Southmead, Bristol: Orla Gil-Henry

December 20, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Orla Gil-Henry, born 17 April 1980, of Shetland Road, Bristol BS10 5JW – starved her pet dog and deprived her of water.

Dog abuser Orla Gil-Henry from Bristol, UK — Orla Gil-Henry is banned from keeping dogs for five years.

Mother-of-two Orla Gil-Henry claimed she fed Staffordshire Bull terrier Niah three times a day but police found no dog food in the house and the dog also appeared to have been deprived of water.

Prosecutor May Li said police became aware of the neglect when officers attended Shetland Road on July 29, 2019, while dealing with an unrelated matter.

Cruel Orla Gil-Henry left Staffy Niah alone in the garden for long periods of time and also failed to feed her properly or give her water.

She added: “A neighbour approached the police and told them Miss Gil-Henry owned a Staffy in poor physical condition, and often left in the garden for long periods of time.

“The officers were also shown a photo of the dog which showed she was clearly emaciated.

“On that basis the officers knocked on her door and explained they needed to look at the dog.

“Miss Gil-Henry opened the back door and the dog Niah ran straight up to a baby bath on the floor, drinking from it furiously as if she had been deprived of water for some time.”

Police observed the dog was “very skinny”, with vertebrae, hips and ribs protruding.

“They asked if the dog was fed and Miss Gil-Henry said she fed the dog three times a day,” Ms Li continued.

“Officers couldn’t find any evidence of dog food in the house and were concerned that if she were being fed three times a day, a vet should be informed due to its condition.

“The dog was seized and taken to a vet who stated that a dog of her breed should weigh at least 22kg. Niah weighed 15kg.

“She was clearly suffering, malnourished and emaciated. If left in that condition, she would have continued to suffer.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order; ordered to pay a total of £335. Banned from keeping dogs for five years (expires December 2024).

BristolLive

Dogs, Lifers

Blackwood, Caerphilly, South Wales: Nicole Jones

December 19, 2019 misanthropic 20 Comments

#MostEvil | Nicole Mireille Jones, born 01/01/1990, of Brynglas Avenue, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood NP12 2DB – left her Husky dog to suffer in agony with multiple ailments

Dog abuser Nicole Jones from Blackwood in Caerphilly — Nicole Jones

RSPCA Cymru had been seeking to help Jones, and made multiple visits to her property related to the condition of eight-year-old husky Chad.

Husky Chad was put to sleep on humane grounds after being neglected by Nicole Jones — Husky Chad was put to sleep on humane grounds

Sadly, Jones failed to provide Chad – who ultimately had chronic ear infections and deteriorating physical condition – with the veterinary care he so badly needed. His skin condition was so bad that vets reported the skin “falling away” when touched. He had to be put to sleep due to the extent of his injuries.

Mother-of-one Jones pleaded guilty to an Animal Welfare Act offence of causing her Husky crossbreed to suffer.

Chad in healthier times before his cruel owner decided to neglect him

Gemma Black, RSPCA inspector, said: “RSPCA repeatedly tried to help this individual; but they did not ensure the dog had appropriate veterinary care to tackle Chad’s dreadful physical conditions and painful ear infections.

“Sadly, poor Chad’s skin got so bad that vets told us it was beginning to fall away when touched. There was simply no choice but to put this poor, suffering Husky crossbreed to sleep.

“This sad story is a reminder that people should always seek help if they are struggling to look after their dog. The inaction of Chad’s owner cost this dog dearly, and has led to her being banned from keeping animals ever again.”

Sentencing: 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. Ordered to pay a total of £565. Banned from keeping animals for life with the right of appeal after five years.

South Wales Argus

Update June 2020:

Nicole Jones was sent to prison after twice breaching the terms of her suspended sentence. Jones admitted stealing £175 of alcohol from Tesco in Ystrad Mynach on May 14, 2020, and shoplifting £275.50 of booze from Tesco in Upper Boat, Pontypridd, on June 13.

Police mugshot of dog killer Nicole Jones — Police mugshot of dog-killer Nicole Jones

Jones was jailed for 12 weeks for being in breach of the suspended sentence and given consecutive terms of 12 weeks and six weeks for the two thefts.

The total sentence was 30 weeks in prison and she was ordered to pay £50 compensation.

South Wales Argus

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales: Arron Dixon

December 19, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Arron Lee Dixon, born 26 January 1992, of Aberfan Fawr, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 4PE – neglected and beat his horses

Horse abuser Arron Lee Dixon from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

Arron Lee Dixon, owner of Dixon’s Removals & Clearances, was found guilty of a string of animal welfare offences relating to three ponies.

The father-of-one failed to provide a suitable diet and environment for the ponies, who were being kept at a site in Bryngoleu, and was even caught beating one of them.

Neglected horses owned by Arron Lee Dixon from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

All three animals – a grey gelding Welsh, a male skewbald native and a small male skewbald native – were found by RSPCA officers to be underweight and had little or no land to graze on or supplementary feed.

One skewbald pony was so underweight and in such poor condition that a vet said he had “suffered unnecessarily” while another pony had escaped from the field and was found grazing elsewhere.

On March 21, 2019, when RSPCA officers were carrying out a follow-up check on the welfare of the ponies, an officer also caught Dixon beating one of the animals.

The ponies were taken into the care of the RSPCA and were made available for rehoming.

Dixon, who runs a house and rubbish clearance business called Dixon’s Removals, was convicted of five animal welfare offences dating to February and March 2019. He had pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing but was found guilty in his absence.

An RSPCA spokesman said the charity had already given Dixon advice on horse care in February because the ponies had little or no land to graze. But when officers returned on March 21, Dixon hadn’t addressed the problem or provided supplementary feed and the ponies were underweight.

Flyer for Merthyr Tydfil horse abuser Arron Dixon's house clearance business — Violent horse abuser Arron Lee Dixon runs a house and rubbish clearance business

It was during this visit while waiting for a vet and the police to arrive, Dixon was caught beating the skewbald native pony.

Gemma Cooper, an RSPCA spokeswoman, said: “These ponies were grazed illegally on inappropriate land without supplementary feed, and therefore were not having their needs met and one was so underweight, vets found him to be suffering.

“We tried to work with Dixon previously but returned to the site to find improvements had not been made. One pony had even escaped the field and was subsequently found grazing elsewhere.

“Thankfully, we were able to rescue these ponies and offer them a second chance of happiness. All three have made an amazing transformation and are now available for rehoming.”

Dixon was found guilty of three charges relating to the weight of the animals, one charge for failing to provide a suitable diet and one charge for failing to meet the skewbald native pony’s needs to be protected from pain, suffering or injury by inappropriate handling and physical ill-treatment including hitting.

Sentencing | 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 20 rehabilitation days. 10-week curfew; £1,000 in court costs. Banned for five years from keeping animals (expires December 2024).

WalesOnline

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

Upper Tumble, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire: Thomas King

December 18, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Thomas Martin King, born 11 January 1970, of Waungoch, Upper Tumble, Llanelli SA14 6BX – left four ponies to suffer with overgrown and curling hooves.

One of four ponies found with painfully overgrown hooves

Thomas Martin King pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act in that he caused unnecessary suffering to a piebald female Shetland pony by failing to explore and address overgrown hooves resulting in her lameness and that he also did not ensure that three other ponies were protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease as shown by their overgrown hooves.

Following the case, RSPCA inspector, Nic De Celis said when he saw the ponies at Beudy Bach in Upper Tumble at the end of July 2019, he found their hooves were “extremely overgrown and curling.”

He said: “As I approached the group of ponies they began to move away, three of them were nodding and moving abnormally and then began high stepping as they picked up speed.

“However the fourth pony, a piebald, appeared to be in some distress and was unable to walk properly and could not keep up with the others. The pony’s front hooves had overgrown forward, were curled up and back on themselves and were rubbing the front of the pony’s front legs when she walked, causing them to bleed.”

The owner – King – was in attendance and had requested for a vet and farrier to be present who arrived at the location, with King keen for the ponies to be treated straight away.

“Once the ponies’ feet had all been trimmed and filed I advised the owner that he must ensure any follow-up treatment advised by his vet is administered and if there are issues he should contact his vet immediately,” said inspector De Celis.

Two days later inspector De Celis attended the location with a vet. One of the ponies appeared sore when walking and the owner was advised to liaise with his vet to provide some form of ongoing pain relief.

In mitigation, the court heard that the horses have been well treated since intervention and King had been remorseful.

Inspector De Celis added: “It is just so important to ensure that hooves are cared for – a simple phone call to a farrier much earlier could have stopped these ponies from any pain or discomfort.”

Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Ordered to pay £400 costs and a victim surcharge of £122.

South Wales Guardian

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Denny, Falkirk: Daniel McPhillips

December 18, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Daniel McPhillips, born 1 November 1993, of Beech Crescent, Denny FK6 6LL – strangled a King Charles spaniel, bound his head, neck, throat and legs with his lead and dumped him in the canal to drown.

Dog killer: Daniel McPhillips from Denny, near Falkirk in Scotland — Repugnant drug addict and dog killer Daniel McPhillips from Denny, near Falkirk in Scotland was sentenced to the maximum six months in jail and banned from keeping animals for five years.

Daniel McPhillips was given £20 to deliver a spaniel named Alfie to a vet to be rehomed. Instead, in an act of shocking callousness, McPhillips strangled Alfie and dumped his body in the Forth & Clyde Canal with his lead wrapped around his legs.

King Charles spaniel Alfie suffered a horrific death at the hands of vile Daniel McPhillips

The heroin addict then lied to the dog’s original owner, Tammy-Lynn Burgoyne, stating by text he had taken the dog to the vet so he could be re-homed. Ms Burgoyne later discovered the truth after Alfie’s body was discovered in the canal and reported the matter to the Scottish SPCA.

McPhillips appeared from custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court having been arrested for his non-appearance on an earlier date. He denied asphyxiating the dog and dumping him in the canal in September 2018.

A Scottish SPCA investigator told the court that McPhillips had avoided her telephone calls and appeared reluctant to meet with her.

An associate of McPhillips then gave evidence, stating McPhillips had actually admitted to him he had killed the dog, telling him “I didn’t ken what else to do with it.”

Giving evidence himself, McPhillips stated Alfie had escaped while he was walking with him in the woods and he could not get him back. He said he texted Ms Burgoyne and lied, telling her he had safely delivered the animal to the vets.

After considering all the evidence, Sheriff Christopher Shead found McPhillips guilty and told him a prison sentence was a real possibility.

When McPhillips re-appeared in court for sentencing, his solicitor, Mark Fallon said his client now “regrets the harm he caused”.

Mr Fallon added: “He is addicted to crack cocaine, and the offence was committed having taken heroin and Valium.”

Sheriff Christopher Shead said it was a “grave contravention” of animal cruelty laws.

Imposing the six-month jail term he added: “The repugnant nature of this offence is such that a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal.”

McPhillips showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.

Evil dog killer Daniel McPhillips from Denny, Scotland

Commenting on the case, a Scottish SPCA undercover SIU officer said: “This is a truly shocking case of animal cruelty. Rather than taking Alfie to the vet, McPhillips instead decided to kill him and pocket the cash.”

“Numerous people contacted our animal helpline to identify McPhillips as the perpetrator when Alfie was discovered in October 2018 and two witnesses told us he’d openly admitted to the crime.

“McPhillips ignored our repeated attempts to engage with him and he failed to turn up for two trial dates, which meant warrants were issued for his arrest.”

The SIU officer added: “It is hard to comprehend how tragic Alfie’s death was. As well as the trauma to his neck, he also had injuries to his front legs where he’d been trying to escape the bindings. Alfie was caused unimaginable unnecessary suffering due to the actions of McPhillips.”

Despite his conviction for a sickening act of cruelty towards a sweet, trusting dog, McPhillips’ hapless girlfriend Evie Marie Mackenzie appears to be standing by him.

Sentencing: six months in jail. Banned from owning or keeping animals for five years (expires December 2024).

Scottish Sun
BBC News

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire: Elisabeth Steel

December 17, 2019 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2019) | Elisabeth Steel, born c. 1975, of Methven Avenue, Kilmarnock KA1 – gagged her pet with duct tape to go on holiday for the weekend

Convicted dog abuser Elisabeth Steel from Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK — Elisabeth Steel outside court

Elizabeth Steel abandoned collie cross Rio without adequate food or water after covering his face with a taped-on muzzle so he could not bark.

Steel’s neighbours alerted police after hearing the animal whimpering and spotting him through a window. Officers forced entry and found the dog barely moving and in very poor condition. He was infested with fleas, suffering from sores and an untreated skin infection.

Callous Elisabeth Steel left her ailing collie cross Rio with his muzzle taped up and with no food or water for two days.

Steel admitted causing unnecessary suffering by taping a muzzle to the dog’s face, denying him food, water or a means of escape, and failing to provide adequate care and treatment between 18 and 19 July, 2019.

Blaire Ford, prosecuting, said an upstairs neighbour could hear whimpering below and knew Steel had left the day before for a weekend away.

Miss Ford added: “He looked through the kitchen window and observed the dog locked within the kitchen with a muzzle on, which was wrapped with black tape, and noted that there was no food or water.”

The man called the Scottish SPCA, which was unable to respond initially, before contacting police the following day. Officers broke in using a battering ram after seeing Rio lying motionless.

Miss Ford said: “The dog was alive and had begun to move around and police noted there was no food or water in the dog bowls.

“The dog was wearing a muzzle wrapped in black tape and had a collar on which was too tight.”

Rio was taken to a vet for treatment, found temporary refuge and has since been re-homed.

Sheriff Watson told Steel: “On reading the terms of the report I am persuaded you are a foolish person who has behaved disgracefully towards the animal, but not with a cruel intention.

“You are clearly not a suitable person to own or have charge of an animal for the long-term.

“You and animals will not be coming close for the near future.”

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Whilst we always look for a lifetime ban on keeping animals in cases of neglect like this, we are pleased the accused has received a 15-year ban.

“We hope Steel will seriously consider her ability to care for any other pets in the future.”

Sentencing: 80-day tagging order; 18-month supervision order. 15-year ban on keeping animals.

BBC News
Daily Record

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

South Shields, Tyne and Wear: Natasha and Cameron Bell

December 16, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2019) | Natasha ‘Tasha’ Bell, born 22 August 1982, of Bonsall Court, South Shields NE34 0HT, and son Cameron J Bell, born 9 January 2001, of Bamford Walk, South Shields NE34 0JA – for the neglect of two horses, one of which had to be euthanised.

Horse abusers Natasha Bell and son Cameron Bell from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK — Tasha Bell and son Cameron Bell caused unnecessary suffering to two horses including this one

Mother and son Natasha and Cameron Bell admitted causing unnecessary suffering to horses Porky and Chalky and failing to meet their needs.

The animals were discovered tethered to trees in Boldon Colliery in January 2019.

Horse abusers Natasha Bell and son Cameron Bell from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK, pictured outside court — Horse abusers Cameron and Natasha Bell pictured outside court

Porky had collapsed and had to be put down because he was unable to recover.

Both ponies had a poor body condition and were found to have heavy worm burdens. It was said they could have been suffering for at least six months.

Horse abuser Cameron Bell from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK

RSPCA prosecutor Stewart Haywood told the court how the ponies had been inappropriately tethered, were not kept in a suitable environment and had “inadequate dietary provision”.

He said an RSPCA inspector arrived at some open public land in South Tyneside on January 24, 2019, after a report of a collapsed pony.

“This pony turned out to be Porky,” said Mr Haywood. “The inspector made attempts to stand it up. It was in a poor condition and tethered inappropriately to a tree that was on a slope.

“A vet came and further attempts were made for Porky to stand. However the only course was euthanasia.

“The police also attended and euthanasia was carried out.”

The prosecutor told the court that Chalky was found in the same area, also tethered and underweight.

Further examination revealed that Porky was thin and had a worm infestation, and the animal had “lack of muscle and body strength”.

Meanwhile, Chalky’s tether had been too tight and the animal also had a high worm burden.

Mr Haywood added: “The ponies were suffering for several reasons. They had inadequate provision of water and a poor body condition.

“The environment was hazardous and there was a risk of injury. The tight tether of Chalky would have caused discomfort.

“This is a case of horses that were clearly suffering significantly.”

Solicitor Valerie Bell, representing both defendants, said the horses were owned by Cameron and his mum played a smaller role in their care.

She said Natasha Bell had suffered significant mental health problems for many years and was receiving medication. A psychiatric report explaining her background was prepared for the court.

It was said Natasha’s “mental health had deteriorated during the commission of these offences”.

Their lawyer added: “Both are genuinely remorseful and very distressed about the whole background that has led to this.”

Sentencing |
Natasha Bell – 12-month community order with rehabilitation activities, £60 fine plus costs.
Cameron Bell – 12-week prison sentence suspended for a year; 80 hours of unpaid work plus rehabilitation activity requirement; ordered to pay costs.
Both were banned from keeping horses for 10 years.

ChronicleLive

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

Fleetwood, Lancashire: Jack Starkey

December 16, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | badger digger/baiter and bloodsports fanatic Jack Starkey, born 12/10/1990, of Bold Street, Fleetwood FY7

Badger baiter Jack Starkey from Fleetwood, Lancashire, UK

Father-of-two Jack Starkey admitted two offences under the Protection of Badgers Act and one under the Animal Welfare Act.
He was due to stand trial for a number of offences under both Acts but pleaded guilty before the trial was set to commence.

Starkey was caught badger baiting in Bluebell Wood in Denton, Greater Manchester on January 3, 2019.

Two dog walkers came across Starkey and three other men digging a badger out of its sett. The men then let a dog attack it.

The walkers called police and a local animal welfare group, who found the badly injured badger.

The badger that was attacked by Jack Starkey's dog — The badger that was attacked by Jack Starkey’s dog

Sadly, the badger’s injuries were so serious he couldn’t be saved.

The following day, Chris Heyworth, an officer from the Special Operations Unit – a team of specialist officers tasked with investigating serious and organised animal crime such as animal fighting and wildlife offences – was contacted by Lancashire Badger Group who had been made aware of the incident.

Inspector Heyworth went to the scene, which was located just 70 yards from a road.

He said: “Unfortunately I’ve seen many disturbed badger setts and examples of badger digging in my 28 years as an RSPCA officer and it was clear this sett had been recently dug.

“In badger digging, a terrier is typically sent into the sett wearing a tracking collar and will corner the badger so the people above ground can dig them out.

“A large hole is dug – commonly referred to as a crowning point – and the badger is pulled out often by a large bull lurcher type dog.

“A seriously injured badger was discovered at the scene the previous day and taken to a vet but, sadly, had to be put to sleep due to the severity of the wounds.”

Information led to a suspect and the RSPCA approached Lancashire Police for assistance executing a warrant on February 12, 2019, at an address in Hodder Avenue, Fleetwood. Three dogs were found inside, two with extensive scarring and one with an open sore on his leg.

Occupants at the address said the dogs belonged to Starkey and he was contacted for interview.

Inspector Heyworth added: “We took DNA swabs from the badger’s wounds and these were later compared with DNA taken from the three dogs seized from Mr Starkey.

“Two were ruled out but results showed that a rare type of DNA – found in only one in 100 dogs – which was found on the badger was also present in the third dog.”

Starkey was charged with offences of attempting to kill a badger, digging a sett and causing suffering to one of the dogs in his care.

Starkey, who has links with the travelling community, eventually pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

The dogs remain in RSPCA care and will now be rehomed.

Inspector Heyworth added: “I’d like to thank Lancashire Police, Lancashire Badger Group, High Peak Badger Group and Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) for their assistance.

“It will send out a message to those who continue to persecute badgers within the county and further afield.”

Sentencing: 16-week suspended jail term; 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 hours of rehabilitation activity. Ordered to pay £1,115 costs. Banned from keeping dogs for eight years.

Blackpool Gazette
Lancashire Telegraph

Equine Abuse, horse traders, horses and ponies, Traveller Animal Crimes

Hailsham, East Sussex: Leonard Jones

December 15, 2019 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2019) | horse trader Leonard Jones, born c. 1966, of Butts Field, Hailsham BN27 2BZ – for the severe neglect of a piebald mare.

Leonard Jones is now banned from keeping animals for five years following his conviction for horse neglect. — Leonard Jones, who is from a notorious family of travellers, is now banned from keeping animals for five years following his conviction for horse neglect.

Leonard Jones was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a horse by failing to provide adequate or any parasitic control.

The offence took place at Hailsham between February 26 and December 28, 2018.

He was also found guilty of a further charge of causing unnecessary suffering to the piebald mare by failing to investigate and address the animal’s poor body condition and health.

Sentencing: 24 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Six-month curfew. Ordered to pay £1,250 in costs. Banned from keeping or owning any animal for five years (expires December 2024).

Sussex Express

Birds, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Greenbank, Plymouth: Rhys Anderson

December 14, 2019 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED | Rhys Anderson, born c. 2000, of Kensington Road, Greenbank, Plymouth PL4 – launched a sadistic attack on a herring gull chick causing the baby bird to lose his leg

Plymouth teenager Rhys Anderson launched a cruel and violent attack on this helpless herring gull chick.

In July 2019 Rhys Anderson caught a seagull chick, and proceeded to throw him in the air, kick him, and then beat him with a broomstick. Anderson and an as yet unidentified accomplice were caught on CCTV laughing manically as they attacked the helpless birth.

The badly injured chick, who has been named Hoppit, was taken into the care of Athena Wildlife & Bird of Prey Care (Rehab) – Plymouth. Although Hoppit’s broken leg had to be amputated he appears to be coping well.

Sadistic animal abuser Rhys Anderson from Plymouth, UK — Rhys Anderson

Anderson pleaded guilty before city magistrates to hurting the herring gull chick in Plymouth on 10 July 2019.

Sentencing: 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work. Completion of a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and thinking skills course. Ordered to pay £250 compensation to Athena Wildlife & Bird of Prey Care.

PlymouthLive

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: December 2019