Newry, County Down: Harrison MacUillin

May 21, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Harrison MacUillin (aka Harry McQuillan), born 26 July 1995, of Warrenpoint Road, Newry BT34 2PN – arranged to have a dog’s ears cropped, leaving her in pain.

Irresponsible MacUillin, who runs a company named Harry’s Valeting, was convicted on 21 May 2018 in Newry Magistrates Court of offences under Sections 4, 5 and 9 of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.

Charges under the provisions of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 were brought by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council against MacUillin, in relation to one dog in his care.

He was charged with the offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, permitting another person to carry out a prohibited procedure on the dog by cropping the sensitive tissue of the dog’s ears and for failure to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of the dog were being met including protecting the dog from pain, injury and suffering.

The Council received a complaint which alleged that a dog who had her ears cropped had been taken into the USPCA hospital in Newry after she had been found straying.

The animal was taken into the possession of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council by the Animal Welfare Officer and given appropriate veterinary treatment.

The dog was later successfully rehomed after she recovered from her injuries.

Sentencing: fined £600 and ordered to pay costs of £220. Five-year ban on owning animals (expires May 2023).

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council news

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Aberdeen: Justin Reid

May 18, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Justin Reid, born c. 1975, of King’s Crescent, Aberdeen AB24 3HP – repeatedly punched his pet dog in the street.

Justin Reid from Aberdeen subjected his pet dog Amber to a brutal beating.

Justin Reid pleaded guilty to causing a dog unnecessary suffering by repeatedly punching the animal to the head and body.

Reid hit the seven-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, named Amber, at a bus stop on King Street, Aberdeen, on February 25, 2018.

Police witnessed Reid strike the dog to the head and body about six times on CCTV.

When officers arrived on the scene Reid tried to demonstrate he had only been “play fighting” with the pet by punching her again – leaving her “cowering”.

Dog abuser Justin Reid from Aberdeen pictured outside court. — Dog abuser Justin Reid pictured outside court.

Defence agent Paul Barnett said his client, who is unemployed, has a history of mental health difficulties.

He said: “The dog is jointly owned by Mr Reid and his girlfriend.

“It’s accepted by him he was heavily under the influence of alcohol.

“He thought that he was play fighting with the dog but having seen the CCTV he accepts he went beyond what could be described as play fighting. That’s a matter of extreme regret for Mr Reid.”

Mr Barnett added the dog had been in the care of the SSPCA since the incident, but that Reid’s girlfriend hoped to get her back.

Sentencing: fined £120. Not banned from keeping animals.

Evening Express

Dogs

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: Iain Cockley-Adams

May 18, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Iain Duncan Cockley-Adams, born August 1960, of Croghan Hill Farm, Sevenhampton, Cheltenham GL54 5SL – left two dogs for eight hours in a horsebox in 29C temperatures.

Mugshot of NHS manager Iain Duncan Cockley-Adams whose idiotic actions led to the death of one dog. — NHS manager Iain Cockley-Adams

Iain Cockley-Adams, a manager with Gloucestershire Care Services NHS, was convicted of cruelty after leaving his two collie-cross dogs in the back of his vehicle while his wife competed in a riding event.

Cockley-Adams left two dogs in a horsebox at the event in Euston on a hot day in June 2017. He said he’d left them with four bowls of water and checked on them twice.

But temperatures outside had reached 29C and the court heard the horsebox felt as hot as an oven when opened.

Labrador-collie cross Wade was found collapsed and was put down.

Miraculously his brother Dec survived.

Prosecutor Hazel Stevens argued that Cockley-Adams failed to check the pets often enough.

She said: “No one is suggesting this was deliberate, but it was careless.

An RSPCA spokesman blasted the “avoidable” death, adding: “We hope that this case sends out a clear message that leaving a dog in a hot vehicle, will not be tolerated by the courts.”

Sentencing: fined £1,750, and ordered to pay £1582.23 in court costs. Banned from keeping another dog for three years, but magistrates did not order the seizure of Dec.

The Sun
Horse & Hound

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers

Moreton, Merseyside: Zoe Finlay

May 16, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Zoe Finlay, born c. 1982, of Pasture Crescent, Moreton, Wirral CH46 8SZ – starved two dogs to within days of death.

Zoe Finlay from Moreton, Merseyside left her two dogs starving and within days of death

Mother-of-four Finlay pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to four-year-old Mastiff Vinnie and one-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux Hugo at her home.

The dogs, which are regarded as ‘giant’ breeds, should have weighed upwards of 50kg each, but Hugo weighed just 26.2kg and Vinnie tipped the scales at 21.9kg.

They were rescued by RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes who discovered them when he visited the house on January 3, 2018.

Inspector Joynes said: “The dogs were reported to us as being abandoned in the house so I went round to see if I could see any sign of them.

“I could see through the windows that there were piles of faeces and urine puddles everywhere, and I couldn’t see any food or water out for the dogs.

“I was really concerned for the dogs’ welfare because they were extremely skinny so I contacted the police to request access to the property and I jumped in my van to head to a nearby veterinary surgery to ask a vet to come and see to the dogs.

“When I arrived back at the house there was a light on inside. I banged on the door and Ms Finlay answered.

“I could see Hugo, a young Dogue de Bordeaux, in the kitchen and he was extremely underweight. She admitted that she was struggling to cope and everything had got on top of her.

“She agreed to sign Hugo over into RSPCA care but denied any knowledge of a second dog.”

Inspector Joynes pressed her and she finally admitted that her second dog, four-year-old mastiff Vinnie, was in an upstairs bedroom.

He said: “I’d caught a glimpse of Vinnie earlier through the window when I’d been trying to spot the dogs inside so I knew he was in there somewhere.”

The dogs were rushed to a nearby vet which confirmed Vinnie’s organs had started to shut down. Had he been left for another day he could have died.

In five days of round-the-clock care, Hugo gained 3kg, with Vinnie adding double this and they have made an incredible recovery.

Both dogs have since been rehomed.

Abused dogs Hugo and Vinnie following their recovery. — Hugo and Vinnie are now thriving but could easily have died as a result of Zoe Finlay’s cruelty and neglect.

Inspector Joynes added: “Ms Finlay let her dogs down badly. She could have asked for help but she chose to do nothing.

“If it hadn’t have been for the public’s concern for these dogs, we may well have been dealing with two bodies.”

Sentencing: 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months; £615 in costs. Disqualified from keeping animals for life.

Evening Times
Liverpool Echo
Wirral Globe

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Torryburn, Dunfermline: Allison Girdwood

May 16, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Allison Girdwood, born c. 1957, of Craigflower Gardens, Torryburn, Dunfermline KY12 8HF – left her dog to suffer for years with a chronic skin condition

Cocker spaniel Bracken was suffering from numerous ailments including skin conditions, overgrown nails, ear conditions, eye conditions, dental disease and a tumour.

Allison Girdwood pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide treatment to her cocker spaniel Bracken, who had several ailments. He was so poorly he had to be put to sleep.

Scottish SPCA Inspector Nicola Liddell said: “When I first entered the property there was a strong fungal smell which suggested Bracken had been suffering from his condition for a long time.

“I removed Bracken from the property and immediately sought veterinary advice. It was determined that he was suffering from a number of chronic dermatological conditions.

“It became apparent that Bracken hadn’t been seen by a vet since 2011 meaning that his various ailments had been unchecked for years.

“He had overgrown toenails, and inflamed paws meaning movement would have been arduous. He was also suffering from two masses, one of which was situated on his neck.

“Bracken was also suffering from severe dental disease, resulting in numerous teeth being missing, and ‘dry eye’ which would have severely limited his vision.”

She added: “Sadly, due to the extent of his condition, Bracken was put to sleep following veterinary advice.

“These conditions would have been easily maintained if regular veterinary checks had taken place. It’s clear that Bracken has been let down by Girdwood by her failure to take his needs into consideration.”

Sentencing | £400 fine. Banned from having pets for just three years (expired May 2021).

The Sun
Dunfermline Press

Cats

Clifton, Nottingham: Tony and Helen Peck

May 15, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Tony Peck, born c. 1976, and wife Helen Peck, born c. 1965, both of Southchurch Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 – kept their four cats in filthy and cramped conditions at their home.

Animal abusers: Tony and Helen Peck from Clifton, Nottingham

Tony and Helen Peck pleaded guilty to three Animal Welfare Act offences after their four flea-infested cats were found living in squalor.

Shocking pictures show cluttered rooms littered with cans of cat food piled several feet in the air, almost to the ceiling.

The court was told the RSPCA was contacted by a member of the public who raised concerns about conditions the cats were living in.

Conditions in which Nottingham couple Tony and Helen Peck kept their flea-infested cats

A warrant was obtained by the police after the RSPCA was unable to gain access to the property to check on the animals’ welfare.

RSPCA inspector Susan Hammond and the police entered the house on January 18, 2018 and were shocked at the conditions.

Conditions inside the Pecks' filthy house. — Conditions inside the Pecks’ filthy house.

Inspector Hammond said: “Two of the cats were in one bedroom and the remaining two were in a separate bedroom – both rooms had faeces and urine everywhere and the smell was incredibly strong.

“One of the rooms had approximately 300 empty cat food tins in it and it is lucky that these tins didn’t injure the cats.

“There were flies everywhere and the cats were riddled with fleas.

“The conditions they were living in were far from ideal – not only was it filled with rubbish, but there was little ventilation and light.

“Both Tony and Helen Peck knew the cats had fleas but rather than seeking vet treatment, they tried to treat this themselves using lemon juice and olive oil – an idea they had got from the internet.

“Keeping animals in these conditions is not acceptable, nor is it OK to try and treat your pets yourself using advice from the internet instead of taking them to a vet.

“These poor cats were covered in fleas and suffered as a result.”

The four cats – tortoiseshell Minnie, tabby Hettie, ginger cat Ollie and cream cat Logan – have now been signed into the RSPCA’s care where they will be put up for rehoming.

While they have been banned from keeping animals for three years, Magistrates gave Tony and Helen Peck permission to keep two budgies.

Sentencing: banned from keeping animals for three years (expired 2021).

Evening Times
Notts TV

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Worst of the Worst

Bromyard, Herefordshire: Tracey Dawn Davis

May 12, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Tracey Dawn Davis, born 18/02/1969, of Ballhurst, Bromyard HR7 4EF – allowed two thoroughbred horses to become so malnourished they had to be put down

Hal (left) and Pumpkin were starved to the point of no return.

Tracey Davis admitted neglecting ex-racehorses Pumpkin and Hal when she appeared before magistrates.

Davis was warned about the condition of one of the horses but failed to listen to their advice.

She admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the horses between October 14 and November 14, 2017, and also admitted failing to meet their needs between March 14 and November 14, 2017, by not adequately worming them.

Hal, 18, formerly known as ‘He’s a Leader’, collapsed after he was recovered by the RSPCA and the decision was made to put him down after vets could not get him to stand.

Five-year-old Pumpkin, formerly known as ‘Buds Bruvver’, collapsed from damage caused by redworm and was also put down – despite putting up a good fight in recovery.

Following an anonymous call from a member of the public, the RSPCA, vets and police found the horses in extremely poor condition and they were removed.

RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith, who investigated, said: “To let these horses get into such a shocking state is inexcusable.

“Both horses were extremely thin and undernourished and had simply been left to suffer without care for their welfare.

“Thoroughbreds are not an easy horse to keep, yet are unfortunately too easy to pick up for little to no money and sadly therefore often find themselves in the hands of those who are completely inexperienced or unequipped in dealing with their needs.”

Sentencing: 12 weeks in prison, suspended for one year; 120 hours unpaid work; £614 in costs. Banned from keeping horses for 20 years.

Daily Mail
Worcester News

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Dogs, Hoarders, Lifers, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics, Worst of the Worst

Cambridge: Sarah Pickup

May 11, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Sarah Pickup, born c. 1979, of Dennis Road, Cambridge CB5 – kept dogs, cats and lizards in appalling conditions at her home; 21 lizards and other exotic pets found dead.

Reptiles kept in appalling conditions at Sarah Pickup's home in Cambridge.

Pickup pleaded guilty to six offences under the Animal Welfare Act for mistreating dogs, cats and lizards.

Prosecutor Janita Patel told the court that the case came to light after the RSPCA was contacted by someone who had been asked to look after the animals while Pickup was on holiday.

The person was shocked by the conditions in the house and discovered numerous dead reptiles, some of which had been put in plastic bags – while the live reptiles were living in poor conditions.

They also found a Cavalier King Charles spaniel with a buster collar on and a swollen infected ear.

Pickup’s offences in full:

Causing unnecessary suffering to a Cavalier King Charles spaniel called Freddie by failing to seek veterinary care and attention for his ear condition
Failing to meet his needs for adequate flea control
Failing to meet the needs of a cat called Flower, 21 leopard geckos, one chameleon, one plated lizard, one blue-tongued skink, two axolotls, one gecko, and one corn snake, by failing to provide them with a suitable environment
Failing to meet the needs of a chameleon
Causing it unnecessary suffering by failing to investigate and address the cause of its poor bodily condition and weight loss
Failing to meet the needs of 15 leopard geckos and one axolotl by failing to provide an appropriate environment

In total, 26 live reptiles, two amphibians, 21 dead reptiles and 20 dead African land snails were found at the property.

RSPCA inspector Alex Coghlan, who investigated the incident, said: “The conditions at the home were appalling. There was a terrible smell coming from the home and there were dead reptiles just dumped in plastic bags in the garden.

“Many of the live reptiles were being housed in inappropriate conditions, with no water, light or heat, yet the vivariums which did have heaters were just not plugged in or the bulbs had gone out.

“It was heartbreaking to see so many animals just left in such awful conditions.

“Exotic animals need specialist care and sadly these animals had not been looked after appropriately.”

All animals were signed over into the care of the RSPCA and taken to a specialist facility.

Sadly one leopard gecko had to be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Sentencing: 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; total of £415 costs and charges; 40 hours of rehabilitation with the probation service. Banned for life from keeping animals.

CambridgeshireLive

Dogs

Leigh, Greater Manchester: Gail and Nicola Bradshaw

May 10, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Gail Bradshaw, born 27/08/1953, and daughter Nicola Bradshaw, born 07/08/1988, both of Minehead Avenue, Leigh WN7 5QF – failed to seek veterinary treatment for their dogs’ chronic and severe skin conditions

Animal abusers: Gail and Nicola Bradshaw from Leigh, Greater Manchester, UK. Pictured outside court.

Mother and daughter Gail and Nicola Bradshaw failed to provide proper care for West Highland terriers Poppy and Holly. The dogs had severe skin conditions which led to infection and fur loss. When found, Poppy was wearing a filthy baby jumper that was stuck to her weeping skin.

Animal abusers: Gail and Nicola Bradshaw from Leigh, Greater Manchester, UK, failed to treat their dogs' skin conditions

Speaking about the case, RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald said: “Poppy was by far the worst. She was the one wearing the child’s jumper. It was filthy, and when we tried to remove it at the vets it had stuck to her skin around her armpits, chest and front legs, where it had been weeping.

“She had been suffering the longest, veterinary evidence of her skin condition goes all the way back to 2014.

“A new treatment plan was put in place in March 2015 and the vet advised that Poppy needed to be brought back seven to 10 days later but that never happened.

“Gail Bradshaw said she didn’t think the vet treatment was working so decided to self treat the condition after seeking advice from the internet and friends instead.

Animal abuser Nicola Bradshaw from Leigh, Greater Manchester, UK. Pic: Facebook

“When Holly started to get similar symptoms in early 2017 she was never taken to the vet. This is despite both dogs having ‘ultimate’ Petplan insurance which could have covered the treatment.

“The severity of the skin conditions and fur loss suffered by these dogs was the worst I’ve seen in my 15-year career. They were in an absolutely shocking state.”

The court had heard how the proceedings had had a “major effect” on the pair with both afraid to go out in public. Nicola Bradshaw had been the subject of online abuse with one message on Facebook stating she should “rot in hell.”

Sentencing |12-month community orders with an unpaid work requirement of 200 hours each. Banned from keeping pets for five years (expires May 2023).

Wigan Today
Manchester Evening News

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Kingswood, Bristol: Dawn Boucher

May 9, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | Dawn H Boucher, born 1961, of Soundwell Road, Bristol BS15 1JJ – for the prolonged neglect of an elderly Staffy found with a huge facial tumour

Animal abuser: Dawn Boucher from Bristol, UK

Boucher pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to her 16-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Frasier, after failing to treat an infected, ulcerated tumour on his ear and neck

Frasier developed a tumour in his ear before Christmas 2017 but his owner didn’t get it treated and it got worse and became ulcerated and infected.

Dawn Boucher from Bristol, UK, failed to treat her elderly dog's facial tumour

The tumour got so bad that when RSPCA officers took him to an independent vet, Frasier had to be put to sleep.

“Sadly Frasier suffered from prolonged neglect that could have been avoided by seeking appropriate veterinary care much earlier,” said RSPCA inspector Simon Coombs, who investigated the case.

“He was found to have an untreated tumour on his ear and neck which had become ulcerated and infected.

“Pet owners have a responsibility to address any health conditions their animals may have – ignoring serious issues won’t make them go away.

“Anyone who is worried about the health of their pet can always seek help and advice from the RSPCA and a number of other animal charities,” he added.

Sentencing: eight-week prison sentence – suspended for a year; £350 costs. Disqualified from keeping animals for five years (expires May 2023).

BristolLive

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: May 2018