Elgin, Moray: Samantha Little

February 27, 2015 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2015) | Sammii Little, born 08/02/1993, of Leuchars Drive, Elgin IV30 4AU – starved a lurcher-collie to death

Elgin dog killer Samantha Little let crossbreed Hamish (pictured) starve to death — Sammii Little let crossbreed Hamish (pictured) starve to death

Little kept crossbreed Hamish in such pitiful condition that his body was found among piles of droppings after he had eaten poisonous painkillers.

Elgin dog killer Samantha Little let crossbreed starve to death

A worker from the Scottish SPCA went to Little’s then home and found Hamish’s remains “in a particularly emaciated condition, with faeces lying around the body. No food or water was available for the dog, and dry bowls were found in the kitchen area”.

The court heard empty and chewed ibuprofen packets were also found in the kitchen.

When the animal’s remains were sent for post mortem the vet found rigor mortis had disappeared and decomposition was beginning to set in.

The cause of death was confirmed as starvation combined with ibuprofen toxicity.

Analysis showed Hamish had suffered severe muscle loss in his limbs and trunk and his eyes were milky white in colour and “completely sunken in”.

The vet found no dental abnormalities to explain why he might have stopped eating, and said ulcerations in the dog’s stomach were consistent with him having consumed ibuprofen.

Little admitted the charges to police when she was questioned in April 2014.

In court, her solicitor Stephen Carty said she and her former partner had looked after the dog together until they split up.

Mr Carty said: “Her family situation at the time was very difficult, but she accepts she did not care for the animal.

“She did make efforts to rectify the situation by calling her support worker but that was all rather late in the day.”

Sentence: 100 hours of community service. Banned from owning any animal for 10 years (expires February 2025).

Press and Journal

dog fighting, Dogs, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Bolton, Greater Manchester: John Psaila

February 24, 2015 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2015) | “key figure” in British dog-fighting John George Psaila, born 02/12/1965, of Alan Ball House, Bolton Road, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 7AT

Key figure in British dogfighting John Psaila from Bolton., Greater Manchester — John Psaila is believed to be behind some of most serious dog fighting gangs in the country

RSPCA officers uncovered what was in effect a training school for pit bull terrier-type dogs at John Psaila’s previous home in Thornvale, Abram, Wigan.

Psaila admitted 14 allegations including training dogs for the purpose of fighting, possession of equipment designed or adapted for use in dog-fighting and possession of pit bull terrier-type dogs.

Officers even discovered one dog being trained on a treadmill when they arrived at Psaila’s address in summer 2014.

Inspectors from the RSPCA’s special operations unit – which investigates organised animal crime – joined officers from Greater Manchester Police on warrants at Psaila’s Abram address, as well as a house on Lowton Street in Radcliffe, Manchester, on June 9, 2014.

Inspectors found dog-fighting paraphernalia and medical supplies for treating wounds at Psaila's home — Inspectors found dog-fighting paraphernalia and medical supplies for treating wounds at Psaila’s home

They were acting on information that he was involved in organised dog-fighting and an allegation he was preparing to take a dog to a fight.

At the Abram address they found what resembled a training school for fighting dogs, including treadmills, weighing scales, home veterinary kits with medication and muscle-gaining powder and breaking sticks, which are typically used to separate dogs during a fight.

One of Psaila's fighting dogs — One of Psaila’s fighting dogs

The RSPCA found Psaila had two pit bull-type dogs – called Ziggy and Tip – in his care and he subsequently admitted training both of the dogs to fight.

Psaila also admitted to training a dog called Cruise to fight. Although the dog was not found at either address, texts from his phone revealed plans to arrange a fight between Cruise and another unknown dog.

Footage of the dogs being trained on treadmills was found on the defendant’s mobile phone, said the RSPCA.

Other paraphernalia such as dog-fighting yearbooks and magazines, as well as a bucket and a sponge covered in blood were also discovered at a property belonging to Psaila.

John Psaila's pit bull tattoo — Psaila’s pit bull tattoo

The father-of-two, who has a pit bull tattooed across his back, winked at his daughter when he was jailed after admitting a series of crimes under the Animal Welfare Act.

Magistrates also ordered the destruction of two pit bull-type animals as they were considered too dangerous to spare.

Sentence: jailed for 121 days. Banned from keeping animals for life.

Manchester Evening News
BBC News

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

Stanley, County Durham: Paul Carroll

February 24, 2015 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2015) | Paul Carroll, born 24/07/1963, of Mitchell Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham DH9 7BQ – drowned his dog and dismembered her body, then blamed black magic for her death.

Dog killer: Paul Carroll from Stanley, Co Durham, drowned Bedlington terrier Molly (pictured) in the bath and then dismembered her body — Paul Carroll from Stanley, Co Durham, drowned Bedlington terrier Molly in the bath and then dismembered her body

Carroll held Bedlington terrier Molly underwater in a bath, then tried to bury her at the Hat and Feather Inn pub near Consett.

Paul Carroll from Stanley, Co Durham, drowned Bedlington terrier Molly (pictured) in the bath and then dismembered her body — Victim Molly

Fearing the dog’s remains would be discovered, he cut her body up in to a number of pieces and put it down the drain at the back of the property. Molly’s dismembered body was found by drainage workers called to unblock it.

RSPCA inspectors and police removed a further three dogs and a snake from the house, which was littered with excrement, once the investigation was launched in January 2015.

Margaret Carroll (aka Margaret Taylor) and daughter Katrina Livingstone were jailed for four years for arson but were cleared of animal cruelty

Margaret Carroll, born 04/07/1954, of First Street, Watling Street Bungalows, Consett DH8 6HW, was originally charged with helping her husband drown the dog but was later cleared. She is currently serving a four-year jail sentence for starting a fire at the family home, alongside daughter Katrina Livingstone, born 26/08/1977, of the same address, in an attempted suicide bid.

Sentence: 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 12 months, supervision order. Banned from keeping animals for ten years (expires February 2025).

ChronicleLive
Daily Mail

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Dogs, Hoarders, Pet Profiteering, Pet Shops

March, Cambridgeshire: Rob Phipps

February 20, 2015 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2015) | Robert Harry Phipps, born 07/12/1978, of Station Road, March PE15 8LB – for the neglect of 34 ‘rescued’ dogs kept inside a warehouse

Rob Phipps kept dozens of rescue dogs in squalid conditions and with no access to water

In late 2013 the RSPCA was given information that pet shop owner Phipps, who ran JJ Rescue, was keeping dogs in cramped conditions in cages at a warehouse in Commercial Road, March, and launched an investigation.

What they found at the premises were two smallish rooms each housing 17 dogs in metal cages. One room was a closed internal space without fresh air or natural light.

RSPCA chief inspector Mark Thompson explained: “There were serious concerns for their welfare, but despite several visits and a lot of welfare advice the conditions of these dogs did not improve and the advice was not followed. We then attended along with the police and a vet in February 2014 when police took the dogs and put them in RSPCA care.”

The court heard that the dogs were kept in crates overnight without access to water. Some cages had two dogs inside.

One dog suffered facial injuries where their cages were pushed closely together and they were fighting.

One dog later lost an eye because the vets could not save it following infection for a fight injury.

There was blood where dogs had been fighting and some dogs had excrement in their cage.

Phipps said he was willing for the dogs to be re-homed but could not get a commitment from the RSPCA that dogs would not be put to sleep.

He said he would rather have dogs in crates than in kennels, where they are “not happy” and “spinning”.

He said the dogs would normally be in crates overnight from 10pm to 8am. In the morning, they would be let out for water and fed.

Dogs would be walked two to three times a day and the crates would be cleaned every day, Phipps said.

He estimated he had spent thousands of pounds on vet bills to ensure dogs got the appropriate care.

Phipps said the dogs were getting an appropriate amount of food and exercise, and were well hydrated.

If there were two dogs in the same cage, it was because they were brother and sister and “could not be separated” due to their level of attachment.

Phipps was found guilty of:

Failing to provide a suitable environment for 34 dogs,
Failing to provide the dogs with an appropriate supply of drinking water, and
Causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by housing them in cages next to each other, allowing them to fight through the bars and cause injuries to each other.

Deputy district judge Boswell said: “This man had the very best of intentions but simply took on more than he could handle.

“However, this is a serious case. As an experienced dog handler he should have known that keeping dogs in those conditions was wholly unacceptable.

“Out of your sheer desire to take in dogs to re-home them, you kept your eyes closed to the conditions they were being kept in.”

Sentence: 12-month community order, 180 hours of unpaid work, £1,000 costs and a £60 surcharge. Disqualified from keeping dogs for three years, later reduced to 18 months on appeal (ban expired).

CambsTimes

Update August 2020

Rob Phipps continues to run a pet shop business in Station Road. He lives in a flat above the shop after being forced to sell his home. Alternative Facebook account here.

Dogs

Kirkcaldy, Fife: Carrie and Joseph Brady

February 18, 2015 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2015) | Carrie Brady (née Carrie Reid), born August 1986, and Joseph Brady, born May 1978, both of Cairns Street East, Kirkcaldy KY1 2DS – left their three Staffies to suffer from an agonising skin condition

Convicted dog abusers Carrie and Joseph Brady from Kirkcaldy

The Bradys pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary attention for their dogs Opal, Poppy and Tyson, who were all suffering from skin conditions.

Vet photo of Opal — Opal was in the worst condition but recovered in the SSPCA’s care

Commenting on the investigation and court case, Scottish SPCA Chief Inspector John Chisholm said, “Opal had the most severe skin complaint. She had significant areas of hair loss and her skin was red and inflamed over almost her entire body.

“Poppy was bleeding and had some areas of hair loss on her back and limbs.

“Tyson had thinning of the hair on his back and underside, particularly on his rear legs.

Carrie Brady was only banned from keeping dogs for three years. That ban has now expired.

“All three dogs were scratching in an attempt to gain some relief from the pain and discomfort caused by their skin conditions.

“We are pleased Reid and Brady have received a ban and hope they will fully consider their ability to care for any more dogs in the future.

“Thankfully Opal, Poppy and Tyson all made full recoveries and have since found loving new homes.”

Sentencing: £200 fine each. Banned from owning dogs for three years (expired 2018).

The Courier

Dogs, Traveller Animal Crimes

Burry Port, Carmarthenshire: Shaun Hearne

February 15, 2015 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2015) | Shaun Leo Marshall Hearne, born 26/05/1994, of Isgraig, Burry Port SA16 0DE – kept four dogs in a van covered in faeces and failed to feed them properly

Career criminal and convicted animal abuser Shaun Leo Marshall Hearne from Burry Port, Wales

Career crook Hearne pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

The court heard RSPCA inspectors had visited the defendant on March 4, 2014, after reports of dogs in a poor condition being held in a white van.

“When they found the animals they noticed some were very thin and some were in a reasonable condition,” the prosecutor said.

He added that there was no water found for the dogs.

Inspectors were called out due to the weather and the “overpowering smell of excrement”.

“Hearne was told that it was unacceptable and he promised to keep them in a better location,” the prosecutor said.

However when they returned three days later they found the same four dogs in the van and the smell was even stronger. At this point the vet and police were contacted.

“Mr Hearne was cautioned and at that time he said ‘get out of my face or I will put you on the floor’,” he said.

Mr Tarrant said: “The floor was covered in excrement and it stung the inspector’s eyes and it made breathing difficult.”

The court heard that all four animals were seized.

Two dogs were found to be seriously underweight and had pressure sores due to a lack of adequate bedding.

Within a month, the two animals had seen their body weight increase by 30%, simply through nourishment.

Sentence: 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, total of £1,560 in costs and charges. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expired February 2020).

Source: Llanelli Star Facebook post (article removed)

Update September 2021

Hearne pleaded guilty to being involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was jailed for eight years and eight months.

Source: Dyfed-Powys Police

Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Malvern, Worcestershire: Leyton Harford

February 12, 2015 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2015) | Leyton Charles Harford, born 29/07/1983, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern WR14 2HA – beat a 10-week-old puppy over the head repeatedly causing it to swell like a tennis ball

Dog abuser Leyton Harford from Malvern in Worcestershire, UK, and victim Riddle

Harford was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary harm to an animal.

In November 2013 the RSPCA were called to Harford’s flat after complaints a puppy had been hit 15 times over the head with a chew toy and also ‘kicked until it collapsed’.

When inspector Pippa Boyd approached the young Staffy, called Riddick, she said he was very subdued with noticeable swelling on his head.

Dog abuser Leyton Harford from Malvern in Worcestershire, UK

Harford claimed the injury had been caused after Riddick went out to the toilet and disappeared around a corner only to yelp moments later when he heard the sound of a car driving away.

But Rafe Turner, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said Harford’s story changed three times during questioning adding it was ‘blindingly obvious’ he had beat the dog.

A vet called as an expert witness said it would be nearly impossible for that type of injury to be caused by a car without there being other cuts and grazes. He also said it was unlikely it was caused by a kick either.

Pictures were shown to the court of Riddick with the ‘half-tennis ball sized’ lump on his forehead, which Harford had claimed were taken by a relative on the night of the accident.

But the vet witness said the swelling would have taken up to 18 hours to get that bad.

Harford did admit to the charge of causing further unnecessary harm to the puppy by failing to take him for treatment after the injury claiming it would have cost him a ‘fortune’ and he was already ‘on the sick’ with Christmas approaching.

During the investigation, he said: “I know I did wrong, I made a mistake but I have been a good owner and I have put time and effort into him.”

While Riddick was in temporary foster care he hid under the table for half an hour after weeing by the back door, the court heard. The vet said this was a result of him being ‘extremely scared’ of the repercussions.

Sarah Brady, for Harford, said her client was “in rather poor health, he’s been having investigations for months in relation to chronic vomiting.”

Brady added: “This is a matter that’s caused him difficulties at home, he’s struggled to leave his house. His family have received threats.”

Addressing the court magistrate John Taylor said: “The defendant showed total disregard for the welfare of this dog. He could not give a credible explanation as to what happened, when it happened and how.”

Leyton Harford hit puppy Riddick over the head and kicked him until he collapsed — Harford hit puppy Riddick over the head and kicked him until he collapsed

RSPCA inspector Boyd said: “I am very pleased with the outcome of this case, which reflects the seriousness of Mr Harford’s actions against Riddick, the puppy.

“Riddick, who was an extremely subdued and non-interactive pup, has now developed into a lively, playful dog. He has been found a new home where he has settled in well and he is enjoying his new life.”

Sentencing: Curfew. Total of £1,860 costs and charges. Lifetime ban on keeping animals with no leave to appeal for ten years.

Worcester News
Malvern Observer

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

Barrhead, East Renfrewshire: Sam John Andrews

February 10, 2015 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2015) | Sam John Andrews, born 17/12/1988, formerly of Barrhead and more recently (2018) Craig Road, Neilston, Glasgow G78 3HU – caught on CCTV dragging and beating a terrified Staffy and tormenting him with a cigarette lighter

Sadistic dog abuser Sam Andrews formerly of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire — Sam Andrews kicked his pet dog to the ground, stamped on his back and then held a lit cigarette lighter next to the animal’s ears.

Andrews pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering after being caught on camera whipping Scooby with his lead and terrorising him with a naked flame.

Scooby was terrorised by sadistic dog abuser Sam Andrews formerly of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire — Scooby was terrorised by his twisted owner, Sam Andrews

Andrews was seen dragging Scooby backwards on his lead and then repeatedly striking the animal, causing him to cower and shake.

In video footage Andrews could be seen using the dog’s metal lead as a weapon to hit the animal.

He landed around 30 blows on the pet after dragging him along the street a short distance.

Andrews also hit the dog with his hand, forced him to the ground, with his foot planted firmly on his back.

He then straddled the animal, got a lighter out of his pockets and lit it while holding it next to Scooby’s ears.

Andrews kicked the animal to the ground and stamped on his back before bringing his attack to an end when a female friend, who is thought to have gone into a nearby shop, rejoined him.

Police were alerted and Andrews was traced and arrested.

Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA who rescued Scooby discovered the frightened Staffy was underweight. He was later rehomed.

Sentence: six months in jail; 10-year ban on keeping animals (expires February 2025).

Barrhead News

Bestiality / Zoophilia, Dogs, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Paedophiles / Sex Offenders, Serial Animal Abusers, Veterinary Malpractice, Worst of the Worst

Kesgrave, Suffolk: Oliver Lown

February 9, 2015 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2015) | former vet Oliver Fraser Lown, born c. 1985, of Main Road, Kesgrave – jailed for having sex with a dog and a horse and having “grossly offensive, disgusting or obscene” images of animals

Sexual deviant Oliver Fraser Lown from Kesgrave, Suffolk, UK

The court heard Suffolk Police were called to Lown’s home – a converted garage at his parents’ house – following an assault allegation by his now ex-girlfriend.

Officers took no further action over the claim, but they did confiscate computer equipment and found seven videos featuring bestiality.

Lown had a previous conviction for possessing similar images featuring animals for which he was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge by Northallerton magistrates in North Yorkshire in 2012.

He was struck off the UK professional register in 2014 by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) following a disciplinary hearing into his previous offences.

Sentencing Lown, Celia Dawson, JP, said pre-sentence reports showed he had a “lack of remorse” and had tried to justify his offences.

Sentence: 24 weeks in jail.

BBC News
Huffington Post

Additional Information

Lown has used the alias Ollie Fraser Henderson.

He used to be a drummer in punk rock band The 4130s but was kicked out after his conviction for animal rape.

Update February 2021

On Tuesday 9 February 2021 the Irish Times reported that Lown, now living in Letterkenny, Ireland, faces extradition back to the UK where he faces multiple charges of sexual activity with animals and of having extreme pornographic material.

The report states that 1,219 extreme pornographic images were recovered from the hard drive of Lown’s laptop after his arrest on April 4th, 2019 as well as 3,512 extreme pornographic videos.

Lown is charged with sexual offences involving animals, making indecent photographs of children and possessing extreme pornographic images. He is also accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice and possession of heroin.

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

Brixham, Devon: Lance Elgar

February 6, 2015 misanthropic 7 Comments

#MostEvil | Lance Cameron Elgar, aka Lance Giles, born 21/03/1995 of Ranscombe Road, Brixham TQ5 9UW – kicked and burned a cat to death.

Cat killer Lance Elgar who now resides in Brixham Devon

Elgar, who at the time was living on a farm run by Christian group the Jesus Army in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, kicked the animal three times with steel toe-capped boots.

While the cat lay paralysed from the vicious assault, the then 19-year-old picked her up and threw her on a fire.

The animal, which belonged to the owners of a farm where Elgar was living, died after suffering broken bones, fractures, internal bleeding and a severed spinal cord.

The court heard the cat died after enduring ‘extreme pain and suffering’.

District Judge Tim Daber told Elgar it was ‘completely incredible’ someone would take their anger out on ‘a defenceless animal’.

He said: ‘Neither arguments, drinking or scratches are any excuse whatsoever. It shows incredible cruelty.

‘It is a very close call but your age, remorse and record for making positive contributions to the community have persuaded me to just keep you out of prison on this occasion.’

Sentencing: 12-week prison sentence suspended for two years. Ordered to pay a total of £2,433. Banned from owning animals for 10 years (expires February 2025).

Daily Mail

Additional information

Following his animal cruelty conviction, Lance Elgar left the Jesus Army headquarters in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire. While the group originally stood by Elgar and allegedly paid some of his legal costs, it appears that they expelled him after several witnesses came forward to say they had seen him hurting other animals on the farm. One man said he saw Elgar using pliers to pull out and sever the tongues of live chickens.

Elgar has been something of a drifter in the years since his conviction. He has lived in Portsmouth, Rugby and Chichester and also spent some time in prison (crime unknown) but appears to have settled in Brixham in Devon.

Convicted animal abuser Lance Elgar with girlfriend Holli Peplow

He is dating single mother Holli Peplow, née Mascilo and also known as Holli Sherratt. We contacted Ms Peplow to warn her about her boyfriend’s past. This is a screenshot of our conversation.

As Ms Peplow has three young children, we expected her to be grateful for the warning. We were wrong. And yes social services will be notified.

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: February 2015