 1NA – set fire to a dog pen, causing fatal injuries to a family’s pet.

Dog killers: Martin Mansley (left) and Daniel Gardner from Preston, Lancashire, UK. — Dog killers: Martin Mansley (left) and Daniel Gardner

Mansley and Gardner were jailed for a total of 19 years and 6 months for their part in an arson attack which killed a 10-year-old collie cross dog, named Patch.

Police were called to an address on Sowerby Road, near Sowerby, at around 11.30pm on September 13, 2020, to a suspicious fire.

Cruelty victim: Patch died from injuries sustained in a fire deliberately set by Martin Mansley and and Daniel Gardner from Preston, Lancashire, UK

Officers found the fire, which was started deliberately, at the front of the property, engulfing a large dog pen containing Patch.

A neighbour managed to open the kennel door to allow the dog to escape. Badly injured and in immense pain, Patch fled the scene. A search and rescue operation was launched to find him and two days later he was discovered, still alive, lying in a ditch.

Patch was rushed to a vet with severe burns down one side of his body and a damaged eye. He was also suffering from smoke inhalation and pneumonia. Due to the severity of his injuries, he couldn’t be saved and was put down a few days later.

Patch’s family suffered a second arson attempt one night after the initial attack when a bottle containing petrol was thrown at the house. Fortunately, it failed to light, and nobody was injured.

The perpetrators, Mansley and Gardner, were charges with offences related to arson but not animal cruelty.

Mansley admitted two counts of reckless arson after a week-long trial.

Gardner was found guilty of reckless arson and attempted reckless arson.

Detective Constable Mark Ryan said: “These were targeted and dangerous crimes which resulted in the death of a much loved family pet.

“The injuries suffered by the dog have caused a significant amount of trauma to the family and I thank them for their bravery in telling the court about the impact these crimes have had on them.

“Compounding this suffering, the offenders have returned and recklessly tried to set fire to the house with them in it.

“I hope this sentencing sends out a warning to people who think this irresponsible behaviour is acceptable, that they will be tracked down and prosecuted.”

Sentencing |
Custodial: Mansley was sentenced to 11 years with an extended 5 years on licence and Gardner was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months.

Lancashire Telegraph

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Blackpool, Lancashire: Natasha Jolly

May 12, 2021 misanthropic 20 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Natasha Ivy Jolly, born 29 December 1990, of 105 Ribble Road, Blackpool FY1 4AA – locked her dog in a dark stairs cupboard to starve to death

Natasha Jolly, who has links to Preston, Blackburn, Clitheroe and Leigh in Wigan, was disqualified from keeping animals for life after she shut her dog in an understairs cupboard and left her to die.

The RSPCA said a neighbour who was concerned about the smell coming from the flat found the female tan coloured terrier type dog, whose name was not known, deceased and covered by a sheet.

The unnamed female tan terrier was found dead covered by a sheet at Jolly's previous address in Grasmere Road, Blackpool — The unnamed female tan terrier was found dead covered by a sheet at Jolly’s previous address in Grasmere Road, Blackpool

The floor of the cupboard was covered in old dog faeces and there was no natural light or any form of appropriate bedding.

The dog was in an emaciated state with all of her bones visible and protruding.

Inspector Will Lamping, who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity, took the dog’s body to a veterinary surgeon to be examined.

The vet found no evidence of underlying disease conditions suggesting she died of starvation.

The post mortem revealed that the dog’s stomach contained faeces and plastic clothing tags, suggesting that she was so hungry she was eating anything she could find. The vet confirmed the dog would have suffered for a number of months.

The court heard how a witness who found the dog had been affected by their tragic discovery.

They said: “This whole incident has left me shocked and disgusted.

“I can’t imagine how this poor dog felt starving to death.

” I just can’t seem to get it out of my head”.

In passing sentence, magistrates commented: “We found this case quite distressing, involving a prolonged and deliberate act resulting in a dog starved to death”.

Inspector Lamping said: “This was a truly shocking case to investigate. It is difficult to think of the suffering that this dog went through as she laid hungry and alone in a tiny cupboard with no light until her death.

“I would urge anyone who ever finds themselves in a situation where they are struggling to feed or care for their animal, to call the RSPCA emergency line on 0300 1234 999 and we will always do our best to get help to the animal in need.”

Sentencing: 14 weeks in custody, suspended for two years; 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement; £150 costs. Lifetime disqualification order (but can appeal after 10 years).

LancashireLive
Blackpool Gazette

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Ribbleton, Preston: Steven Klein, Melanie Harding, Kelly Oldham

August 16, 2020 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | Steven Edward Klein, born c. 1969, his partner Melanie Harding, born 20/01/1972, and their lodger Kelly Marie Oldham, born c. 1999, all of Rowan Avenue, Ribbleton, Preston PR2 6QE – charges relating to the physical and mental abuse of four dogs

Steven Klein social media photo — Steven Klein

Staffies Trinity, Harley, Quinn and Petrol were heard yelping by a neighbour as Steven Klein hit, kicked and threw things at them.

The court heard a witness’s flat overlooks a communal area where Klein, who owns Harley, his girlfriend Melanie Harding – owner of Trinity and Quinn – and their lodger Kelly Oldham, Petrol’s owner, keep their dogs.

The neighbour reported she had seen and filmed Klein losing his temper, shouting and swearing at the dogs and being physically abusive on an “almost daily basis” and reported it to Gateway Housing, which in turn reported it to the RSPCA.

RSPCA prosecutor Paul Ridehalgh said: “The case involves potentially painful and frightening handling and control methods employed by Stephen Klein which were known and observed by Melanie Harding and Kelly Oldham and they failed to protect their dogs from Stephen Klein.

“She has observed the dogs cry out after being hurt and they appear scared of Mr Klein. She has provided CCTV video of the communal area showing various incidents that have occurred and this video corroborates her written description of the incidents.”

One of the four dogs physically abused by Steven Klein

Videos show Klein kicking a lighter coloured dog, who ran away lame in the right hind leg, holding another dog down and forcibly slapping her, and swiping at a dog with the broom, hitting his head.

Further video evidence shows Klein pick up a ball and throw it forcefully at a dog, into his side, as he tries to run past.

In May 2019 the dogs were seized and the three defendants interviewed.

In interview Klein claimed that he would use a stick to “control” the dogs and after being shown the video clips he claimed that he was “just playing” with the dogs.

He denied failing to ensure their needs were met by failing to protect them from suffering but was found guilty after a trial.

Sentencing |
Klein: ordered to pay a total of £570 in fines, costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for six years (expires August 2026).
Harding and Oldham, who were described in court as ‘vulnerable’ were ordered to pay £300 costs. They were banned from keeping animals for just four years (expires August 2024).

Lancashire Post

Birds, Hoarders, Multiple Species, Other Mammals, Pet Profiteering, Pet Theft, Serial Animal Abusers

Preston, Lancashire: Bradley Tomes

July 13, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | unlicensed animal trader Bradley Michael Tomes, born 27 April 1995, of Moss Lane, Hesketh Bank, Preston PR4 – kept dozens of exotic animals in filthy conditions and with untreated injuries.

Tomes pleaded guilty to 15 offences under the Animal Welfare Act after dozens of neglected exotic animals had to be rescued by the RSPCA.

The offences relate to six iguanas; two mara (large rodents from South America); 16 peafowl; two pelicans; three agouti (a rodent native to America and South America); five porcupines; one green parakeet; two jardine parrots; one golden pheasant; one green winged macaw; one white necked raven and one cape parrot.

Some of the animals rescued from Bradley Tomes of Preston, Lancashire

In January 2019 the RSPCA were called by police to a farm on Taylors Meanygate in Tarleton and found the animals being kept in squalid and unsuitable conditions. The charity then attended a second address on Moss Lane, Tarleton where a shed-type building at the back of the premises contained a number of animals.

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Alison Fletcher said: “Some of these animals were species we as RSPCA inspectors of many years’ experience had never dealt with before, and it was a shock to see them kept in such conditions.

“Both locations were filthy. Many of the animals were in accommodation that was obviously completely unsuitable, did not have access to food or water, or were suffering.

“At the farm, we found two mara inside a small plastic transportation crate on the floor of one of the make-shift buildings. Mara are a large rodent who stand up on their hind legs. The height of the crate was 300mm, or just 12 inches. The depth of the crate was 560mm, and the length was 870mm giving no real room for them to move around.

“A squalid enclosure at the same location housed three agoutis, two pelican and 13 peafowl (pictured above).

“Four porcupines (pictured right) were in a pen which was wet and muddy with just a small structure for shelter – temperatures on site were close to freezing with snow and driving rain.

“At the second address a macaw was found in a black crate, similar to a dog crate. The bird’s tail feathers were touching the sides of the crate.

“The iguanas were at this location too – all six of which were in poor body condition and four had injuries to their tails.”

Two animals, an Agouti and a Mara, subsequently died, and the court heard further dead birds and animals were discovered at the same locations but are not subject to charges, as the cause of death cannot be established.

In mitigation the court heard that Tomes had an interest in animals all of his life and had been employed as a zoo keeper.

He had signed all of the animals over in February 2019 and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He had gone through a difficult break up but had now turned his life around and had a new job and new relationship.

The surviving animals were rehomed to specialist keepers.

Sentencing: 20 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; 25 rehabilitation days; 120 hours of community service; total of £615 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping all animals for five years with no appeal for two years (expires July 2024).

Lancashire Post

Update | October 2020

Bradley Tomes was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to stealing £25,000 of rare birds including two penguins from South Lakes Safari in Cumbria.

Bradley Tomes pictured outside court — Zoo-keeper Tomes was jailed for nearly three years after breaking into his former workplace to steal rare birds.

The former zoo-keeper had worked at the safari park for four years up until 2016, on two occasions.

He carried out the ‘carefully coordinated’ burglaries in July and October 2018 but was caught red-handed when he tried to transport the penguins to a collector’s home in January 2019.

Tomes pleaded guilty to stealing 12 spoonbill birds on July 22, 2018 and then two Humboldt penguins and three macaws on October 27 of the same year. He also admitted transporting and selling the animals.

Sadly, none of the 12 spoonbills valued at more than £20,000 were ever recovered.

Daily Mail

Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Preston, Lancashire: John Bunting

June 13, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | John Christian Joshua Bunting, born 24 March 1995, previously of Garstang Road North, Preston and more recently (December 2020) of Sherwood Road, Lytham St Annes FY8 4BL – caught on camera beating his pet dog.

Disco was filmed being beaten by her cruel owner John Bunting from Preston, Lancashire, UK — Abused dog Disco

Bunting pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, known as Disco, under the Animal Welfare Act.

The RSPCA was called by police on 8 September 2018 after they had arrested Bunting, seized the dog, and taken him to a vet practice.

RSPCA inspector Alison Fletcher said: “I met Disco before I saw the footage, which is distressing to watch.

“He was brought into the room by a male vet and he was extremely frightened. He had no obvious injuries but it was impossible to touch him without causing him distress.

“When I attempted to pick him up to place him in the kennel at the rear of my van and take him to the animal centre he went into blind panic. I did eventually manage to coax him inside after around 20 minutes of sitting with him and calmly reassuring him.”

In the first of three video clips Bunting can be seen entering the rear garden of a property on Garstang Road North, Wesham and walk over a grassed area partially out of view. A dog can be heard to cry out. He then appears at the corner of the house holding Disco in his left hand, by the scruff of the neck. He strikes the dog with his right hand a number of times while carrying him into the house. Disco can be heard to cry out again a number of times.

A second clip shows shadowy figures behind the frosted glass of the rear house door. Noises consistent with a slap and a dog vocalising can be heard. The door opens, a man’s voice can be heard to shout “Get out” and Disco runs out into the garden followed by Bunting. The dog runs onto the grassy area and sits down with his back to the garden wall and facing the house. The dog remains in the garden and Bunting returns back into the house.

A third clip shows Bunting standing over Disco before picking him up by the neck. Bunting carries Disco over to a brick-built outhouse within which the dog is placed. Bunting picks up a long piece of polystyrene and repeatedly hits something inside the outhouse. It is not clear whether he is striking Disco, though this was admitted by Bunting in interview.

The court heard that Bunting handled Disco in the manner seen in the footage because Disco wouldn’t go to the toilet, and would sit on the grass and not want to come in, then when he came back into the house he would urinate and defecate there. He said that he was trying to move Disco from behind the door to mop the floor.

Veterinary opinion was that it was likely that Disco had been subjected to shouting or violence when urinating and defecating, which caused him to become anxious when performing these bodily functions. It continued that this had led to him associating the garden with a place in which he experienced anxiety. In a similar way, when Disco urinated or defecated in the house and he was punished, there would be an association with an unpleasant experience in the house.

“This poor dog was in turmoil, caused to suffer physically and mentally,” said Inspector Fletcher.

“It has taken a great deal of love, patience and training from the wonderful staff caring for him at RSPCA Southport, Ormskirk and District Branch Animal Centre, but I saw him today and he’s like a different dog.

“I’m very happy to say that he’ll be looking for a new home soon.”

Sentencing | 18-month community order, 15 rehabilitation action requirement days, 300 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay £500 costs and £85 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for four years (expired June 2023).

Daily Mail

Cats, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Preston, Lancashire: Angela Roe

November 16, 2018 misanthropic 16 Comments

CONVICTED (2018) | Angela Roe (since deceased) of Birkdale Drive, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 – live-streamed a video showing her abusing a cat who was later found dead

Angela Roe from Preston live streamed a sickening video showing her attacking a cat who was later found dead

The sickening footage, which was screened on Twitter’s live-streaming video app Periscope – showed pet cat Misty screaming in agony as her owner, Angela Roe, bit and roughly handled her.

Misty was tragically found dead at Roe’s home by police after the incident was reported by a sickened friend.

Preston Magistrates’ Court heard the witness, who became online friends with Roe, saw Misty on her lap in a live stream on August 26 2017, in which she was “squeezing and shaking” the animal.

She was shouting, calling the cat a ‘pyscho’ and suggesting she should ‘not bite the hand that feeds’.

The woman then saw Roe bite the distressed cat’s ear, causing her to scream in pain.

Roe was heard to say it “needs to be disciplined or it will walk all over me.

Roe, who has mental health problems, was then seen to self harm and rub blood on the cat’s fur.

The worried woman corresponded with Roe the next day on Periscope, whilst Roe was drunk. She said her ‘other personality was going to come out. The bad side, the Jekyll; and Hyde nasty side of me.’

Misty was seen walking around and appeared to be fine, but the clip showed Roe put her on her lap again and say: ” Can she kill the cat and then kill herself?”

The witness pleaded with Roe saying: “Don’t do that – if you don’t want the cat I will give it a home.”

The court heard Roe told her viewer the only way she would kill her is by ‘starving her’. The woman could then hear the cat screaming but the video then ended.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Paul Ridehalgh said: ” Around 25 minutes later the broadcast resumed and the defendant typed:”My cat has just attacked me” and claimed Misty was ‘demonic’.”

The concerned friend asked what had happened and Roe told her the cat had attacked her and turned her phone camera around to show blood on the table, wall, skirting board and door in her home, which Roe claimed had come from her finger.

Mr Ridehalgh added: “When she was asked where Misty was she ‘became very aggressive and hissed like a cat’ at the screen.”

Roe claimed Misty was asleep on a ledge in the living room, but when the woman saw the cat it looked ‘stiff’, and she called the police.

When officers arrived they found Misty dead on the window sill, with blood on her.

Roe, who was drunk, claimed it was from her own self harming and said the cat was asleep. There were dirty dishes and rubbish strewn over the floor.

Misty’s body was taken to a veterinary pathology department in Liverpool, which indicated the cat, who had various injuries, including a haemorrhage in her lungs and bruises, had died from being smothered.

Roe was not convicted of this as there was insufficient evidence she was directly responsible, but she admitted causing Misty unnecessary suffering and failing to meet her needs.

The court heard in March 2018 police attended Roe’s home again to speak to her and she declared: “There is a video dating back to August this year. The cat bit me and I bit her back. I was ******** out of my head.”

Roe thanked the bench as they agreed to suspend her 12 week jail term for a year on account of her mental health and alcohol issues. The chairman of the bench noted her “deliberate attempt to cause suffering” and added: ” The act was purely intentional as far as you were concerned.”

Sentencing:
12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year; rehabilitation activity and alcohol treatment requirement. Total costs and charges of £490. Banned from keeping animals for life.

Source: Lancashire Post (article removed)

Update August 2019

We are advised that Angela Roe has died.

UK Animal Cruelty Files