#MostEvil | Alan D Pownall, born 20/11/1957 of Reay Court, 86 Borough Road, Wallasey CH44 6NQ – kicked a puppy to death and dumped the body in a pile of rubbish in an alleyway.
Allan Pownall was imprisoned and banned from keeping animals for life after kicking a puppy to death.
Pownall initially claimed the puppy, known as Halo, had been hanged by her own collar in a freak accident. He claimed he had no recollection of kicking the puppy to death.
Pownall was due to stand trial in October 2017 before admitting causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Chris Murphy, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “When interviewed, he confirmed the dog’s name was Halo and she had hung herself on a collar while attempting to break out from a training crate.
“He said he felt guilty he hadn’t heard the dog crying and had left the body in the alleyway because of financial difficulties.
“There was no evidence of blood or saliva on the cage.
“There was scant evidence of strangulation around the neck.”
Halo’s body was found on top of a children’s paddling pool and rubbish in an alleyway
A post-mortem examination found that the animal had suffered severe damage to her liver as a result of multiple blunt forces consistent with being kicked.
Pownall, who was looking after the dog for his daughter Michelle, told the probation service he had been drinking brandy.
Magistrates said Pownall would have received the maximum sentence they could impose – six months in jail – but it was reduced to 23 weeks because of his guilty plea.
Pownall, dressed in combat trousers, bowed his head and remained impassive as he was taken away by security officers.
Sentence: 23 weeks in jail; banned from keeping animals for life
CONVICTED (2017) | Claire Shears, born 04/06/1980, of Angus Close, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE12 6QR – let her bichon frise’s fur get so matted he struggled to see or hear
Claire Shears allowed her pet dog’s fur to become so matted it was causing him to suffer.
Claire Shears’ dog, Basil, had gone ungroomed for so long he couldn’t even walk around because all the matted fur had wrapped around his feet.
Basil’s left eye – which was totally covered by matted clumps – was red and sore. The fur was matted so tight it meant the dog’s eye was touching his ear and mouth.
Basil, a bichon frise, had been ungroomed for so long he was struggling to walk as the matting had created ‘boots’ around his feet, and his left eye was red and sore where it had matted tight to his ear and mouth.
Shears admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Basil by failing to ensure he was properly groomed between March 11 and May 11, 2017.
RSPCA inspector Helen Bestwick said: ‘It took over two hours to dematt Basil.
‘He was in a terrible state. His eye was matted to his ear and nose and was pulling tight and he looked like he was wearing boots his feet were so matted.
‘Afterwards he was running around like a pup, he was obviously very happy to be free of the matting which was causing him to suffer.
‘Luckily, the skin underneath wasn’t too bad and once he had been groomed he was feeling much better.’
The RSPCA first visited Shears’ home in October 2018, but had to return almost 20 times before they finally got to see the dog. Officers removed Basil from her home in May 2010.
Tragically, the dog had to be put to sleep in July after contracting an aggressive throat tumour unrelated to the case.
‘It was really upsetting for everyone, he wasn’t eating well and was booked in for a dental.
‘When the vet went to put the tube down his throat they discovered the tumour.
‘A biopsy found it was aggressive and was going to cause him a great deal of suffering.’
Sentencing: 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days; ordered to pay £285. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years (expires November 2027).
CONVICTED (2017) | Ian Czajkowskyj (since deceased), born c. 1960, of Elgin Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 – left his dog to die an agonising death in a boiling hot car while he drank in the pub
Ian Czajkowskyj claimed in court that he suffers from memory loss
Ian Czajkowskyj admitted causing unnecessary suffering after locking his dog inside his vehicle in 35.2C heat while he drank in a nearby pub.
He had already been warned twice by the RSPCA.
But on June 19, 2017, police discovered seven-year-old Staffy Carlo dead in the back of Czajkowskyj’s white Fiat 500.
Carlo may have been left in a roasting vehicle for as long as nine hours
He had died of a massive blood clot brought on by severe heatstroke.
Mark Harper, prosecuting, said: “It is likely that Carlo was subjected to monumental suffering for a minimum of one hour but for a maximum period of nine hours.
“This was a clear case of the owner placing his own needs before those of the animal, especially because he had been warned before.”
On April 4, 2017, an RSPCA inspector found Carlo locked in Czajkowskyj’s car and left an animal welfare warning notice on his windscreen, although the vehicle was in the shade and the dog was asleep.
Then on May 26 police were called about a dog in the same car at Ashton Leisure Centre car park.
Members of the public had managed to open the door and release Carlo, who they said appeared “hot and bothered”.
Czajkowskyj had been drinking in a nearby pub and on his return was warned by police.
But around 10pm on June 19 Carlo was found dead in the car in Ashton.
Mr Harper said: “Temperatures that day were very high, up to 35.2C and with an average of 28C.
“There was a two to three-inch gap in the window.
“The dog was slumped in the back seat and there was a lot of blood.
“It appeared the dog had been dead for some time because rigor mortis had set in and there was a strong smell. Both the animal and the car were warm.
“Officers said there was saliva on the window.”
Shortly Czajkowskyj returned to the scene and stated he had been in the pub “at least a few hours”.
He later said he had parked the car around 4.30pm and gone shopping, then gone for a drink.
He believed he had left the dog in the car for only up to one-and-a-quarter hours.
In an interview with police he said he suffered from memory loss due to a heart condition and the medication he took for that condition and depression.
A vet who examined the body concluded Carlo had died of disseminated intravascular coagulation, the widespread formation of blood clots, caused by severe heatstroke.
The dog suffered breathing difficulties, suffocation and respiratory failure.
Chairman of the bench Fiona Maynard told Czajkowskyj: “You deliberately left this animal to suffer despite previous warnings. You left a dog in a vehicle in severe heat which resulted in its death.”
After the hearing, RSPCA inspector Nicola Waterworth said: “It is horrible to think what Carlo would have gone through and it is sad to think that we are still having cases where animals are being left in hot cars.
“People have got to realise that even on a sunny yet cloudy day the inside of a car can still become the temperature of an oven.
“If they are in any doubt they should keep the animal out.”
Sentencing: 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Ordered to pay a total of £415. Banned from keeping animals for life.
CONVICTED (2017) | Denise Smith, born c. 1959, of Axe Head Road, Briar Hill, Northampton NN4 8TF – used honey to treat cat’s cancer wound
Blacky’s owner tried to treat her cancerous leg wound with honey
Denise Smith was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the cat, named Blacky, after treating a large cancerous wound on her leg with manuka honey. Blacky had to have her leg amputated.
While she survived surgery and was successfully rehomed, she had to be put to sleep a few months later when the cancer returned.
The court heard the RSPCA was contacted by a concerned member of the public on 30 August 2017.
The cat had a cancerous wound and the leg was later amputated
Insp Michelle Hare said she found the cat with a heavily bandaged leg.
“When we took the bandages off I could see that Blacky had a large and cancerous wound on her leg which was so deep it had gone down to her tendons,” she said.
She said a vet recommended amputation.
“It turned out that Smith had been treating the wound with manuka honey, after reading online that it had anti-microbial properties – but it certainly isn’t something which should have been used on a wound like Blacky had,” she added.
Manuka honey is made from nectar collected by bees from the wild manuka tree, native to New Zealand.
An entry on the NHS Choices website says the effectiveness of manuka honey in combination with antibiotics has yet to be tested in clinical trials.
“People should not try using honey bought from supermarkets to treat wounds at home,” the site reads.
Sentencing: ordered to pay £615 in fines. Disqualified from keeping animals for 12 months (expired 2018).
CONVICTED (2017) | James Mark Alexander Cooper, born 02/03/1994, of Severn Avenue, Swindon SN25 3LL – killed a dog through multiple vicious attacks and injured another
James Cooper from Swindon killed one whippet and subjected another to months of abuse
James Cooper admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to whippets Millie and Tinkerbelle.
Cooper pleaded guilty to inflicting a torrent of violence on six-year-old Millie, who suffered fatal blunt force trauma. Months earlier he had repeatedly attacked three-year-old Tinkerbelle.
The court heard how Cooper and his girlfriend Katie Gardiner were looking after three-year-old Tinkerbelle for her step-mum, Carley Young, when the attacks happened.
Three-year-old Tinkerbelle suffered numerous painful injuries at the hands of sadistic James Cooper
When external injuries prompted a vet visit, Cooper had told vets that Tinkerbelle’s injuries, including multiple skin abrasions, were caused by her falling down the stairs.
Just days later, the dog was taken back to the vets with new fractures and an ulcer-type injury to her left eye.
In the weeks that followed Tinkerbelle suffered a human bite wound as well as injuries to her tail, which had to be amputated.
Serial dog abuser and killer James Cooper pictured outside court
Matthew Knight, prosecuting, told the court: “The defendant still hasn’t provided an explanation of what happened or why these offences occurred.
“In regard to Millie, the defendant said she had jumped over a six-foot fence and fell on some brambles, which is how she sustained the injury.”
Other excuses given to vets included that she had run into a patio door.
James Cooper inflicted a torrent of violent abuse on Millie, 6, who eventually died from her injuries
Mr Knight continued: “Millie suffered multiple fractured ribs and was killed by the defendant.
“However when asked he said the further injuries were caused by the fact he gave CPR.
“She suffered a number of blunt force trauma injuries and I am in no doubt that she was killed by the defendant. Her injuries were extensive, widespread and severe. In my opinion, they were sustained on more than one occasion.
“There are striking similarities in the way both Millie and Tinkerbelle were assaulted front on, sustained multiple fractured ribs and swelling to the left side of her face.”
A post-mortem examination found Millie had emphysema and bruising – some that had been inflicted just 24 hours before she died.
Surviving dog Tinkerbelle
Following Cooper’s conviction, the RSPCA dropped the charges against his girlfriend Katie Gardiner, DoB 27/07/1994, who denied the allegations.
James Cooper with girlfriend Katie Gardiner, who was originally charged with dog cruelty as well. Charges against her were dropped following Cooper’s conviction.
Richard Williams, defending, said his client had suffered with a number of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, and was bullied at school, often finding it difficult to stand up for himself.
“In relation to the offences, there is not much I can add to make them any less distasteful,” said Mr Williams.
“James Cooper has struggled in articulating and expressing exactly what happened.
“There is quite a lot that can shed some light on what has happened in James Cooper’s life. He had moved in with Katie Gardiner last year and it was his first serious relationship and the first time he moved away from home. He struggled and he accepts he lashed out at the dogs.
“He has dabbled in drink and drugs and has since abstained from those substances.”
Victim Millie was just six years old when she died from blunt force trauma, following a violent attack by James Cooper
District Judge Simon Cooper said: “Tinkerbelle made at least five visits to the vet for treatment while in your care and from that, examinations revealed that she had been severely beaten, suffering fractured ribs and a human bite wound and the effect on her was akin, in my judgement, to torture. Nonetheless, she recovered, even if she had to have her tail amputated.
“Millie was taken back on the third examination while she had been in your care and you had been under investigation. They found her covered with wounds to the mouth and multiple fractured ribs which ultimately led to her death.
“I agree with the RSPCA that it is a difficult and disturbing case. You gave a variety of explanations for these offences but, in fact, you finally accepted your responsibility.
“This case has rumbled on for nine months due to your inability to accept your responsibility.
“I have come to the decision that an immediate prison sentence would utterly destroy you. What you did was vicious and savage but little would be achieved in the long run by sending you into custody.
“It has been an agonising and hard decision to come to. The most difficult decision of today is not to send this young man into immediate prison but it is one, in my long experience, that would completely destroy his life.”
Sentencing: 12-week consecutive prison sentence for each offence to be suspended for two years. 150 hours of unpaid work. Total of £1,115 costs and charges. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2017) | farmer Frederick H James, born c. 1963, of Meaford View, Old Road, Oulton Heath, Stone ST15 8US – for failing to get treatment for a stricken cow on his dairy farm and keeping his livestock in deplorable conditions
Conditions on Frederick James’s farm
James was fined £1,553 after one of his cows was found ‘barely breathing’ and with just one eye.
Vets ordered the destruction of the ‘downed’ animal after finding it in distress at a Stone farm.
The defendant told investigators he had not called for help because he was short of cash and blamed low milk prices for part of his financial difficulties.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard an animal welfare officer and a vet visited James’s farm in Wash Dale Lane, Stone, on February 20, 2017, after being told a cow was dead in a field.
Prosecutor Khalid Mahmood said: “The animal welfare officer attended and cattle were in the yard. They were walking in slurry and were very dirty. The cattle had no dry lying area and the sheds had not been cleaned for months.
“The officer called a vet. They entered the pen and could see a downed cow. It had an eye missing and was barely breathing. The vet stated the cow was being caused unnecessary suffering.
“The farmer attended and said he could not afford to call the vet. He was embarrassed by the situation.”
James pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and three offences of failing to ensure the welfare of an animal.
Tacarat Hussain, mitigating, said: “This was an isolated incident caused by his financial and mental situation at the time.
“From February to now significant changes have been made. Mr James is now in the healthy position of receiving 30p per litre for his milk when he was receiving 14p per litre at the time and it was costing him 21p to produce.
“Mr James owed fees of £2,000 to the vet who told him he would not be coming out until the debts were settled. His new vet now works on a pay-as-you-go basis.”
The prosecution was brought by Staffordshire County Council.
Following the case, Councillor Gill Heath, cabinet member for communities, said: “This is a shocking case of animal neglect which is reflected in the sentence and sends out a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. This amounted to the prolonged neglect, injury and death of an animal.
“Whenever there is any compromise of animal health or welfare rules and evidence of neglect and ignored advice, we will not hesitate to take prompt action.”
CONVICTED (2017) | Alexander Kyle Grice, born c. 1966, and Victoria Louisa Kyle Grice, born c. 1968, of Llwyncelyn, Glanarthan, Llandysul SA44 6PL – for cruelty towards dogs, a rabbit and a guinea pig
Brother and sister Alexander and Victoria Grice were both convicted on 12 counts of animal cruelty following a two-day trial in September 2017.
The case was brought by the RSPCA and both defendants had denied all the charges.
Among the offences of which they were jointly convicted were failing to protect a basset hound named Bertie from pain, suffering or disease. Bertie was underweight, in poor condition and not living in a suitable environment.
The pair were also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a bichon frise dog named Bella, who was underweight, suffering from severe dental disease, skin disease, mammary tumours and an ear infection.
The pair were also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to treat flea infestations, skin, eye and ear infections for various dogs and to causing unnecessary suffering to a rabbit and a guinea pig.
Sentencing: Community orders – Alexander Grice failed to comply with this and in June 2018 was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail. Victoria Grice’s order was later revoked on health grounds. Total of £585 costs and charges each. Three-year ban on keeping animals (expired 2020).
CONVICTED (2017) | Mary Haughian, born c. 1983, of Hill Street, Lurgan BT66 – caught on camera kicking a young puppy in the street
Pictured is animal abuser Mary Haughian from Lurgan, Northern Ireland, and the little pup she booted twice in the street
Mary Haughian pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the 13-week-old Staffordshire bull terrier puppy when she was captured on CCTV kicking him twice as she walked along Union Street in Lurgan.
The shocking CCTV footage was shared thousands of times on Facebook
Haughian walked free from court, however, after being handed a two-year conditional discharge. She was also banned from keeping animals for five years.
District Judge Bernie Kelly warned Haughian that if she failed to pay the £664 costs of kennelling the unnamed pup she would face “up to four weeks’ imprisonment”.
Ordering her to give up a pet cat she also has, the judge added that she hoped the puppy would now be brought up “in a warm and loving home”.
“As human beings and fully fledged adults we have responsibilities in this world such as to the vulnerable, elderly and children,” Judge Kelly told Haughian. “We also have a duty to animals… that we choose to have about us – there’s a responsibility that goes with animal ownership.”
The upsetting footage showed Haughian walking the pup, which she then drags in front of her and boots twice.
Within hours of the video being posted on Facebook hundreds of people had expressed their revulsion and more than 1,000 people had shared the footage.
Police later posted pictures of the rescued pup with the message: “You may recognise this little guy from a video that’s done the rounds on social media this evening.
“Thanks to those who reported it, here he is pictured in the safe arms of ‘A’, who I’m told he’s taken a bit of a shine to.
“Little Pupper is now safe with a recognised breeder. An investigation is now underway and his owner will be answering some questions about animal cruelty offences.”
Sentencing: conditional discharge; costs; five-year ban on keeping animals (expired November 2022).
CONVICTED (2017) | security company owner Jon Douglas Humphries-Cuff, born 30/03/1980, of Hillsborough House, Fromebridge, Whitminster, Gloucester GL2 7PF – neglected a guard dog so badly his tail had rotted
Jon Humphries-Cuff, then a director of Cuff Security Services Ltd, which has since been dissolved, was the owner of a dog found roaming the streets with open sores and a rotten tail. He was found guilty of neglect, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity began an investigation after the Presa Canario, known as Goffio, was discovered wandering the streets by a council dog warden.
Inspector Philip Mann, who investigated, said: “Goffio is such a lovely friendly dog – he’s a real gentle giant. It’s heartbreaking to think he was left to suffer without the veterinary care he desperately needed. The sores had been there for months and months and his tail was in such a terrible state it had completely rotted.
“Goffio was a security dog but sadly he wasn’t given security from pain and suffering he deserved in his own life.
“He was also underweight when he was rescued but thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team at Stubbington Ark RSPCA Animal Shelter, and particularly Hannah Nandhra, he has now recovered and is doing great.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to Stroud District Council’s animal welfare officers and Teckels Animal Sanctuary who helped him when he was found straying and raised concerns for his welfare.”
Humphries-Cuff denied knowing about the condition of his dog’s tail, claiming he had not seen his dogs in daylight for several days. He also told the court he had been treating the sores himself with antiseptic spray.
Following a two-day trial, he was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide suitable veterinary care for the necrotic and infected tail, contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and failing to provide veterinary care for the open sores contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
He was also found guilty of failing to meet Goffio’s needs by not ensuring he maintained a suitable body weight, contrary to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The RSPCA hoped to rehome Goffio if no appeal was lodged within 21 days.
Sentencing: ordered to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 in court costs. No ban on keeping animals was imposed by the court.
CONVICTED (2017) | puppy farm dealer Martin O’Donnell, born 23/04/1982, previously of Mottingham Road, Edmonton, Enfield, London – for animal welfare offences and fraud
Martin O’Donnell claimed that the puppies he sold were raised in a loving home
O’Donnell, a traveller, pleaded guilty to five offences of fraud by false representation and one offence of failing to meet the needs of dogs.
The RSPCA had been gathering intelligence and evidence on puppy dealing in the London area for more than a year, sparking a number of warrants at addresses including this one.
Inspector Kirsty Withnall led the investigation. She said: “We were aware that there was a serious problem with the sale of poorly puppies in the capital and had been following leads for a number of months.
“Our investigations led us to puppy buyers who had purchased dogs from the address in Mottingham Road. We spoke with five people who had all bought Labrador pups from the defendant in November and December 2016 – all of which had fallen ill and one sadly died of parvovirus, a highly contagious virus. They had paid between £550 and £580 for each dog.
“These dogs were being imported – we suspect illegally from southern Ireland – and being advertised online as home-bred, socialised and healthy dogs. The reality was far from this. They were weak, poorly and terrified.”
RSPCA officers joined a team from the Metropolitan Police who executed a warrant at the address on 23 February, 2017, and found a female Labrador tethered in the garden and three puppies inside a plastic shed.
Lola was found tethered in a garden
The chocolate-coloured bitch, called Lola, and the three puppies – later named Blossom, Hendrix and Marley – were all seized by police and placed in RSPCA care. They were cared for by staff at Southridge Animal Centre, in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, before being fostered by volunteers.
The bitch was not related to the pups, all three of which were microchipped with overseas chips and all of which were sick, suffering from isospora or coccidia and giarda – both types of parasites. Three vaccination cards were also found at the house, one of which matched one of the puppies – but they were all registered to a different name and address.
Inspector Withnall added: “Lola was tethered on a chain in the garden. In a padlocked plastic shed nearby were the pups. They were all quiet, withdrawn and, after being check over by a vet, it was clear they were very sick.
“We found text message conversations on phones at the property between the defendant and prospective buyers making arrangements as well as instructions on uploading adverts to websites.
“Prospective buyers were led to believe that the puppy they wished to purchase had been born and raised in a loving family home, the mother dog being a family pet.
“When visiting, buyers were usually met by a man and there were often children present, giving the impression of the ‘family home’ that the puppies were claimed to have been part of.
“But vaccination cards were registered to false names and under different addresses, the puppies had overseas microchips and the ‘mum’ wasn’t related to them at all. These are all tactics used by dealers to paint a certain picture and trick the prospective buyer.”
The court heard that O’Donnell had made at least £7,000 from the sale of puppies, although RSPCA inspectors suspect it was actually much more. The court heard he was organised with different phone numbers and email addresses in order to “deceive the public”.
Lola and the three puppies were cared for by staff at RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre, in Hertfordshire, until they were healthy enough to go into foster care. When the dogs were signed over a few months later, the dogs were all rehomed by their fosterers.
Sentencing: jailed for 32 months. Banned from having dogs for life.
