CONVICTED (2018) | Kiki Stamatopoulou-Angelitos, born 22/02/1970, most recently of Gomer Gardens, Townhill, Swansea SA1 6QF but may now be living in Greece – on the run after dead and starving pets found in her filthy home
Kiki Angelitos may have returned to her native country of Greece. As at January 2019 she is believed to still be on the run.
Angelitos was convicted in her absence after magistrates found three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and three charges of failing to meet the welfare needs of an animal proven. She was due to be sentenced at the end of May 2018 but failed to attend and magistrates issued a warrant for her arrest.
But she has still not been located and a spokeswoman for South Wales Police said arrest enquiries were continuing.
Filth and squalor at Angelitos’ property in Gomer Gardens, Swansea. A Malamute was found at the property in very poor condition.
During the hearing, Swansea Magistrates’ Court heard a dead dog was found in the garden of Angelitos’ home in Gomer Gardens, in Townhill, and had been decomposing for two weeks.
Another of the many dogs found at Angelitos’ filthy home.
A “visibly bony” Malamute dog and several small animals in a bad state, together with six dogs which were kept in one room, were also found in the house.
Sarah Thyer, prosecuting on behalf of Swansea Council , told the court at the time that this was a “distressing case”.
Officers first visited the property on October 6, 2017, after concerns about animal welfare and of the state of the house had been raised. She added: “There was an extremely strong smell of rubbish.
“Rubbish bags were covering the floor to such a large quantity that officers had to walk on this [the rubbish].”
She said there were open bags of dog food as well and that, in the kitchen, the tap was running at full blast.
The “filth” from the floor was washed in with the overflowing water, she continued, and the dogs were drinking from this dirty water. In the first visit, the officer found a room had been barricaded with a large animal crate inside. They weren’t able to see inside clearly as it was dark, she continued, but were able to identify several animal cages and a dog.
A few days later, officers returned to the property and, in the overgrown garden, they found a dog crate in a hole. Inside the crate there was a dog carcass which showed signs of two weeks of decomposition.
She continued: “In one of the bedrooms there was a Malamute which was in a very bad condition.
“The pest warden brought the dog downstairs and it was visibly bony.
“In the same room there were two rabbits which had no access to water. Both rabbits had extremely long claws.
“They were given water and they drank large amounts of it.” The court heard that, in another bedroom, there were six dogs, a gerbil and a hamster, together with some empty cages.
Ms Thyer said Angelitos agreed to surrender a German Shepherd dog in January 2018.
The court heard she had owned the Malamute dog for a year and that she had had the small animals for 18 months.
CONVICTED (2018) | Beata Teresa Rutkowska, born c. 1967, of Alexander Terrace, Tillydrone, Aberdeen AB24 2RF – failed to treat an ulcerated wound on her elderly dog’s paw.
Beata Rutkowska, who is originally from Gdansk, Poland, pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment for 12-year-old Oscar, whose ailments included a chronic skin lesion on his paw that was ulcerated and ruptured.
The offence, which took place between February 1 and May 26 2017, came to light following an investigation by the Scottish SPCA.
Oscar was put to sleep after being left to suffer by his owner Beata Rutkowska
Rutkowska’s neglect caused Oscar to be unable to stand on the paw, and the Scottish SPCA said the “omission of pain relief” caused “unnecessary suffering, pain and discomfort”.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Alison Simpson said: “When I initially visited the property and saw Oscar, it was clear that he was struggling and in pain.
“The wound was oozing constantly and there was a putrid smell coming from his paw.
“Oscar had clearly not been able to put weight on his paw for quite some time as his claws were overgrown and considerably longer than those on his other paw.
“He also kept licking the wound which no doubt aggravated it further.
“Whilst investigating it became apparent that Oscar had not seen a vet for at least four years.
“Unfortunately, due to the extent of his condition and the risks associated with amputation in dogs as old as Oscar, the owner chose to euthanise following veterinary advice.
“Whilst I’m happy that Rutkowska has been dealt with by the courts and handed a significant ban, it is clear that Oscar’s suffering could have been entirely prevented.”
Sentencing | £700 fine. A 10-year ban on owning all animals (expires May 2028).
CONVICTED (2018) | puppy dealer Patrick Ward, born 12/07/1977 of Windermere Road, Leigh, Wigan WN7 – for a catalogue of cruelty to dogs.
One of the dogs found by the RSPCA during their their investigation into the cruel and dishonest activities of puppy dealer Patrick Ward of Leigh, Greater Manchester
Gypsy traveller Patrick Ward and co-defendants Martin Ward and Julie Michelle Ward were all found guilty in their absence in August 2016 of a string of animal welfare offences relating to the sale of puppies in the Greater Manchester area.
The trio fled justice, however, and two of them still remain at large.
In May 2018 Patrick Ward was finally arrested and sent to prison. At the time of writing, the other two had yet to be apprehended.
Another puppy abused and exploited by unscrupulous puppy dealer Patrick Ward
RSPCA Inspector Pippa Boyd, who led the investigation into the puppy sellers, said: “We launched an investigation into Mr Ward, his brother and his sister-in-law after receiving a number of complaints from members of the public who had purchased puppies that had soon fallen ill after arriving home.
“We believe the trio were importing puppies and then selling them on from two addresses in Leigh.
“When we joined police to execute two warrants at the properties in February 2016 we found a number of dogs and other evidence.
“At one address – in Windermere Road – we found a number of phones labelled with different dog breeds. At the other – in Douglas Road – we found three dogs, one with an untreated broken pelvis, and the body of a dead Jack Russell terrier left in a kennel.”
Sentencing: 22 weeks in prison; £150 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years (expires May 2028).
CONVICTED (2018) | Robert David Dewar, born 23/04/1982, formerly of Dorchester Road, Weymouth – caused unnecessary suffering to 11 reptiles, with six found dead at his home.
Dewar pleaded guilty to causing suffering to a protected animal at Weymouth Magistrates Court.
He was charged for causing unnecessary suffering to two bearded dragons, a leopard gecko and two crested geckos.
Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Matthew Knight explained the charge related to a period between September 9 2017 and October 10 2017 whilst Dewar was living on Dorchester Road in Weymouth.
Mr Knight told the court that in October 2017 a bailiff was warranted to enter Dewar’s flat and discovered 11 reptiles – with a python, two corn snakes, a bearded dragon and two leopard geckos found dead.
The RSPCA were unable to pursue charges for the six dead animals as it was not possible to conclusively say how they died, although a vet suspected they had starved to death.
Of the two bearded dragons that were rescued, one had to be put to sleep because of the severity of its condition. The other bearded dragon which was described by Mr Knight in court as being dehydrated and “responsive, but dull” has since recovered and been re-homed.
Addressing the court, Mr Knight said: “There were six dead reptiles in the flat and five alive but in a poor condition.
“The reptiles require a vivarium with UV lighting. They were not given this basic care.”
He added that a number of the animals had no water provided.
Mr Knight said: “It is believed that these animals were left suffering for at least a week but it could have been over a number of months.
“Of the animals that survived, they required significant intervention to help them live.
“He [Dewar] knew how to care for these animals, but simply chose not to.”
Representing himself, Dewar said: “I am sorry. I was having a hard time and everything got on top of me. I was trying to look after myself and not my animals.”
Speaking to the court Dewar’s probation officer added: “He [Dewar] was able to understand how the animals would have felt and has shown remorse for his actions.”
Sentencing Dewar, chairman of the bench Debbie Boitoult said: “We have heard details and seen the suffering these animals underwent. You were aware that these animals needed a certain amount of care that you failed to give.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work. Total of £385 costs and charges. Banned from owning or keeping any animals for 10 years (expires May 2028).
CONVICTED (2018) | Robert Gwynn, born 04/11/1957, formerly of Merchant Street, Pontlottyn, Bargoed, Caerphilly CF81 – anally raped his two Bedlington terriers
Bedlington terriers Taff and Ben were sexually abused by deviant Robert Gwynn of Pontlottyn, Caerphilly, South Wales
The dogs, named Taff and Ben, were removed from Gwynn’s care and swabs were taken. Shockingly, the swabs were found to contain traces of human DNA and dog DNA was also found to be evident on Gwynn’s penis.
A vet examined the trauma caused to the dogs and both of them received bruising to the anus.
The RSPCA said it can be ‘exceptionally difficult’ to gather evidence in cases like this but Gwynn pleaded guilty to two offences under the Sexual Offences Act and the Animal Welfare Act.
After the sentencing, Izzi Hignell, an RSPCA inspector, said: “This was a disgusting and horrific case to investigate, with this man admitting to have forcibly had anal intercourse with two Bedlington Terriers.
“These poor dogs have been subject to such a disturbing act, which would undoubtedly have proven a truly horrendous ordeal for both animals involved.
“Gaining evidence in cases of this nature can be exceptionally difficult. This man was seen penetrating one of the dogs in the anus.
“DNA results were integral to this prosecution. Swabs taken from the dog’s anuses were both found to contain human DNA, while the man had dog DNA on his penis. ”This was a truly shocking and gruesome discovery proving the sexual offence this landmark case relates to.
“This was a clear, deliberate case of sexual abuse. Fortunately, the dogs have recovered from this shameful treatment and remain in RSPCA care.
“People across Wales will be horrified that any individual would think it acceptable to commit a sexual act of any nature on their dogs. I am sickened that activity of this nature has taken place in Caerphilly.”
Sentencing: three-month suspended prison sentence; costs and charges totalling £615. Banned from keeping any animal for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2018) | Darryl Stock, born 23/10/1990, of Walford Heath, Shrewsbury, SY4 – starved 11 dogs in his care
Darryl Stock pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to eleven Newfoundland dogs between 13 September 2017 and 11 October 2017 at Woodside Farm, Shrawardine, Shrewsbury.
RSPCA Inspector Nayman Dunderdale said: “This was a shocking case. What I discovered when I visited the address following a call from a concerned member of the public was very upsetting.
“There were eleven Newfoundland dogs who were so thin their ribs were showing. When I found them they were being held in three pens that had been constructed within in a stable. They had no food or water and only minimal bedding. I noticed that there was only a very minimal quantity of faeces within the pens, suggesting that the dogs had not been fed for some time.
“In addition, when I investigated more closely, I could see that the pens were screwed shut suggesting the doors were not opened very often in order to regularly feed and water the animals.
“To test whether anyone unscrewed and opened the doors to feed the dogs overnight, I balanced a calling card on one of the pen doors in clear sight. The next morning, I returned to the address. The stable doors were screwed shut and the card was where I had left it.
” At that point, I asked local vet David Martin to join me at the site to look at the dogs. Having seen the condition of them, the vet advised me that the dogs were likely to suffer if their circumstances did not change.
“When I called the West Mercia police to the address, they approved the removal of the dogs from the property so the they could be cared for by the RSPCA.”
The eleven animals were then taken to Brownlow Vet Centre where David Martin examined and collected blood samples from each of them. He described them all as ‘emaciated’.
In addition, he found that the dogs’ gastro-intestinal tracts were completely empty and most were suffering from conjunctivitis.
After being treated, the dogs went to live temporarily with foster carers.
In early November, after the rescued dogs had spent around three weeks in foster care, the vet re-weighed them. All eleven had gained weight rapidly, which he said supported the view that the dogs had considerably restricted access to both food and water for a significant period of time while being kept by Stock.
Since their rescue, all eleven dogs have now reached healthy weights. They have now been adopted by dog-lovers and are living happy lives in their forever homes.
Inspector Dunderdale concluded: “We are pleased that justice has been done. The condition of the dogs was terrible. Some of them weighed around half of what a normal, healthy Newfoundland should weigh”.
Sentencing: four-month suspended prison sentence; total of £615 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires May 2023).
CONVICTED (2018) | Irish travellers Simon O’Donnell, Margaret McDonagh, Edward Stokes, Thomas Stokes, Thomas O’Donnell and Mary McDonagh – all of Hayes, and Daniel Doherty, a practising vet from Iver Heath, Bucks – made millions of pounds from selling sick and dying puppies.
Crooked vet Daniel Doherty pocketed at least £75,000 after providing a puppy farm conspiracy gang with vaccination and health cards
Six members of an Irish traveller puppy farming gang were convicted of fraud and animal welfare offences following a three-year RSPCA investigation into puppy dealing in London and Berkshire. A vet who conspired with the gang by providing certificates which suggested the puppies were healthy and bred locally, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Nearly 5,000 puppies were either imported from a dealer in Ireland or bred in disgusting conditions
The RSPCA launched ‘Operation Adder’ after receiving a multitude of complaints from members of the public who had bought puppies which had fallen ill and in some cases tragically died.
RSPCA officers estimated the network of dealers were selling puppies for an average of £500 each – making at least £2,548,500 by selling 5,097 puppies during a five-year period – although investigators suspect there were many more.
The gang were most active between 2014 and 2016, before being raided by police and RSPCA investigators. Forensic examinations of mobile phones used to sell the puppies show they were making around £800,000 a year during this period.
On 27 May 2016 RSPCA officers joined Metropolitan Police officers as they executed warrants at four addresses in Hayes: Bedwell Gardens, Bradenham Road, Coldharbour Lane, and Rosedale Avenue.
A further warrant was executed by Thames Valley Police at a property in Tenaplas Drive, Upper Basildon, on 1 February 2017.
During the first warrants, a total of 46 dogs and puppies were found being kept in plastic sheds, outbuildings and garages, or running loose in gardens and yards at the four Hayes addresses. All of these were seized and placed into RSPCA care.
The dead bodies of four Yorkshire terrier puppies were found wrapped in black bin bags scattered around the garden at the property in Coldharbour Lane – thought to be from the same litter. Despite veterinary treatment, four puppies later died from parvovirus.
Three of the bitches, who were pregnant when they were seized, went on to have a total of 16 puppies, although one was still-born.
Nine dogs were later seized from the Berkshire address and taken into RSPCA care.
RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall, who uncovered the gang with help from the Metropolitan Police, said: “Four of the gang members are siblings and, together with their partners, launched this network of puppy sellers and dealers in west London, with Edward and Mary Teresa Stokes later continuing to sell dogs from their new address in Reading, Berkshire, while Thomas Stokes went on to sell again from another property in Feltham.
“This was an complex and sophisticated network of organised fraud and cruelty to dogs. This was a complicated and multi-faceted, high volume conspiracy whereby the gang has misrepresented commercial, puppy-farmed dogs imported from abroad as family-bred pets to con members of the public out of money.
“Puppies were illegally imported from southern Ireland before being transported to the defendants’ homes where they were kept in plastic sheds, outbuildings and garages. They were advertised online and sold for between £350 and £650 each.
“The gang were generally dealing with fashionable breeds and designer crossbreeds such as Yorkies, cavapoos and Labradoodles.”
Officers took statements from 83 victims in total, all of whom had bought puppies from the gang at different addresses, having responded to adverts posted online. Twenty-five puppies sadly died or had to be put to sleep due to severe health problems.
“Buyers have had to cover expensive veterinary bills or, tragically, lost their pet as a result of poor breeding, inappropriate transport and inadequate care,” inspector Withnall added.
“We also discovered that the sellers were using lots of different names and aliases as well as changing phone numbers.
“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. They were provided with paperwork relating to pedigree parentage, health documentation and vaccination certificates, much of which was falsified and did not or could not be shown to relate to the puppy in question.
“When visiting, buyers were usually met by a man, often there were children and a woman present, giving the impression of the ‘family home’ that the puppies were claimed to have been part of. They were also shown bitches claimed to be the mothers but we now know these were stooge dogs bought in to lull buyers into a false sense of security.”
Daniel Doherty, who operates two My Vets surgeries in Uxbridge, west London, conspired with the gang to commit fraud. Evidence showed that 4,689 puppies were taken to MyVet 24/7 by the gang between 23 March 2011 and 10 May 2017 for their first vaccinations, with the vet pocketing at least £75,000.
Convictions/Sentencing
Daniel Doherty, born 28 July 1968, of Wood Lane, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud, was given a 12-month suspended sentence. Following a review of the case by the Court of Appeal on 19 July 2018 under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme Doherty was sent to prison for three years and six months.
Following a retrial which concluded in January 2020, Doherty was sentenced to two years in jail suspended for 18 months. Doherty was released from prison after serving just eight months. He immediately returned to work as a veterinary surgeon at his practice. Simon O’Donnell, born 23 August 1987, previously of Bradenham Road, Hayes, was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud, running a pet shop without a licence, and three animal welfare offences. He was sentenced to three years in prison (later increased to four years by the Court of Appeal). He was disqualified from keeping dogs for life. He was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge. Thomas Stokes, born 16 May 1992, previously of Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud offence and one animal welfare offence. He was jailed for three years (increased to four years and eight months by the Court of Appeal). Disqualified from keeping dogs for life. He was ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge. Thomas O’Donnell, born 27 January 1989, previously of Bedwell Gardens, Hayes, was convicted of four fraud offences and three animal welfare offences. He was handed a two-year jail term suspended for two years. He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity. He was also disqualified from keeping dogs for life and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge. Margaret McDonagh, born 25 September 1990, previously of Bradenham Road, Hayes was convicted of fraud and given an 18-month community order and rehabilitation activity. She was also ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and given an order which prohibits her from keeping dogs until an application to the court to lift it. Mary McDonagh, born 15 September 1989, previously of Bradenham Road, Hayes, was convicted of fraud. She was given a 12-month community order. She was also ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and given an order which prohibits her from keeping dogs until an application to the court to lift it. Edward Stokes, born 10 December 1982, previously of Rosedale Avenue, Hayes, and later of Tenaplas Drive, Upper Basildon in Berkshire, was convicted of fraud and animal welfare offences. He was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years (increased to four years and eight months in prison by the Court of Appeal). He received a lifetime ban on keeping dogs which cannot be appealed for 10 years.
In August 2018 Thomas Stokes had his prison term extended again after he continued to sell unwell dogs while being investigated.
Stokes had moved to Hughenden Road in High Wycombe while under investigation.
Police stopped Thomas Stokes’s car in High Wycombe and found three cockapoos in the boot
His ruse was uncovered when police stopped him in High Wycombe while he was in his car – as part of a separate inquiry – and they found three dogs were found in the boot of his car.
Stokes admitted a further count of fraud by false representation and two animal welfare offences.
His sentence was extended by 27 months, taking his total sentence to six years and 11 months.
Speaking after the latest sentencing, RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall said: “It goes to show how much money there is to be made in this trade that people will take the risk and continue selling, despite being investigated.
“Sadly though it’s the animals who pay the price when these dealers fail to put their health and welfare first.”
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee directed that Doherty be suspended from the register for just one month following his conviction for conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.
The RCVS committee said they had taken into account the circumstances of this case and, in particular, the view of the court that Doherty had been motivated solely by animal welfare concerns and not financial gain, and that it was this overriding concern that had allowed others to exploit his willingness to continue to vaccinate puppies despite their source.
CONVICTED (2018) | Rebecca Chantel Wall aka Rebecca Taylor, born 30/06/1994, formerly of Canterbury Close, Ashington, then Choppington but as of May 2020 living in Cornwell Crescent, Bedlington NE22 5AP – moved out of rented accommodation, leaving behind a young puppy and kitten to starve to death.
Shameful Rebecca Wall left a puppy and kitten behind to die from starvation when she fled her property due to rent arrears.
Rebecca Wall pleaded guilty to five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Wall had clocked up rent arrears when she decided to flee her property in Ashington, Northumberland, in 2017.
But she left behind a 10-week-old kitten, called Titus, and a 12-week-old black retriever puppy, named Athena.
Members of Northumberland County Council’s animal welfare team were called to the property on July 27, 2017, by a distressed housing officer who had entered the abandoned property and discovered the animals’ bodies.
Athena was found in a bedroom with the door closed and kitten Titus was found dead in the living room, also with the door closed. Neither had food or water.
Inspectors discovered pet food packaging which the starving kitten had chewed in desperation.
Heartbreaking pictures taken by the inspectors inside the property showed packets of pet food, which the kitten had desperately tried to rip open, prosecutors said.
A post-mortem revealed both animals had died from starvation and dehydration, while pieces of plastic pet food wrapper were also found inside the cat’s stomach.
Both animals had been microchipped to Wall, who was at the time banned from keeping pets after a previous animal cruelty conviction from 2013, and she was traced.
Attempts were made to interview her but she failed to attend appointments, magistrates were told.
Wall also failed to turn up at her first court appearance to face two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, two of failing to ensure the welfare of an animal and one of keeping an animal while disqualified.
A warrant was issued for her arrest and, when she next appeared in the dock, she pleaded guilty to all the offences.
One of Northumberland County Council animal welfare officers involved in the case said: “This is the worst case I have been involved with. The animals had clearly been left to die of starvation and dehydration. It was a mindless act of animal cruelty.”
Sentencing: 14 week custodial sentence for each of the five charges, to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months; 15 days of rehabilitation activity with the probation service. Total of £2,222 costs and charges. Disqualified from owning and keeping animals for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2018) | Peter Hillin, born c. 1971, of Ashbury Road, Huyton, Liverpool L14 8XA – attacked a dog with an axe causing horrific head and shoulder injuries
Hillin, who claimed to love dogs more than people, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal .
He had claimed he only used the handle of the fearsome weapon to strike Neo when the dog attacked his other Staffy, Santos.
But a vet dealing with Neo’s horrific injuries told a court he believed they were consistent with three or four blows with the sharp end of the axe.
Shocked neighbours called police after Neo was left covered in blood from cuts to his head and shoulder.
Armed officers arrested Hillin at his home at around 4pm on Sunday, December 3 2017.
Jane Stacey, prosecuting, said: “The reports to police were that there was a man in that road striking a dog with an axe.
“Several neighbours had become involved in this and one lady said when she came out of her house she saw blood on the hands of this defendant and saw an injured dog.”
Ms Stacey said police arrived on the scene and immediately began giving first aid to Neo, who had severe lacerations on his back and head.
Hillin was arrested and was also found to have injuries to his hands, which he was later treated for in hospital.
He told officers he had tried to separate his dogs with his hands but when this failed had grabbed an axe, the “closest thing to hand” and hit Neo with the handle.
During a trial in April 2018 he told magistrates: “I was trying to stop them killing each other and I quite literally put myself in the way and when that didn’t work, I hit them.”
However the court found Hillin’s account of how the injuries were caused was “inconsistent” and convicted him on the basis he had used the sharp end of the axe.
Ms Stacey said Neo was treated by a vet, who performed surgery to repair a deep 4cm laceration to his head and another deep 4-5cm laceration to his right shoulder.
The vet also found puncture wounds consistent with bites from another dog.
Neo and Santos, who only received minor injuries, both made a full recovery and had been taken into police kennels – costing the taxpayer £2,000 per dog.
Keith Webster, defending, said his client accepted the decision of the court after his trial, said: “It is clear from having heard the evidence of the trial that Peter Hillin did not wake up that morning and decide to injure his dogs.
“What clearly happened, and was common ground through the puncture wounds, is that one dog attacked the other, that’s how this incident started.
“Mr Hillin became involved because he was fearful that one dog was going to kill the other. These were his pets and had been for a number of years.”
Mr Webster said Hillin lived a “rather solitary lifestyle” outside of his job and said: “He loves his dogs more than people, he’s not a people person.”
Sentencing | 20 weeks in prison, suspended for two years; 200 hours of unpaid work; £1,100 prosecution costs. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires May 2028).
