CONVICTED (2018) | Jeremiah Smith, born July 1997, and his father Jason Smith, born February 1972, both of Burton Road, Branston, Burton-on- Trent DE14 3DL – for the mistreatment of rabbits, hens, owls and a kestrel
Gypsies Jeremiah and Jason Smith were both prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The RSPCA found up to 70 animals at their address in Burton Road including chickens, rabbits and birds of prey, the latter kept in cages for parrots and being fed unsuitable foods. Chickens were also not being treating for a mite infestation.
Smith senior pleaded guilty to charges of failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to animals between August 10 and 15, 2017.
This included failing to treat 17 chickens for a mite infestation and failing to meet the need for a suitable living environment for 30 chickens. He also pleaded guilty for failing to meet the need for a suitable living environment for three goldfinches.
His son Jeremiah Smith – father to triplets – pleaded guilty to four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals.
This included failing to meet the need for a suitable living environment for five rabbits, a kestrel, two barn owls and 12 pigeons as well as failing to meet their need of a suitable diet and constant water supply for the rabbits.
The RSPCA praised the court for their ruling and warned people not to keep animals they cannot look after.
Jason Smith’s lawyer said they would be appealing against the decision.
Sentencing: Jason Smith – total fines and charges of £1,055. Jeremiah Smith – total fines and charges of £1,455. Both were disqualified from keeping animals for two years (expired 2020).
CONVICTED (2018) | Edward Mosley, born 22 January 1999, of St Annes Road, Newquay TR7 2SA – shot and killed two nesting seagulls with an air rifle
Edward Mosley shot and killed nesting seagulls with an air rifle.
Mosley admitted shooting the two nesting herring gulls.
The RSPCA described the attack as “callous” and urged people to “be tolerant of the wildlife around them”.
RSPCA inspector Paul Kempson, who investigated the gull attacks for the charity, said: “Gulls have a particularly tough time of it and every year we see callous attacks like this, particularly in coastal areas.”
“We urge people to be tolerant of the wildlife living around them, and remember they are protected under law,” he said.
Gulls and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure wild birds.
Sentencing | curfew, court costs of £385, weapon destroyed.
CONVICTED (2018) | Keith Gray, born c. 1958, of Hoylake Road, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 7DA – failed to get medical attention for his bulldog’s severe skin, eye and ear infections.
Wirral Magistrates Court heard bulldog Ella had appeared to be in poor health and a concerned member of the public called the RSPCA to investigate.
Inspector Anthony Joynes went to Gray’s home in May 2018, and found Ella in a cage.
Most of her fur was missing due to a chronic skin disease which had been left untreated for weeks.
She also had an infection in her ears and both eyes – which were badly affected and filled with pus – and was lame with an injury to her front leg.
Gray allowed miniature bulldog Bella to suffer a catalogue of ailments but happily she recovered in the RSPCA’s care
Ella was taken to Upton Veterinary Surgery were she received immediate medical treatment and later cared for at the Wirral and Chester branch of the RSPCA.
She has now been re-homed and is enjoying her new life.
Recalling the case, Inspector Joynes said: “As soon as the door opened at the house the smell of infection hit me.
“Ella was in a room in a cage and was a poor state with most of her fur missing because of the chronic skin disease she had which was causing her to itch constantly.
“She had both types of mange which is very unusual.
“Her eyes were full of pus and when I examined her ears it was clear they were also infected.
“She was also struggling to walk because of an injured front leg and she came limping towards me.
“This really was a catalogue of neglect, Ella had lots of problems which had all been left untreated for weeks.
“The owner failed in his duty of care on numerous levels as there was no attempt to alleviate the dog’s suffering.”
Sentencing | A total of £450 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires September 2023).
CONVICTED (2018) | Samantha Dean, born 17 February 1993, and Thomas Evans, born c. 1985, both of Ashness Close, Mirehouse, Whitehaven CA28 9RR – allowed their pet dog to become so emaciated vets considered putting her to sleep
Ghastly duo lied to vets that they had found the dog wandering when they were responsible for her appalling condition
Dean and Evans were due to stand trial but instead pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to adequately explore and address the causes of the dog’s weight loss between January 14 and February 16 2018.
Dara was so emaciated it was touch and go whether she would survive
RSPCA inspector Martyn Fletcher said: “This poor dog was so poorly that vets considered putting her to sleep on welfare grounds.
“She was collapsed and her temperature was so low they couldn’t get a reading.
“She was extremely emaciated, with almost all the bones in her little body visible.
“She was in such a terrible state she needed to be hospitalised, where she was on a drip for several days.
“We put out a press appeal for information and it got a huge response, including from a number of people who gave us Dean and Evans’ details.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who got in touch.”
The court heard that Dean and Evans called a vets when Dara – now renamed Georgie – collapsed at their home saying they thought she was dying, but they pretended that she was not theirs, instead claiming that they had found her two days earlier.
After a lot of TLC at the vets, and then in foster care, Georgie made a full recovery and has now been very happily rehomed.
Inspector Fletcher said: “She’s doing absolutely brilliantly. I saw her in the summer and she looked like a different dog. Her owner says her character is coming out even more now, and she’s become quite mischievous.”
Sentencing | 20-week community order including a curfew. Ordered to pay £425 costs and an £85 victim surcharge each. Seven-year ban on keeping animals (expires September 2025).
CONVICTED (2018) | sexual deviant Bryan Mills, born c. 1972, of Argyle Square, Sunderland SR2 7BS – caught with 71 images showing humans engaged in sexual activity with snakes, pigs, dogs and horses
Animal sex images which “defy belief” were found on computer equipment belonging to Bryan Mills.
Mills had downloaded the sick bestiality stash featuring humans engaged in sexual activity with snakes, pigs, dogs and horses.
A court heard he was caught with 71 still and moving images of extreme pornography when police went to his home in Sunderland.
The then 46-year-old has been spared prison but was warned about the damage such offences cause.
Judge Tim Gittins, at Newcastle Crown Court, told him: “What you must appreciate, and you don’t appear at this stage to appreciate, is although this involved adults and appears to be adults, on occasions, volunteering in this activity, the items are illegal and do untold damage, not just to the animals but to those you erroneously believe are volunteering.
“Very often adults are coerced into doing what they are doing and the images themselves give no indication of the dreadful situation they find themselves in or the damage of them knowing the images are available for viewing.
“It perpetuates the damage that people like you download and retain them.”
Mills pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornography and was sentenced to a two year community order.
CONVICTED (2018) | Paula Jane Davidson, born 27/04/1979, most recently of Ashton Drive, Bristol BS3 – left two husky-type dogs and eight cats to starve in an abandoned property
Davidson pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to eight cats and two dogs by failing to provide adequate food and supervision. Five cats had died while others had survived by resorting to eating their remains. The dogs had been locked in separate rooms and were forced to sleep in their own excrement.
Magistrates viewed footage filmed by Avon and Somerset police officers after they had forced entry to the property.
During the video the officers can be heard gagging and retching as they move around the rooms. One of them says, “I can’t breathe. My eyes are hurting the smell is so bad.”
An RSPCA inspector was called to the scene and identified the carcasses of five young cats which had been eaten away by other starving cats, leaving the floor littered with fur, legs, tails and skulls attached to spinal cords.
The two huskies had been locked in a small kitchen and bathroom, both of which were inches deep in dog mess.
Kate Burnham-Davies, prosecuting, said the case showed “sustained negligence and cruelty”.
Ms Burnham-Davies described “entrails and clumps of fur strewn across the floor” with “officers unable to walk across the floor without stepping on excrement and carcasses”.
The court heard how police and the RSPCA had spoken to Davidson several times before the forced entry. Police told Davidson she could sign the animals over to the care of the RSPCA, but she did not accept the offer.
Davidson told officers she was living with a friend but returning to the house twice a day to care for the animals. However Ms Burnham-Davies said police heard from neighbours that the house had been deserted for days or even weeks.
Davidson’s solicitor said that his client’s mental health was a key factor in the case. He said that she had been sectioned after the death of her grandmother who had lived with Davidson at the property. He said she was suffering severe depression, a personality disorder and transient psychotic disorder and was receiving treatment at a psychiatric unit.
Davidson pictured outside court
Ms Burnham-Davies said that despite Davidson’s mental health issues, the prolonged nature of the abuse meant she was fully culpable for the animal’s suffering.
In passing sentence presiding magistrate noted that Davidson had refused help with the animals when offered, saying: “You caused unnecessary and prolonged cruelty to cats and dogs in your care.”
Sentencing: 12-week suspended sentence with a 25-day rehabilitation requirement. £250 costs and charges. Banned from keeping any animal for an indefinite period of time.
Davidson was given a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to ill-treatment and neglect of a person who lacks capacity. The court heard how Davidson had left her 90-year-old grandmother, Betty Long, alone in a house full of animal faeces. Police entered the house in Ashton Drive, Bristol to find dementia-suffering Mrs Long alone, bruised, and on an overflowing commode.
Party girl: Paula Davidson socialised while her animals and grandmother lived in squalor
Davidson was reported to be often out socialising in August and September 2017, leaving Mrs Long on her own for lengthy periods of time. Mrs Long died a short time after the raid.
CONVICTED (2018) | Christopher Benjamin James Mason, born 24/11/1996, of 10 Cloverfield, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1EG – possession of extreme pornographic images involving an animal, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and conspiracy to destroy property.
The charges involved Mason punching and burning a dog’s stomach with hot blades, as well as destroying a load of signs and property all to do with animals.
Sentencing: Mason was given an 18-month community order, a rehabilitation order, an 18-month mental health treatment requirement and 50 hours of unpaid work.
Mason’s mother Kim Taylor was also sentenced for causing damage to signs and property to do with animals. She was given a six-month community order, a 15-day rehabilitation requirement and a £50 fine.
CONVICTED (2018) | Serena Reynoldson, born 27/03/1983, of Sealham Road, Witney OX29 7XU – filmed herself pouring thick bleach into her partner’s tropical fish tank and goaded him as the fish died
Serena Reynoldson killed the tropical fish to get back at her boyfriend
Mother-of-five Reynoldson was furious that boyfriend Jonathan Fitzpatrick had left her to deal with their children and family pets after an alleged affair.
She filmed herself pouring the poisonous substance into a tank belonging to Mr Fitzpatrick on 9 January 2018 and sent him the video as a WhatsApp message.
In the video Reynoldson can be seen holding an open bottle labelled thick bleach.
She says: “Seeing as it’s okay for you to have your hobbies but I can’t have mine, bleach right in there.”
She then pours the bleach into the tank, saying “eat it, drink it, good” as the fish swim towards the chemical adding: “die, die, die.”
Reynoldson continued: “If I can’t have no hobbies or a life you can’t have them and I’m not paying for it.”
She proceeds to taunt her ex-boyfriend as the fish start to float to the surface of the water calling him ‘selfish’ as she continues to add bleach from a second bottle.
Mr Fitzpatrick called police after the incident and the RSPCA were called in.
Reynoldson admitted a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals.
Investigating RSPCA inspector Andy Eddy said: “It’s shocking that the fish were killed during this deliberate vengeful intentional act.
“These fish would have suffered needlessly because of the levels of chlorine and ammonia being poured in the water by Serena Reynoldson.
“There is never an excuse for such heartless and unpleasant behaviour, or for showing such a lack of empathy towards any animal by behaving in this way.”
Sentencing | 18-week suspended prison sentence; £415 in court costs; banned from keeping fish for life.
CONVICTED (2018) | Troy Draycott, born 1 December 1986, of Holyrood Street, Chard TA20 2DN and Michael William Stephens, born c. 1990, of Old Town Flats, Chard – kept two poorly cats in foul conditions.
Chard men Troy Draycott (left) and Michael Stephens left cats Lexi and Blade to suffer in foul conditions and failed to have their ailments treated.
When an RSPCA inspector called at the address of one of the men she was greeted with an overwhelming stench of cat urine and faeces.
When she entered the bathroom where the cats – named Lexi and Blade – were being kept she found them in a state of distress and neglect and lying on a urine-soaked cushion and blanket.
The room was covered in dirt and walked-in faeces, including pools of diarrhoea, and the two cats were very subdued, sat in a hunched position and were heavily soiled.
Lexi was in a very poor condition and appeared emaciated with her spine, ribs and pelvis easily felt. She also had minimal muscle tone and was described as being in a “life-threatening condition”.
Lexi and Blade had dirty ears and flea dirt throughout their coats which were wet with urine and “smelt appalling”. There was some food and milk in a bowl, but no water was available.
They were assessed by a veterinary surgeon who said they had high levels of flea dirt and were soaked in urine. They also had mites and ear infections and Blade had a urine-soaked underside, skin lesions and stunk of ammonia.
Lexi’s body condition was anaemic, her temperature was very low and she was in a life-threatening condition.
Draycott and Stephens both pleaded guilty to causing animal suffering.
Chard cat abusers Stephens and Draycott outside court
The court heard that both cats had since responded to treatment, were in full good health and would not be returned to the defendants.
Defending solicitor Ray Peters said that Stephens and Draycott were joint owners of the cats and had both been diagnosed with learning difficulties and other mental health conditions.
“They discussed the possibility of owning an animal of some sort but were of the opinion that the accommodation they had was not suitable,” he said.
“However they noticed an advert on Facebook for two kittens being sold by a friend and, perhaps somewhat foolishly, they went and had a look and immediately fell in love with them and had them.
“Initially they were at Draycott’s home but the housing association was not prepared for him to have pets so they moved them to Stephens’ flat where they were rescued from.
“When the inspector attended they both immediately agreed and were delighted to be able to sign the animals over because they realised they were not able to look after them as they should have.”
He said the regret was that they did not do anything earlier but added that they now didn’t have any animals and did not wish to have any.
Sentencing: £150 each towards court costs. Banned from keeping animals for just five years (expires September 2023).
