Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers

Benwell, Newcastle Upon Tyne: Lee Boyle and Dawn Nixon

August 23, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Lee Martin Boyle, born c. 1977, and partner Dawn Nixon, born c. 1980, both of 11 Pendower Way, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 6SN – allowed their pet dog to become so malnourished he couldn’t stand.

Animal abusers Lee Boyle and Dawn Nixon from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Lee Boyle was already banned from keeping animals for life following a conviction in 2006 alongside mother Alice Edgar and junkie brother David Boyle. That case involved the appalling neglect and starvation of a rottweiler named Bella, who had to be put to sleep due to her poor condition, and a crossbreed named Buster.

This time Boyle was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a Staffordshire bull terrier/American bulldog cross known as Troy along with his partner Dawn Nixon.

The RSPCA was called in to investigate after a witness spotted Troy looking so skeletal he was described as a “dead dog walking”.

Troy was severely neglected by Lee Boyle and Dawn Nixon from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK — Troy was so malnourished he was barely able to stand

The dog was emaciated and suffering from such bad malnutrition he was trembling and unable to stand, the court heard. He had wounds on his front paws, hip bones and on the back of his legs which were red raw and bleeding when he was found.

Boyle told RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws Troy had not seen a vet for two years.

And after examining the evidence collected by the RSPCA, vets concluded that Troy had been suffering from malnutrition and emaciation for more than five weeks.

The case against them had been proved in their absence after they failed to attend an earlier hearing.

In mitigation the court heard Boyle had been forced to leave the family home and Troy’s condition had arisen whilst not in his care. Nixon stated she could not look after Troy to the extent she would have liked to due to work commitments.

Sentencing the pair, District Judge Begley called it an “appalling case of cruelty”.

Inspector Keogh-Laws said: “It was heartbreaking to see the photos of Troy in such an awful condition when he was found. There is no excuse to allow an animal to get into such an appalling condition and not seek help.

“There is always help available for those people who need it and we encourage people to seek out this help to prevent animals suffering.

“Owning an animal is a privilege – but this couple’s failure to address the causes of Troy’s poor bodily condition meant that was clearly not appreciated in this case.”

Sentencing |
Lee Boyle: 24-week jail sentence, total of £225 costs and charges. New disqualification for life from keeping animals.

Dawn Nixon: 18-month community order including 200 hours of unpaid work; total of £285 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping animals for life.

ChronicleLive

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

Banbury, Oxfordshire: Emily Payne

August 22, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Emily Patricia Payne, who is also known as Emily Farmer, born c. 1985, of Manor Court, Banbury OX16 3JA – neglected two horses in her care

Banbury woman Emily Payne neglected two horses so badly that police had to seize them. — Emily Payne neglected two horses so badly that police had to seize them.

The RSPCA investigated the long-term neglect of a thoroughbred mare named Esp and a failure to meet the needs of a Welsh pony named Ruby.

A specialist equine vet performed a clinical examination of Esp and reported no clinical abnormalities, other than her having a very poor body condition.

The RSPCA rescued Esp and another horse from a Brackley field with empty hay troughs and water buckets

After being taken into care and given an appropriate diet, the horse’s weight rose from 454kg on August 31 to 482kg by September 12, leading the vet to conclude that the significant rise in body weight over such a short period of time, with no treatment other than dietary change, showed lack of food over several weeks was the cause of Esp’s emaciated state.

Ruby, a chestnut Welsh cross pony mare, was also rescued after being found to have overgrown hooves and untreated laminitis. Radiographs were taken and revealed excessive length of toe and rotation of the pedal bone, with chronic changes evident at the tip of the pedal bones.

The vet concluded that the pony’s needs were not being met due to pain from changes caused by laminitis, which should have been aided by remedial farriery.

Both horses were in a field that was bare with minimal grass, and empty hay troughs and water buckets.

RSPCA inspector Susan Haywood, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Cases like this are very sad as they could so easily be avoided. We hope it is a reminder that caring for horses is a huge responsibility and highlights the importance of ensuring their welfare.

“Wherever possible we offer advice and assistance to improve animal welfare, including giving people time to make improvements to their standards of care, however, despite advice from ourselves and vets, Payne continued to fail to provide appropriate care.”

Both horses have recovered while in care since they were rescued.

Payne had pleaded not guilty to offences last month but was convicted.

Sentencing | 18-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months; ordered to pay total of £1115. Disqualified from keeping equines for five years (expires August 2024).

Oxford Mail
LeicestershireLive

Birds, Cats, Multiple Species, Pet Profiteering, Pet Shops, Small Furries

Bordesley Green, Birmingham: Mohammed Nabeel and Nazar Hussain

August 22, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Nazar Hussain, born 28/02/1969, of Rotherfield Road, Birmingham B26 2SH, and Mohammed Nabeel, born May 1991, of Ludlow Road, Birmingham B8 3BY – for animal welfare offences at pet shop Bordesley Green Pet & Aquatics.

Pet shop operators Nazar Hussain and Mohammed Nabeel from Birmingham kept animals in appalling conditions and failed to treat their medical conditions

Nazar Hussain and Mohammed Nabeel, the respective licence holder and manager of Bordesley Green Pets & Aquatics based at 149 Bordesley Green, Birmingham B9 5EP, admitted multiple animal welfare offences at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

Hussain pleaded guilty to 12 charges under the Pet Animals Act 1951, the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, while Nabeel pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Mohammed 'Nabz' Nabeel was the manager of Bordesley Green Pets & Aquatics, but failed to look after the animals properly — Mohammed ‘Nabz’ Nabeel was the manager of the pet store but failed to look after the animals properly

The court heard how on 30 May 2018, Birmingham City Council’s animal welfare team received a complaint from the RSPCA about conditions at the licensed pet shop.

The team was unable to attend that day so an RSPCA inspector visited the premises and found a number of animal welfare concerns, including:

A cockatiel with an obvious injury to its wing, which later had to be put to sleep
Two budgerigars kept in a small, dirty cage
A female cat with mammary growths, another cat chained up in the back of the shop and a third cat kept in a small cage with no food, water, bedding or litter tray
Two large rabbits kept in a small, dirty cage with no water

The RSPCA inspector issued warning notices to manager Nabeel and instructed him to make numerous and immediate improvements, including taking the cockatiel and the cat with the growths to a vet for an examination.

A senior animal welfare officer from the council visited the shop the following day, accompanied by the RSPCA inspector, and found a number of breaches of the licence relating to cleanliness, size of accommodation for animals being too small, dirty drinking receptacles or no drinking water at all, no environmental enrichment provided and animals being housed in accommodation which did not minimise stress caused by other animals.

Hussain was subsequently advised of the failure to comply with numerous conditions attached to the licence issued to him for the premises. Hussain did not attend two interviews arranged and did not provide any comments. Nabeel was interviewed by the RSPCA officer but denied any wrongdoing.

District Judge Jan Jellema described the evidence as showing a ‘truly appalling picture of how animals were kept’ and that there was ‘scant evidence of any affection for animals’.

Councillor Phil Davis, chair of the council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This is an absolutely appalling case where the licence holder allowed the conditions in his pet shop to deteriorate. Animals were kept in truly terrible conditions while the manager was incapable of looking after the animals and caring for their needs. In the case of the cockatiel, this lack of care resulted in it having to be put to sleep on welfare grounds.

Sentencing: 10 weeks’ imprisonment for each offence, suspended for 12 months. Total costs of £5,600 between them. They were both disqualified from having custody of any animal for a period of 10 years. Hussain was also disqualified from keeping a pet shop for 10 years (bans expire August 2029).

Birmingham City Council

Birds, Dogs, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics, Serial Animal Abusers, Small Furries

Belfast: Phyllis Burns

August 21, 2019 misanthropic 7 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | Phyllis Burns, age unknown, of Rosapenna Walk, Belfast BT14 6GY – failed to seek vet treatment for her pony’s broken leg

Burns was banned from keeping animals for ten years after she was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony.

The charges under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 date back to 2015.

Burns’ crimes were uncovered when the Animal Welfare service attended a livery yard on the Colinglen Road in Dunmurry and found a pony suffering from a broken leg.

A vet said the leg appeared to have been broken for some time and the dressing was not the work of a veterinary qualified person.

The vet determined that the animal should have received veterinary treatment long before it was discovered, but unfortunately the pony had never been cared for accordingly. The council contracted vet concluded “it was apparent the pony had been left to suffer for some time with no veterinary attention.”

Sentencing: five-month suspended prison sentence. Ordered to pay costs totalling £600. Banned from keeping or having any involvement with animals for ten years.

4NI.co.uk

Update | December 2020

Following a second prosecution by Belfast City Council, Burns was convicted of five counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, and a further 14 of failing to ensure their needs were met.

Some of the dogs rescued from Phyllis Burns's filthy home — Some of the dogs rescued from Phyllis Burns’s filthy home

Belfast City Council officers, who had visited Burns’s home on October 2, 2017 to carry out checks, heard barking and detected a strong smell of urine coming from inside the property.

It was found she had rooms full of dogs, exotic birds, snakes and other reptiles who were in a severely dehydrated state.

An African grey parrot was found to be nearly bald while a tortoise could only drag its legs due to muscle wastage.

The charges involved six corn snakes, seven bearded dragon lizards, three tortoises, 12 chihuahuas. eight hamsters, five parrots and two love birds, amongst others.

Stairs in the house were covered in faeces while no food or water was available for the animals.

Many of the creatures were found to be living in dirty cages stacked on top of one another.

The court heard Burns had mental health issues and had been motivated by the fact that the animals were due to be put down and “took them in to avoid that”.

Burns received a seven-month suspended sentence and was banned from keeping any species for 15 years.

Irish News
Belfast Live

Dogs

Chelford, Cheshire: David Kent

August 21, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | David Kent, born March 1956, of Elmstead Road, Chelford, Macclesfield SK11 3BS – left his pet dog unattended in a hot vehicle for two hours.

David Kent was charged after police alerted by a worried member of the public found his three-year-old Cockapoo rescue dog panting for breath and in a distressed state in the boot of his vehicle on 31 May 2018 .

Temperatures outside were 68 degrees Farenheit (20C), but it is not known how hot it was inside the car itself.

Kent was tracked down shortly afterwards by the officer who told him: ”You should be ashamed of yourself – the dog thinks more of you than you do of him.”

The unnamed animal is now at home with Kent and his partner Mike Jehan.

Kent later insisted he had left a bowl of water with the dog and had left a window open by up to six inches.

He also claimed the man who reported him was homophobic and critical of his relationship with Mr Jehan. But police said there was no water left in the boot and the windows were down one inch.

Prosecutor Lucy Garside said: “Information was received by the police from a member of the public who had called the police to make them aware of a dog in the car which was distressed.

“An officer attended the location that day and he heard a dog. He approached the car which the dog was inside he could hear the dog barking from inside the vehicle.

“The rear of the vehicle had very dark, tinted windows but the officer could see the dog in the boot. The vehicle was parked in full sunlight, the rear passenger windows were open but only by approximately one inch on each side.

“He tried the driver’s side rear passenger door which as open, he used that to get into the boot of the vehicle. Immediately he could feel how hot it was inside of the vehicle, he saw a small dog.

“When he opened the door he could see that the dog was panting excessively and was physically hot to touch, he also noticed there was no water left in the boot for the dog.

“The call was made at 1pm and by the time the officer arrived it was 3.20pm – the dog had been left in the vehicle for over two hours in a distressed state. Information taken from the Met Office weather report showed the weather was sunny with a temperature of 20 degrees celcius for the time the dog was in the car.

“The basis of plea states that there was water left in the boot of the vehicle and the windows were down six inches. But the officer specifically says there wasn’t any water left in the boot and the windows were down one inch.”

Sentencing: fined £136, plus £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Manchester Evening News

Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Traveller Animal Crimes

Colnbrook, Slough: Jason, Cherylea and Albert Coates

August 20, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | backyard breeders Jason Coates, born c. 1975, Cherylea Coates born c. 1979, and Albert Coates, born 11 September 1988, all of Moreland Avenue, Colnbrook, Slough SL3 0LR – for shocking cruelty to the dogs and puppies in their care.

Slough backyard breeders Albert Coates, Cherylea Coates, Jason Coates — L-R Albert Coates, Cherylea Coates, Jason Coates

The Coates family, who are from the settled travelling community and run a skip-hire business, kept five dogs and two puppies in unsuitable conditions. The trio were prosecuted following a warrant executed at their home by Slough Borough Council’s resilience and enforcement team.

Neighbours had raised the alarm after hearing continuous barking and noticing the dogs were never taken out for exercise.

The luckier animals were rescued in time, but others had already died due to the Coates' neglect — The luckier animals were rescued in time, but others had already died due to the Coates’ neglect

Officers visited the family’s home in Moreland Avenue in December 2018 and found a shed in the front garden and two cages in the back garden.

One cage was home to two Jack Russell puppies and their mother who belonged to Albert Coates.

It was believed three puppies had already died and the surviving young dogs had to make do with unsuitable bedding and a lack of blankets in wintry conditions.

Their food and water was also found to be contaminated.

A Jack Russell cross Chihuahua, a Chihuahua and two Cocker Spaniels belonging to Jason and Cherylea Coates were also discovered.

The couple contested surrendering the animals and a court order had to be obtained while their nephew voluntarily surrendered his dogs to the care of the council.

All the dogs have since been rehomed and nursed back to health.

The trio appeared for sentencing at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday, August 9, 2019, after each admitted a charge of neglect under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Albert Coates admitted an additional charge of causing unnecessary suffering under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

All offences took place on December 18, 2018.

Sentencing: all were ordered to pay a total of £400 in fines, costs and charges and were disqualified from owning or keeping an animal for a minimum of two years (possibly expired).

Slough Express

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, bird trapping, Birds, birds of prey / raptor persecution, foxes, hedgehogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Other Mammals, Serial Animal Abusers, shooting estates, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Duns, Scottish Borders: Alan Wilson

August 20, 2019 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | gamekeeper Alan P Wilson, born c. 1958, of Henlaw Cottage, Longformacus, Duns TD11 3NT – killed dozens of wildlife on Longformacus Estate

Gamekeeper Alan Wilson from Duns in the Scottish Borders killed dozens of wildlife including protected species — Gamekeeper Alan Wilson from Duns in the Scottish Borders kept a kill list and dumped 1000 animals into a stink pit designed to attract birds of prey and other animals, which Wilson is suspected of shooting.

Wilson admitted nine charges including killing goshawks, buzzards, badgers and an otter.

The offences were committed on the Longformacus Estate in the Borders between March 2016 and June 2017.

The court ruled Wilson was responsible for the deaths of numerous wildlife, including protected species. Investigators found animal corpses including otters, badgers, foxes, birds of prey and more when they searched Henlaw Wood in 2017.

A captive eagle owl which the Scottish SPCA suspects was being used as a live lure on birds of prey who were subsequently shot and killed was also discovered at Wilson’s residence. In 2018, Wilson was fined £400 and banned from keeping birds of prey for ten years for failing to ensure the welfare of the eagle owl.

After an investigation which involved experts from the Scottish SPCA’s special investigation unit (SIU), RSPB and Police Scotland, Wilson was found to have used techniques including illegally set snares and unlawful items such as banned pesticides and gin traps to trap and kill wildlife.

A land inspection also found ‘stink pits’, where dead animal carcasses are left to attract other wildlife. These ‘stink pits’ were surrounded by illegally set snares. Animal remains, including mammal skulls, were recovered.

investigators believe Wilson slaughtered thousands more animals.

One source claimed he was hell-bent on killing “everything that moved” except game birds on the estate that were being bred to be shot by wealthy clients.

One kill list found in Wilson’s home catalogued 1,071 dead animals – including cats, foxes, hedgehogs and stoats.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the offences merited a jail term but he felt he was unable to impose one due to guidelines against short-term sentences.

“The sentencing options open to me at the moment do not reflect society’s views,” he added.

The court was told Wilson had pledged to no longer work as a gamekeeper and was now employed cutting trees.

Police welcomed the sentencing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court at the end of what they called a “complex inquiry” which had been a “large-scale” investigation.

“The illegal killing of birds of prey and protected species cannot, and will not, be tolerated, nor will the inhumane use of illegal traps and pesticides,” said Det Con Andy Loughlin.

An undercover Scottish SPCA investigator described it as a “despicable case of serious and systematic crimes to indiscriminately remove wildlife from an estate”.

“The sheer volume of dead wildlife discovered is truly shocking,” the investigator added.

“We will never know the total number of animals which perished due to Mr Wilson, though had it not been for the robust intervention of Police Scotland, the Scottish SPCA and our other partner agencies, many more would have suffered and perished.”

Sara Shaw, head of the Crown Office’s wildlife and environmental crime unit, said Wilson’s actions amounted to a “campaign of deliberate criminality”.

Duncan Orr-Ewing of RSPB Scotland called it an “absolutely appalling incident involving the illegal killing of a range of protected wildlife.”

Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture wildlife forensic scientist Dr Lucy Webster said the investigation had been an “excellent example” of partnership working to “bring a prolific wildlife criminal to justice”.

Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports, described it as “one of the worst wildlife crime incidents in recent years”.

A spokesman for the Scottish Gamekeepers Association said Wilson’s actions were “unacceptable” and “entirely out of step” with conduct it expected from its members.

He said Wilson’s SGA membership would be terminated immediately.

Sentencing: 225 hours of unpaid work; restriction of liberty order.

BBC News
Daily Record

Dogs

Knottingley, Wakefield: Shane Measor and Tanya Merrill

August 19, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

Animal abusers Shane Measor and Tanya Merrill of Knottingley, Wakefield, Yorkshire

Shane Paul Measor, born c. 1980, of Foundry Court, Knottingley, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and was fined £123, banned from keeping dogs for 12 months and told to pay £180 in costs.

Tanya Merrill, born c. 1986, of Buttermere Walk, Knottingley, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and was fined £40, banned from keeping dogs for 12 months and told to pay £80 in costs.

Source: Wakefield Express (article removed).

Update: we understand that this case related to a dog named Major who had an untreated skin condition. His owners claim they fell on hard times and couldn’t afford to pay for treatment.

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Blackburn, Lancashire: Scott Hibbert

August 17, 2019 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | Scott Anthony Hibbert, born c. 1997, of Redlam, Blackburn BB2 – launched a brutal attack on his own dog after she had been placed in a cage in the back of a police van.

Career criminal and drug abuser Scott Hibbert from Blackburn battered his dog in the back of a police van — Loser: violent thug Scott Hibbert from Blackburn can now add animal cruelty to his long list of criminal convictions

Blackburn magistrates heard lifelong violent thug and drug addict Hibbert repeatedly kicked and punched the dog – a Staffordshire bull terrier – before swinging her by the metal chain around her neck.

He then got hold of the dog with both hands and throttled her.

The court was told a female officer who witnessed the attack said it was the most “horrific” behaviour she could imagine towards an animal.

Hibbert, who despite his young age has multiple previous convictions for violence and intimidation, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two charges of criminal damage to cars.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the incident started at 8.30am on May 19 at an address in New Wellington Street, Blackburn.

Witnesses saw Hibbert leave the address and kick two cars. He was also seen to punch his dog before the police arrived.

“A witness said he was clearly heavily under the influence of something,” said Mrs Yates. “He was covered in blood and was placed in the back of the van with the dog. She said he was screaming in the dog’s face and she then witnessed the most horrific behaviour she could imagine.”

Mrs Yates said Hibbert punched the dog in the side, kicked it repeatedly and then swung it round by the chain.

“Just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse he picked the dog up by the throat and started to throttle it,” said Mrs Yates. “By this stage the dog, which had been agitated, was completely silent.”

The dog was eventually removed from the van.

“The officer said she had never seen such an aggressive act towards an animal in her career,” said Mrs Yates. “She said if that was how he behaved in public she couldn’t imagine how the dog was treated behind closed doors.”

When he was interviewed about the incident Hibbert said the officers were lying and he would never lay a finger on the dog. When the witness statements were read to him he told the officers to shut up.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client clearly had problems and could benefit from the assistance of the probation service. He said Hibbert had been drinking all night and had fallen out with his brother. As he left the house he kicked out at the cars in frustration.

“He has always tried to look after the dog as best he can,” said Mr Taylor. “It is a highly strung animal and matters were not helped when its owner was irate. What is certain is that it should never have been placed in the back of the police van with him.”

He said Hibbert was deeply ashamed of what happened next.

“He doesn’t have a clear recollection of the matter but he is deeply apologetic,” said Mr Taylor.

Sentencing: 12-month community order with 40 days of rehabilitation activity. Curfew. Total of £285 compensation and charges. Banned from keeping animals for three years (expired 2022).

Lancashire Telegraph

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Hartlepool, County Durham: Shaun Brown

August 17, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Shaun Brown, born 11 December 1990, formerly of Runciman Road, Hartlepool, and more recently of Brenda Road, Hartlepool TS25 1QH – member of a gang of badger baiters.

Shaun Brown was the driver of gang of badger baiters with the other members – Clint Dodd, Michael Dodd, Connor Pounder and Daniel Joyce – all sentenced last month.

Jane Chadwick, prosecuting, said that when police, alerted by a member of the public, arrived at the sett in Hovingham, west of Malton, Brown tried to drive off but crashed and was arrested walking away from the scene with his dog beside him.

A second dog called Brock, which his co-accused put down the sett, was badly injured.

The other members of the Hartlepool-based badger baiting gang: clockwise from top left Clint Dodd, Daniel Joyce, Connor Pounder and Michael Dodd

Brown pleaded guilty to digging for badgers, interfering with a badger sett, causing unnecessary suffering to Brock the terrier, careless driving, driving without insurance and without a licence.

District judge Adrian Lower told him he may not have actually helped dig up the sett, or put Brock down it, but he was part of the badger baiting.

“You cannot pretend that you didn’t know what everyone else was going to do when you arrived in North Yorkshire.

“Nearly everyone apart from you and your companions would think that such behaviour is absolutely appalling and involves nothing less than the attempted torture of an animal that cannot properly defend itself against men and a terrier.”

The district judge did not give Brown an animal ban. He said Brown’s dog was uninjured and did not appear to have been used for badger baiting, so he could keep her.

Sentencing | six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months on condition he stays out of North Yorkshire and doesn’t associate with any other members of the gang. Banned from driving for 12 months; ordered to pay £368.02 towards the costs of treating and caring for the injured Brock, a £115 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

York Press

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: August 2019