Dogs

Britwell, Slough: Emma-Louise Welland

March 9, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Emma Welland, born c. 1971, of Wavell Gardens, Slough SL2 2EJ – lied that she had found a dying dog dumped in woodland, but the pet was actually hers.

Animal abuser: Emma Welland, from Slough, Berkshire

Welland claimed to have found the abandoned animal in Britwell’s Bluebell Woods on June 12, 2018, when she called to tell Slough Borough Council’s neighbourhood enforcement team she had taken him home to care for him.

Rasher was severely neglected by Emma Welland, from Slough, Berkshire — Welland’s dog was rushed to an emergency vet but nothing could be done and he was put down a week later

The elderly dog, called Rasher, had been severely neglected over a significant period. He was seriously malnourished and could barely walk. He was rushed to an emergency vet but nothing could be done for him and he was put down a week later.

The vet found Rasher was suffering serious muscle wastage, malnutrition, dangerous weight loss and a nasty skin condition.

An appeal was launched to find the callous owner and several people identified Welland as the person actually responsible for Rasher.

Welland admitted a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Ian Blake, the council’s neighbourhood manager, said: “This was a very difficult case due to the original reports from Emma Welland frustrating the investigation.

“She claimed to have found Rasher when she was actually the dog’s owner and person responsible for his terrible condition.

“She had fabricated the entire story of the abandoned dog in the wood and tried to pass her responsibility as an owner over to Slough Borough Council.

“Extensive efforts were made by vets and the kennels to support and rehabilitate Rasher however, he had deteriorated to such a poor state there was little more that could be done.

“Everyone involved in this case found it difficult to come to terms with what happened to Rasher. The actual facts of the matter would never have come to light if people had not come forward with information during the council’s publicity campaign and I would like to thank those who did.”

Councillor Pavitar K Mann, cabinet member for regulation and consumer protection, said: “Emma Welland was identified after Slough Borough Council launched a search to find Rasher’s owner when we thought he had been abandoned.

“To find out his owner was the woman who tried to claim to be the hero in this scenario was just so sad.

“As the council we will always endeavour to gather as much information as possible which could lead to prosecution through the justice system.”

Sentencing: 40 hours of unpaid work; 12-month community order; 15 days of a rehabilitation activity; costs and charges totalling £145. Banned from owning or keeping any animal for five years (expires March 2024).

Slough Observer

Update | March 2022

Welland was caught with a cat despite being banned from owning animals.

On March 17, 2022 Welland pleaded guilty to owning, keeping, controlling or influencing a cat five months later, on July 24, 2019, breaching her disqualification.

The judge fined her £80 and ordered her to pay costs of £800.

Welland was ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30.

Slough Observer.

Reptiles / Exotics, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

City of Aberdeen: Yasmin Docherty and Frankie-Jane Kane

March 9, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Frankie Jane Kane, born 3 July 1999 of Printfield Walk, Woodside, Aberdeen AB24, and Yasmin Docherty (aka Yasmin Walker), born circa 2000, of Marischal Court, Castlehill, Aberdeen AB11 – filmed themselves abusing an escaped boa constrictor in the street.

Snake killlers Frankie-Jane Kane and Yasmin Doherty from Aberdeen, Scotland — Yasmin Docherty (left) and Frankie-Jane Kane

Vile Frankie Kane and Yasmin Doherty shared twisted videos of themselves mistreating the snake, named Esmerelda, on social media site Snapchat.

Kane hurled the escape animal 10ft across an Aberdeen street and Doherty swung her above her head.

The disturbing footage which they captured in the early hours of July 4, 2018, showed Esmerelda “writhing in pain” and sparked widespread outrage on social media.

Kane later confessed to causing the animal unnecessary suffering and throwing her, while Doherty admitted the same but also pleaded guilty to “spinning the snake around” and causing her to suffer injury.

Fiscal depute Rebecca Clark said: “The snake’s owner, who had it for three years, kept it in an enclosure in his bedroom and noticed it was missing – but thought it was elsewhere in the property.

“It was 3am when the two accused were outside the Marischal Court block of flats and found it.

“Both were under the influence of alcohol at the time, and Doherty began filming the snake on her mobile phone and posting it on Snapchat.

“Kane then picked it up and threw it several feet across the road.

“The snake appeared to be moving in a distressed state and Doherty said ‘it’s real’ before before picking it up, spinning it around above her head and throwing it.”

A passer-by intervened at that point and handed Esmerelda in to the police, who gave her to the Scottish SPCA.

Ms Clark added that the 4ft snake was “regurgitating blood”, and “appeared to be convulsing in pain”.

She said: “The chief inspector described the animal as writhing about in agony, coughing up blood and clearly dying.

“The decision was made to humanely destroy the snake, which had severe internal injuries.”

Snake killer Frankie-Jane Kane from Aberdeen, Scotland — Frankie-Jane Kane

Kane’s solicitor maintained that his client did not realise Esmerelda was a live animal at first.

He said: “She though it was a fake snake, but quickly became aware it was real after picking it up and hearing it hiss at her.

“She should have placed it on the ground but she threw the snake through the air.”

Defence agent Tony Burgess said Doherty had lost her job as a result of the incident and is now “struggling to find her way back into employment”.

He added: “She accepts that her behaviour was completely reprehensible.”

Mr Burgess said the snake may have suffered some of her injuries when she escaped from her home and fell “from quite high up” on the multi-storey block.

Sheriff Aitken said he had “limited sympathy” for the teenagers, whose troubles he said were “nobody’s fault but their own”.

He added: “I hope it was drunken stupidity that led to this, rather than an underlying defect in your character. People do not like those who abuse animals.”

The Scottish SPCA welcomed the sentencing of Kane and Doherty but expressed disappointment that no order was imposed preventing them from keeping pets.

Scottish SPCA chief inspector John Carle said: “Although we are pleased to hear this sentence has been passed down we are disappointed a ban was not also imposed.

“Doherty and Kane caused cruel and unnecessary suffering to Esmerelda the snake.

“Treating any animal this way is despicable behaviour and the injuries caused ultimately contributed to the death of the poor snake.”

Sentencing: Kane was ordered to perform 80 hours of unpaid work in the next six months, and Doherty 120 hours. No ban on keeping animals was imposed on either of them.

Press & Journal

Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species

Cannock, Staffordshire: Craig Benton and Leigh-Ann Rowe

March 6, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | “lazy” pet owners Craig Benton, born 7 October 1985, and Leigh-Ann Rowe, born 11 October 1988, both of Jesmond Close, Cannock WS12 0JR – neglected and starved two dogs and two cats

Cannock couple Craig Benton and Leighann Rowe were said to be "too lazy" to feed their starving pets.

The court heard how the RSPCA were called to investigate after receiving a report that pets at the couple’s property were being neglected.

Inspector Nicola Johnson was sent to investigate and found an Inuit-type dog named Maya, who was described as a “walking skeleton”.

A veterinary examination later revealed she was at least 70 per cent underweight.

A labrador dog, Charlie, was also in the property but appeared to be in good bodily condition , but the home environment all the pets were kept in was said to be unsuitable.

Cats Mischa, and Beauty were also found to be severely underweight and had an untreated flea condition.

Inspector Johnson said: “Maya appeared to be a walking skeleton with fur on and it was lucky she was found when she was as she was so thin.

“The two cats were also extremely underweight and after they were taken into out care both put about 1.5 kilos to get to their expected weight.

“What I find so annoying about this case is there was plenty of pet food in the house. It just seems they were too lazy to feed the animals and they were left to get into this state.

“The labrador appeared in good bodily condition and it is believed he ate the food that was put down for the others as they were unsupervised.

“There is never an excuse not to feed pets – especially when there is food in the home and the extent of their weight loss would be so obvious.”

All the pets have since recovered and have been re-homed by the RSPCA.

In mitigation, the court was told that the couple said they didn’t realise that Charlie was probably eating the food left out for the other animals as they were fed in the same room unsupervised.

Sentencing:
Benton was fined £500 and a £30 victim surcharge while Rowe was fined £120 and a £30 victim surcharge. The pair were also ordered to each pay £250 costs. Banned from keeping cats and dogs for five years (expires March 2024).

Birmingham Live

Animal Abandonment, Birds, guinea pigs, Lifers, Multiple Species, Pet Profiteering, Pet Shops, rabbits, Reptiles / Exotics, Small Furries, Worst of the Worst

Kingston Upon Hull: Rebecca McHugh

March 6, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Rebecca Dawn McHugh, born 8 November 1981 of Boulevard, Hull HU3 – left animals to starve to death in her abandoned pet shop.

Hull woman Becky McHugh abandoned her pet shop, leaving numerous animals behind to die — Becky McHugh abandoned her pet shop, leaving numerous animals behind to die

Rebecca ‘Becky’ McHugh has been disqualified from keeping caged exotics, rabbits, reptiles, guinea pigs and caged birds for life, after a prosecution case brought by the RSPCA.

In January 2018, McHugh, who also breeds rats, was convicted in her absence of four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

The RSPCA was called to Hull Pets and Gardens on Beverley Road, Hull, in June 2018, almost five months after the shop closed.

RSPCA inspector Jilly Dickinson said: “The shop closed down in January, and I attended in June after energy suppliers entered to switch off the supply and found the exotics – it appears they had simply been left behind after the shutters had gone down for the final time.

“Five animals were alive, but only three of these – a corn snake and two bearded dragons – survived.

“The bearded dragons were underweight, and one of them had a horrendous burden of mites, leaving them unable to open their eyes, lethargic, anaemic and dehydrated.

“There was an underweight leopard gecko with long standing metabolic bone disease and subsequent current and historic fractures, and eye problems which were untreatable – meaning that they unfortunately had to be put to sleep.

“A Tegu lizard was described by the vet as being in the worst condition he had ever seen – completely emaciated, dehydrated and lethargic. The Tegu unfortunately didn’t pull through and died not long after coming into our care.”

The surviving animals were signed over to the RSPCA and have now been rehomed.

Sentencing: two-year community order including 250 hours of unpaid work; total of £385 costs and charges. Disqualified for life from keeping caged exotics, reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs and caged birds.

Hull Daily Mail

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Bradford, West Yorkshire: Lee Aveyard

March 6, 2019 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | Lee Mark Aveyard, born 6 June 1991, of Broadstone Way, Holme Wood, Bradford BD4 – kept a husky in a filthy cupboard with little food and water.

Convicted dog abuser Lee Aveyard from the City of Bradford, West Yorkshire. Pic: Facebook. — Bradford man Lee Aveyard was given a 10-year ban on keeping animals after locking a malnourished husky in a filthy cupboard

Aveyard’s emaciated dog, called Kenz, was found collapsed in his own filth inside the cupboard, which had been turned into a dog pen.

Bradford man Lee Aveyard kept a starving husky in a filthy cupboard that had been turned into a dog pen — Husky Kenz was found collapsed and emaciated in a filthy cupboard that had been turned into a dog pen

The father-of-three pleaded guilty to one offence of failing to meet the needs of Kenz by failing to provide a suitable environment and one of causing unnecessary suffering to him by failing to explore and address his poor body condition under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The RSPCA attended Aveyard’s home on 11 October, 2018.

RSPCA chief inspector Heidi Jenner said: “As soon as the inspector walked through the door to the property there was a strong smell of ammonia.

“She was stunned to see where Kenz was living. He was in a cupboard at the top of the stairs that had been turned into a dog pen with chicken wire and bits of wood, wedged in place with a cricket bat.

Lee Aveyard's dog was found collapsed and emaciated in a filthy cupboard that had been turned into a dog pen

“Kenz was collapsed in a pool of urine with his back legs sprawled out to the side and surrounded by faeces. There was no evidence of food or water.

“The smell was horrendous and even through his thick coat, which was stained yellow, you could see how skinny he was.

“He was unable to stand, and the inspector said that when she lifted him up by his harness it was like holding a shopping bag, he just hung there.”

Lee Aveyard from Bradford was given a ten-year animal ban after his husky collapsed in his own filth — Neglected husky Kenz was skin and bone

He was taken straight to a vets where he was found to be emaciated with his ribs, spine and pelvis all clearly visible.

He had pressure sores on his legs, the biggest one on his left hind leg measuring 2.5cm in diameter and 1cm deep.

He was also anaemic. He weighed just 13.7kgs, gaining 2.4kgs in three days. In four weeks he gained 8.8kgs taking him to 22.5kgs – a 64% increase in body weight. At the time of writing he weighed in at 34.4kg.

Lee Aveyard's abused dog slowly recovered from his horrendous ordeal — Kenz slowly recovered from his horrendous ordeal

Animal Centre Manager Jeanette Ainscough said: “Seeing Kenz now, it’s hard to believe that he is the same dog.

“His transformation has been absolutely amazing.

“Unfortunately, it hasn’t been without some big setbacks though and as a result Kenz isn’t ready to be adopted just yet.

“It was discovered that some metalwork that must have been put in his leg as a puppy had moved, causing Kenz to be in a lot of pain, so an operation was needed to repair that.

“We thought he might have to have it amputated but daily physiotherapy and weekly hydrotherapy from the brilliant people at My Vet Hydro has meant we’ve been able to avoid that. My Vet Hydro donate their services to us for free and we can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done to help Kenz, and others.”

Sentencing: 12-month probation order, with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days; five-month curfew order; costs and charges totalling £385. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years (expires March 2029). A deprivation order was also placed on Kenz.

Telegraph and Argus

Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species

Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne: Lee Kiernan and Ruth Lane

March 5, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Lee Kiernan, born 28 July 1987, and Ruth Lane, born 25 July 1985, previously of North Shields and as of July 2021 living together in Welbeck Road, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 3AA – for severe neglect and food deprivation of a husky puppy and a cat.

Animal abusers Lee Kiernan and Ruth Lane from North Shields neglected and starved a husky puppy named Missy and a white tabby cat named Cuddles

Ten-month-old husky Missy and white tabby cat Cuddles were found in the couple’s family home.

Old food was piled up on the floor and it was so high, RSPCA officer’s struggled to open the door to rescue the pets.

When they did, the puppy was so hungry she “rushed ” from her cage to eat some of the leftovers.

Husky Missy was skin and bone when the RSPCA rescued her from her callous owners Lee Kiernan and Ruth Lane of North Shields

The court heard how Kiernan told one RSPCA officer to “fuck off” before calling them a “cocky shit” for trying to check on the pets’ welfare.

But they were finally saved amid chaotic scenes at their home.

Inside there was “an overpowering smell of urine and faeces”.

“There were at least 20 flies swarming around the room,” said prosecutor Stewart Haywood.

“The smell was described by RSPCA officers as putrid.”

Eventually they found the pets, with emaciated Missy – who was skin and bone – the worse off.

“Missy had been forced to lie in faeces,” said the prosecutor, adding her coat was stained.

“She was not only starving, but was dehydrated.”

But over the next few months, both Lane and Kiernan gave the RSPCA the “run around”.

Rather than take responsibility, they denied owning them. Kiernan even claimed he was just a dog walker.

Eventually they admitted three charges each – but only after racking up £1,200 costs bill for the charity.

And while they may have to pay some of that, the court heard the duo – now of no fixed abode – would struggle to even pay for a bus to Bedlington due to their “strained financial circumstances”.

Lane already has a conviction for neglecting another dog.

But mitigating, Nigel Body claimed they were “the very last people” who should be jailed due to “the things they would learn”.

“They are an impressionable pair who were unable to cope,” he said, explaining the conditions.

“A period of custody, I don’t see how that would help them in any way.

“It is a regrettable incident, it is an awful incident.

“But these people need help.

“They are clearly a couple needing the intervention of the authorities.

“They are two people unsuitable for custody.”

The duo both admitted failing to ensure Cuddles’ and Missy’s welfare, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.

Sentencing | Both jailed for 24 weeks. No mention of a ban.

ChronicleLive
Daily Mail

Animal Torture, Birds, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Northern Ireland: Andrew Gildea and Darren Kincaid

March 2, 2019 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | Andrew Gildea, born 24/02/1995, from Larne and Darren Kincaid, born c. 1999, from north Belfast – filmed themselves torturing a seagull.

Andrew Gildea and Darren Kincaid from Northern Ireland filmed themselves torturing a helpless seagull for laughs on social media — Darren Kincaid (left) and Andrew Gildea subjected a panic-stricken seagull to a horrific ordeal for social media likes

Gildea and Kincaid lured a hungry Black Headed Gull they dubbed ‘Steven Seagull’ towards them using chips before bundling him into the footwell of Gildea’s car.

After driving the terrified bird around Larne and Belfast, parading him before friends and family, the pair took the gull to Gildea’s house and live-streamed several videos of them torturing the bird on Facebook.

The footage caused uproar among animal lovers online and they were reported to police before handing themselves in.

Appearing at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast, both men entered guilty pleas to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and will return later in March 2019 for sentencing.

Prosecution lawyers told the court several videos were uploaded to Facebook on June 11, 2018, over a two-hour span, detailing the bird’s ordeal.

In the first video, Gildea can be seen grabbing the bird and trailing it into the car, capturing it in the passenger footwell and putting up the windows to prevent its escape.

The court heard the bird was “flapping and clearly very distressed”.

Subsequent videos show the bird standing on a toolbox in Gildea’s garage being poked and teased and again clearly in distress before being trapped in a plastic box.

After surrendering to Larne police station, Gildea admitted enticing the bird with chips and livestreaming the videos, but said he never intended to cause harm to the creature.

Kincaid admitted being a passenger in the car and taking the bird to several addresses, but claimed to have experience handling pigeons and said he was aware of how to handle birds correctly.

He also told police he had drilled holes in the plastic box the bird was trapped in, so it would be able to breathe.

The court heard ‘Steven Seagull’ survived the ordeal after being released by Gildea and Kincaid, but district judge William McNallly was unimpressed with their antics.

Adjourning the matter so he could watch the video before sentencing the pair, he said: “I remember seeing a cat playing with a mouse and your behaviour reminds me of that cruelty.

“Playing with this bird is as cruel a thing as I have heard about in a long time. These are horrid videos with many views and I regard it as a very serious matter.”

Despite a backlash over his treatment of the bird on social media, Gildea continued to joke about ‘Steven Seagull’ for months after the incident on his Facebook account, with his friends exchanging jokes, news stories and memes relating to seagulls.

However, he did also post a message on Facebook expressing regret for the incident.

He said: “I’m probably the most kind-hearted person and I would do anything for everyone. Everyone I know would vouch for me being a nice guy. However I’ll only be ever remembered as the man who allegedly stole a seagull.”

Gildea and Kincaid faced up to six months in prison for the offence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and were due to be sentenced later in March 2019. Unfortunately there is no update on the outcome.

Belfast Telegraph

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Traveller Animal Crimes

Sunderland: Glenn A Foot

March 2, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Glenn Foot, born 5 November 1987, of Marley Crescent, Sunderland SR5 5BL – left his horse to suffer with a maggot infested wound

The RSPCA found skewbald stallion Raspy tethered on land near Wembley Road in Sunderland. Owner Glenn Foot was called to the scene, but refused to answer questions.

Police were called to supervise Raspy’s removal, but before a trailer could be loaded, Foot put his 12-year-old nephew on Raspy’s back and fled the scene.

Injured horse Raspy was left tethered by cruel Glenn Foot from Sunderland

Stewart Haywood, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said tethering Raspy was against welfare guidelines.

“In cases that a horse can be tethered, a broad leather collar should be used with a 360 degree swivel,” said Mr Haywood.

“The horse should also not be tethered near rights of way – there was a public path nearby – and the horse should be inspected at least once every six hours.

“Raspy had two nylon collars, one of which had caused the wound which became infected.

“A vet estimated the wound to be between two and five days old, “There were maggots and fly larvae in the wound.

“The RSPCA say the horse was subject to a prolonged period of neglect.”

The court heard Raspy and Foot were traced for a second time following a press appeal. Raspy’s injuries had healed by then, and Foot was allowed to keep him.

Convicted horse abuser Glenn Foot from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK — Convicted horse abuser Glenn Foot

Foot was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and f obstructing an RSPCA inspector in the execution of her duty, both on August 29, 2018.

Both convictions were in his absence after he failed to turn up for his trial.

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: “Mr Foot has dedicated much of his life to boxing.

“At the time of this offending he was preparing for a very important fight which would, had be won, led to great exposure and a remunerative contract with a promoter.

“He had been to a press conference to promote the fight on the day he was called to deal with Raspy.

“Unfortunately, the fight was lost, as were the associated opportunities.

“On the day he fled with the horse, he just panicked.

“The vet says the injuries to Raspy may have been only two days old. That is unpleasant, but it’s not a prolonged period of time.

“This is not a case of a man who leaves a horse to fend for itself for weeks or months at a time.”

Sentencing: 18-month community order; 300 hours of unpaid work; £455 costs. Banned from keeping equine animals for five years. The bench gave the RSPCA the power to seize Raspy if Foot still has him.

Northern Echo
Chronicle Live

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: March 2019