CONVICTED (2016) | Christopher Frost, born 9 October 1967 (deceased March 2021), and Gillian Webster, born 22 April 1958, formerly of Platt Street, Blackpool, and now Grimsby – failed to seek treatment for a young Jack Russell’s allergic skin condition, leaving her almost completely bald; left her behind when they moved house.
The couple failed to attend the court hearing and were found guilty in their absence of failing to stop the dog Libby’s pain and suffering. The court heard how Libby (pictured some months ago) had an allergy to fleas which could have been easily treated. Instead she ended up pulling out her own hair, ending up 80% bald.
RSPCA inspector Sarah Hayland attended the property following an anonymous tip-off but could not gain entry. She heard the dog yelping and could see Libby was suffering hair loss from her neck downwards.
A neighbour later let her in to the house and she took the dog to a local vet. Information from Libby’s microchip allowed the RSPCA to trace the owners who had gone to Grimsby. They were interviewed and Webster denied mistreating Libby and said she and Frost had made arrangements for neighbours to look after the animal whilst they were away.
Frost said that Libby had suffered from fleas and maintained the couple had got some treatment for her. The vet said that Libby’s hair loss was the result of a “long standing” flea allergy.
Following proper treatment, Libby recovered within a week.
CONVICTED (2016) | Jacqueline Bursnoll, born c. 1964, of Wigan Road, Atherton, Manchester M46 0LW – left two Rottweilers to die painful deaths in squalid conditions.
Dog killer Jacky Bursnoll
RSPCA inspectors, called in by neighbours because of the appalling smell, found the bodies of Rottweilers Jacob and Mia side by side.
A post-mortem revealed both animals had died in tremendous pain having suffered an extended period of neglect by their owner Jacqueline Bursnoll.
The then 52-year-old was found in a drunken stupor in an upstairs bedroom of the Wigan Road property.
Tests found Jacob had died five weeks earlier after Bursnoll failed to find veterinary treatment for an intestinal blockage. Mia died after being starved and then fed a large amount of dried food, which fatally swelled her stomach.
Bursnoll admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering and two charges of failing in the duty of a person responsible for the welfare of animals.
Sentence: 10-week prison sentenced suspended for 12 months; total of £835 fines and charges. Banned from keeping pets for life.
CONVICTED (2016) | Kieren Luke Milledge, born 17/08/1994, previously from Chelmsford but as of January 2018 living in Swanage Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5HY – subjected an elderly Staffy to a prolonged violent attack on a train, causing the dog to lose control of his bowels
Kieren Milledge is banned from keeping animals indefinitely after attacking an elderly dog on a train
The dog, known as Ronnie, was attacked on a train between Braintree and Witham on October 10, 2016, and staff were forced to cancel the service after they discovered the poor dog’s excrement on the seats and walls of a train carriage.
The dog died three days later after appearing to choke and was buried by members of the family who were unaware of the attack.
Milledge’s attack on helpless Ronnie was captured on CCTV
The dog’s body was recovered but no post-mortem was carried out.
CCTV cameras captured the Staffordshire bull terrier being abused by Milledge at about 10.30pm.
The footage showed Milledge viciously attacking the dog by hanging him by his lead and then swinging him against the train wall.
The dog was then placed on a seat while Milledge pushed his foot against the dog’s face.
Lesley Chips, prosecuting, said: “The CCTV shows he was beating the dog with his hands, knees and feet.
“He was completely lifting the dog off the floor by his neck and he was losing consciousness as he was flung around the room.
“He was pushing his foot against the dog’s head and pulling the lead, which appears to be a choke chain.
“This was a continued and brutal attack.
“He smashed the dog into the side of the wall of the carriage. Other members of the public were on-board, one said they could hear him calling the dog by the c-word.
“This man should not be allowed to have an animal for an indefinite period.”
Kieren Milledge posted a photograph of himself with Ronnie on Facebook
In a statement released after the sentence, PETA UK director Elisa Allen said: “Anyone who is capable of this level of violence is clearly missing an empathy chip and poses a serious risk both to humans and animals.
“Although Essex will be a safer place while Mr Milledge is behind bars, it’s imperative that, in addition to being imprisoned and kept away from animals, he be required to undergo mandatory counselling.
“His psychological issues must be addressed.”
Sentence: jailed for 21 weeks for the animal cruelty offence, eight weeks for breaching a suspended sentence order and six months for possession of a bladed weapon; £150 victim surcharge; indefinite ban on owning animals.
CONVICTED (2016) | Sammy Jo Wright, born 1988, formerly of Portland Road, Nottingham, and more recently Valley Road, Carlton, Nottingham NG4 1NA – abandoned two dogs, a cat and a snake for up to two weeks
On being notified by a neighbour of Sammy Jo Wright’s that she had left her four pets unattended for several days, Nottingham-based animal charity RACR mounted an urgent rescue mission to save them.
The team sought police assistance to gain legal access and discovered the two desperately underweight and anxious dogs – a white husky and black German Shepherd cross – locked inside a filthy back room. The distressed dogs were starving and dehydrated, their fur urine-stained and caked in faeces. A half-full bag of dog food was found on the other side of the door.
There was no sign of the cat and it appeared that she had escaped through an open top window. A ball python snake was discovered inside an unheated terrarium, freezing cold and barely alive. Despite the team’s best efforts at reviving him, the snake could not be saved.
On examination by a vet both dogs were found to be extremely emaciated with a body condition score of below 1 – they were extremely lucky to be alive.
Thanks to the dedication of RACR and their team of fosterers the dogs, who were renamed Katona and Dobby, were given all of the care and attention they needed to recover from their terrible ordeal, regain their trust of humans and thrive. Both went on to be permanently adopted.
The dogs’ irresponsible owner, Sammy Jo Wright, eventually handed herself in to the police, blaming her abandonment of the pets on stress and debt.
The rescue worked alongside the police and RSPCA to build a case against Wright and on 14 November 2016 she received a suspended prison sentence and an indefinite ban on keeping animals. She was not asked to repay any of RACR’s costs even though as a tiny struggling rescue they could ill afford them.
Sentence: 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 24 months. Indefinite ban on keeping animals but may appeal after 10 years.
CONVICTED (2016) | Leon Henry Smith, born c. 1949, of 1 Castleford Houses, Castle Road, Okehampton, EX20 1HZ – multiple convictions for abuse of dogs and farm animals spanning decades.
Smith left 13 collies in squalid conditions to fight over rotting pig carcasses for food
In December 2015 officials visited land farmed by Smith following complaints from members of the public that pigs and poultry were being kept in appalling conditions, covered in mud and with inadequate shelter.
On visiting one field , officers discovered it was mired in deep mud and almost impossible to access.
The pig enclosure itself was surrounded by rubbish, planks of wood and other hazardous materials.
Five pigs also discovered suffering in the back of a small broken down van in the enclosure, with no water, and no dry lying area and virtually no ventilation.
At another location near Boasley, Okehampton, pigs were also discovered shut in the back of a van in complete darkness and again without water and no grassed area.
Further visits were carried out in March 2016 to the same locations after more concerns had been expressed about the way in Smith was keeping his poultry.
At Meldon officers again found the conditions for the livestock to be unacceptable – pigs were again being kept in an enclosure which was full of thick mud and no grass and in a trailer without water.
At Boasley, they also found sheep and poultry being kept in part of a field littered with rubbish including broken glass, wire mesh, wood with protruding nails and other scrap which risked causing injury or unnecessary suffering to the animals.
In 2012 Smith was convicted for other livestock offences as well as cruelty to 13 dogs.
The dogs, of varying ages and sizes, were found in an enclosure in “appalling” muddy conditions in February 2011.
They had no access to adequate dry and clean areas, and had poor shelter from the weather.
More pig carcasses were found nearby, as were the remains of a dead sheep. Various animal bones were also discovered scattered across a field.
The most shocking incident was when police officers discovered one of his dogs confined overnight in a parked van with a maggot ridden sheep carcass, alongside two others in unsuitable cages without food or water.
As at 2012 Smith had already been banned from keeping cattle and sheep twice after previous animal welfare offences in 1998, 1999 and 2008.
On 12 November 2012 he was banned from keeping dogs for ten years and fined a total of £1300.
In February 2014 Smith was fined after breaching the order banning him from keeping dogs.
Exeter Magistrates Court heard that Leon Smith kept a collie dog in a livestock trailer on his land at Meldon, near Okehampton for at least six days.
Following a tip-off trading standards officers visited Smith’s farm and found the dog in the trailer, which was littered with dog faeces. The animal’s water was frozen solid and no food was available.
Sentencing in relation to his 2016 conviction for ill-treatment of pigs, sheep and poultry. Banned from keeping all animals for 20 years
CONVICTED (2016) | puppy trafficker Robert Brownlie, born 27/01/1977, of Woodside Crescent, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 0NA
Brownlie – a known associate of notorious Irish puppy farmer Raymond Cullivan – pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide protection from disease, namely canine parvo virus, to two cockapoo puppies, as well as failing to provide a cockapoo puppy with veterinary treatment contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Brownlie also pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of a dog and seven puppies in his care.
Furthermore Brownlie pleaded guilty to offering for sale animals as pets, namely cockapoo pups, without the relevant license, contrary to the Pet Animals Act 1951.
An undercover inspector said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the case especially with regards to lifetime disqualification order.
“This sentence sends out a strong message to anyone who is involved in the puppy trade that the courts are taking these activities seriously.
“It is rare that lifelong disqualifications are handed out. This prosecution was brought about as part of Operation Delphin an on-going Operation to combat the illegal puppy trade.
“The Special Investigations Unit of the SSPCA is working alongside partner organizations to tackle this multi-million pound industry including ISPCA, USPCA, DSPCA, RSPCA, HMRC Trading Standards, Stenaline, Police Scotland Port unit and APHA.”
“The pups involved in this case, including Pomeranians and cockapoos, would have undoubtedly have been bred in a puppy farm in Southern Ireland, as a result they will have been reared in very poor conditions will little or no socialisation and due to the stress of their upbringing and the transportation and changes in environment, their immune system is very low.
“Once these pups reach their new owner via the dealers they often develop diseases such as Parvo Virus and giardia and with specific regard to this case this can result in extremely high vet bills.
“Often these pups will die from these diseases. This is extremely distressing for the new owners.”
“Trafficked pups often look fine when they are purchased, but problems will begin to show at a later stage by which time money has exchanged hands and the selling agent is long gone.
“If you have purchased a puppy that shows any signs of illness or distress take it to the vet immediately.
“We are pleased that Brownlie has been dealt with by the court and that this case of puppy trafficking and neglect has been rightly recognised with a lifetime ban.”
Sentence: 240 hours’ unpaid work; £2,880 in fines; banned for life from keeping animals
In June 2017 Scottish newspaper the Sunday Mail reported that Brownlie was targeted along with others including Lauren Cullivan and Christopher Gorman by HMRC in an operation to crack down on the flow of designer puppies from Ireland to UK ports. It was revealed Brownlie owed £500,000.
Update March 2020
On 2 March 2020, the Daily Record reported that Brownlie had been caught on camera boasting about the millions of pounds he made from selling farmed puppies.
Brownlie told protesters from Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE) outside Shawfield greyhound racing track he made a £20million fortune selling pomeranian and cockapoo puppies – all without a licence.
A member of SAGE said: “Brownlie was walking into the stadium with a group of pals when he spotted us and came over.
“He spelled out his name and then said he’d made millions from puppy farming while us ‘saddos’ were standing out there. When I got home, I looked his name up on the internet and was disgusted by what I read.”
The SAGE member added: “We have cameras on our banners because of the abuse we get. Brownlie was boasting and goading us. It’s rare that lifelong bans on keeping dogs are handed out but I’m not surprised he got one.”
CONVICTED (2016) | Kaye Toogood, born 20 September 1960, of Kyabram, Station Road, Brading, Sandown, Isle of Wight PO3 60D and estranged husband Tony Toogood. born c. 1949, (current address unknown) – for the severe neglect of their two dogs.
The Toogoods were banned from keeping dogs for life after their two neglected terriers, Daisy and Minnie, developed painful skin sores and infections from hair so heavily matted they could not see through it.
Tony Toogood admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering Kaye Toogood admitted one count, at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court.
Daisy had undergone such long-term neglect that RSPCA inspectors could not make out her facial features.
Older dog, Daisy, was found as a stray in June 2016, which prompted a visit to the couple’s home at Station Road, Brading, where Minnie was discovered in a similarly neglected state.
Minnie was also severely neglected and in pain with multiple untreated health conditions.
RSPCA inspector Mark Buggie said: “They were covered in matted fur and no oxygen could get to the skin, which meant they developed a skin disease, sores and eye infections. You couldn’t make out their facial features through the fur. They would have been in pain. It was long-term neglect.”
The dogs were taken to a vet and following a lengthy treatment, which included eye surgery for Minnie, recovered.
Tony Toogood – a councillor with Brading Town Council, though he later quit – told the local paper: “I suppose I did neglect them in the last couple of months but I’ve had trouble at home.”
Sentence: him – three months in prison suspended for 12 months; 180 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity; her – three month community order, with curfew; both – total of £500 fines and costs. Both were banned from keeping dogs for life although she can appeal after two years and he can after five.
CONVICTED (2016) | puppy farmers John Wilcock, born 9 July 1980, and Bernadette Connor Nunney born 4 November 1991, of Tyersal Hall Farm, Tyersal Lane, Tyersal, Bradford BD4 0RE – kept malnourished and unwell dogs in squalor and sold them to unsuspecting customers as “home-bred”.
John Wilcock and Bernadette Nunney pictured outside court during their trial for animal cruelty offences.
When RSPCA officers and police visited Tyersal Hall Farm in Bradford they came across a wheelbarrow of dead collie puppies. As they filmed the heartbreaking scene for evidence they realised that one of the pups – a black and white female, buried beneath the dead bodies of her littermates – was still alive. She was rushed to the vets but later died. Post mortems revealed that she and her siblings had died from parvovirus.
Harrowing footage taken at the farm showed a puppy taking her last breaths in a wheelbarrow piled with her dead littermates.
The puppy farm operators Nunney and Wilcock were accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the seven puppies, as well as a number of other offences. They also faced three further allegations of causing unnecessary suffering to a total of 10 dogs, and two offences of failing to meet the needs of 30 dogs.
Tyersal House Farm features in this UNILAD documentary on puppy farming in the UK.
Charges against a third defendant, Julie Nunney, who lived at the farm, were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Julie Nunney
RSPCA inspector Emma Ellis, who investigated, said: “What I saw that day will stay with me forever. “The sight of the live puppy buried within the pile of dead puppies was heartbreaking. There was nothing we could do to save her. The way those puppies were left to die highlights how these people simply see them as commodities which I find totally unacceptable.
“Dozens of dogs were being kept at the address in stables and kennel blocks. Many had no food, no water, no bedding, and all of them were living in their own filth.”
Inspectors found 43 dogs – including collies, spaniels, bichon frises, Labradors, beagles, Chihuahuas, and some terrier-cross types – most of which were seized by the police and placed into the RSPCA’s care.
RSPCA special operations unit chief inspector (CI) Ian Briggs, said: “There is a growing demand for certain breeds of dogs – such as chihuahuas, spaniels and bichon frises – and genuine, regulated breeders simply cannot meet demand.
“Unregulated puppy breeders and dealers are plugging this gap in the market by producing dogs on a commercial scale and putting money and profits ahead of the health, welfare and happiness of the dogs. “
The case came to court following an investigation by the RSPCA as well as a sting by journalists from BBC’s Watchdog.
During their investigation, reporters bought a dog from the Bradford farm who was then rehomed with animal behaviourist Carrie Evans.
“Gizmo was exceptionally frightened and very poorly,” Carrie said. “He was grossly underweight, had worms, had an intestinal infection, and infected ears.
“Due to bad breeding, Gizmo has horrendous deformities in his legs and feet, and his feet can sometimes rotate backwards. He also has an undershot jaw.”
Wilcock and Bernadette Nunney were exposed as puppy farmers by BBC Watchdog.
CI Briggs added: “When our investigations bring us to places such as this farm, we often find dogs living in squalid, sub-standard conditions.
“Unsuspecting members of the public end up parting with hundreds and hundreds of pounds for puppies who have behavioural issues because they’ve not been properly socialised, or health problems, due to poor conditions and no veterinary treatment. In some of the worst cases, their beloved family pet dies in their arms just days after bringing them home.”
Sentencing: Both were sentenced to 20 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months and were each banned from keeping dogs for life.
Nunney was handed a 12 week curfew order, ordered to complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity and ordered to pay £500 in costs.
Wilcock was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity. He was also ordered to pay £100 in costs.
CONVICTED (2016) | Fiona Jane Hume, born 10/06/1988, of Inworth Road, Feering, Braintree CO5 9SE – left five horses to starve at DIY livery yard
Mother-of-one Fiona Hume was given a five-year ban from keeping horses after some were found starved at makeshift stables
Hume failed to feed her horses properly, leaving them so weak, skinny and starving that one was barely able to stand.
RSPCA officers who brought the prosecution against Hume have expressed shock at the way the five animals had been left to starve at a DIY livery yard in Inworth.
One of the starving horses found at Hume’s livery yard
Ten-year-old grey Shetland Misty, 18-year-old bay Shetland Chocolate, six-year-old liver chestnut thoroughbred Zebedee, 20-year-old bay thoroughbred Keira and 22-year-old palomino Arab Charlie were all signed over to the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Caroline Richardson said: “We were called to the yard in April this year on an entirely separate matter when we came across these horses and ponies.
“Three were given body condition scores of zero out of five, while two were rated as 0.5 out of five.
“They were so skinny. One of the ponies could barely stand, she was absolutely skeletal.
“I couldn’t speak when I saw them because it was so bad, I was totally shocked.”
Inspector Richardson added: “As well as their awful condition, four of the horses had worms and two had skin problems caused by untreated lice.
“To let these horses get into such a shocking state is inexcusable and I hope that they will now go on to live out their days in wonderful, loving homes – with lots of grass to eat and hay to munch.”
Sentence: eight-week jail term, suspended for one year; 80 hours of unpaid work; total of £380 costs and charges. Banned from keeping horses and ponies for five years (expired November 2021)
CONVICTED (2016) | Steven Laws, born 23 November 1982 and Elaine Churcher, born 20 April 1983, of Waltham Road, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 1PW – starved and neglected a young Dogue de Bordeaux
Steven Laws and Elaine Churcher, who are parents, failed to exercise their two-year-old dog, known as Ruby, or feed her properly. Police officers attending the couple’s home on an unrelated matter seized the very underweight dog and took her to a vet for urgent treatment.
Dogue de Bordeaux Ruby was extremely thin and had been badly effectively ignored by her cruel owners
Laws and Churcher admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to adequately feed her and failing to allow her to ‘exhibit normal behaviour patterns by lack of sufficient exercise’.
The offences took place between Sunday, 3 April and Sunday, 29 May 2016.
Given a proper diet, Ruby quickly put on a significant amount of weight and was made available for rehoming.
Sentencing Laws – total fines and charges of £970; 100 hours of unpaid community work. Disqualified from keeping any animal indefinitely. Churcher – total fines and charges of £370, one year’s community service. Disqualified from keeping an animal for 12 months (expired 2017).
Source: Sutton Voice (article removed)
We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK
