CONVICTED (2008) | dog fighter Clayton Paul Beard, born 2 May 1983, and as of June 2021 of The Beeches, Prospect Way, Birchills, Walsall WS2 7FD

Clayton Beard, then of Cannon Street, Ryecroft, Walsall, had three dogs in his possession when RSPCA inspectors raided his home in 2007. Beard, whom locals nicknamed “the Dog Man”, admitted owning two male and one female pit bulls, causing unnecessary suffering to one of the dogs, possessing animal fighting equipment and keeping or training the dogs for fighting purposes.

A treadmill and other equipment was found at Beard’s home and the court heard how he forced his dogs through a cruel daily training schedule. A makeshift veterinary kit, which included superglue for sealing fighting wounds, was also discovered.

One dog, called Lee, had suffered 70 wounds. Another two animals also had 35 wounds and 24 wounds each.

Magistrates ordered two dogs to be destroyed immediately.

The case was the first dog fighting prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, according to the RSPCA.

Magistrate Michael Kearns said a custodial sentence had been “inevitable”.

He told Beard that he had three “highly dangerous dogs of an aggressive breed” in his possession.

The three dogs had received many wounds “over a prolonged period which must have caused them suffering”, but Beard had made “no effort” to seek veterinary attention for them.

Instead, Beard had been involved in treating the animals’ wounds so that they could fight again, the court heard.

The court heard that Beard was a man of “limited cognitive ability” who had received “abuse” from his neighbours.

Speaking outside court, Chief Inspector Ian Briggs, of the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, said he was “extremely pleased” with the custodial sentence and ban.

He said: “People involved in these activities should not be able to own animals.”

He said that animal protection bodies had welcomed the new offences of possessing articles adapted for training animals to fight, and keeping animals in connection with fighting.

He said: “We always come across these articles on dog fighting operations, but before it’s never been an offence.”

Sentencing: 18 weeks in custody. Banned for life from keeping or being responsible for any animals.

Birmingham Mail
Express & Star
BBC News

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Additional information

In November 2007 an Irish traveller named Ceri Louisa O’Neill, also from Birchills in Walsall, was banned from keeping dogs for three years after admitting selling the pit bull terrier known as Lee to Clayton Beard.

James Cooper, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court the offences came to light when an inspector and police officers visited Beard’s home following a tip-off.

Mr Cooper told the court the inquiry then moved to Miner Street, where O’Neill lived at the time with adult sons James and Patrick O’Neill and daughter Astar Louise O’Neill.

He said: “The defendant accepted the dog had been in her possession and that she took it to Beard to be treated by him and in fact sold it to him for £100.”

When pit bull expert Jane Robson examined Lee there was evidence of more than 45 wounds, scabs on his face, head, chest and legs. Some were four to six weeks old.

Mr Stephen Scully, defending, said: “Earlier this year her ex-husband brought the dog as a gift. He told her he rescued it from fighting.”

He said when the couple split the dog was left in her care. She took him to Beard later that day after the animal was involved in a “scrap” with other dogs in Pelsall after her daughter took him to a fair without her permission.

Ceri Louise O’Neill is now deceased.

As of June 2021 Astar O’Neill, born 24 July 1991, lives at the Caravan Site, Ruthin Road, Coedpoeth, Wrexham LL11 3BP.