Equine Abuse, police horses, working equines

North End, Portsmouth: Derek Jennings

July 31, 2020 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2020) | football hooligan Derek Jennings, born c. 1967, of Laburnum Grove, Portsmouth PO2 0EU – punched a police horse on the nose then swung at her two more times

Jennings pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder after attacking police horse Luna before a local derby football match on 24 September 2019.

The court heard a police commander had noticed Jennings becoming aggressive towards officers and rival fans during the build-up to the match.

The officer riding Luna headed towards Jennings, who clenched his first and punched the horse on the nose. The mare shied away from the attack, but Jennings swung at Luna twice more before he attempted to run away. He was quickly arrested, however, and taken into custody

Luna was uninjured in the attack and able to remain on duty.

DCI John McGonigle of Hampshire Constabulary said: “For a grown man to act in this way was deplorable, especially against an animal, who was simply there to help protect people who wanted to enjoy the game and get home safely. We hope this sentence sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour or any disorder at any public event. Action will be taken and those responsible will be investigated.”

“We’d like to thank the public for the outpouring of support we received for Luna, it was very much appreciated,” he said.

Sentencing: 20 months in prison. Six-year football banning order.

Horse & Hound

Dogs, Hoarders, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics

Chichester / Littlehampton, West Sussex: Asha Jackson and Karl McLean

July 31, 2020 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | animal ‘collector’ Asha Jackson, born c. 1987, of Eastland Road, Chichester PO19 8AZ and partner Karl McLean, born c. 1985, of New Road, Littlehampton – for neglect of several dogs and a gecko in their care

Convicted animal abusers Asha Jackson and Karl McLean

The pair admitted the following charges all relating to a period in September 2019:

caused unnecessary suffering to a Jack Russell terrier-type dog and two crossbreeds, by failing to explore and address their poor bodily condition;
caused unnecessary suffering to a crossbreed dog, by failing to seek appropriate professional veterinary care to address an infected wound;
caused unnecessary suffering to a terrier-type dog, a collie-type dog and a crossbreed, by subjecting the animals to an environment that was detrimental to their well-being
caused unnecessary suffering to a gecko, by failing to explore and address his poor bodily condition.

Sentencing: Community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement; McLean must also carry out 80 hours of unpaid work; £90 victim surcharge, £150 costs each. No mention of a ban or deprivation order.

Bognor Regis Observer

Bestiality / Zoophilia, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Paedophiles / Sex Offenders

Borth, Ceredigion: Peter Bourne

July 30, 2020 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | Peter Bourne, born June 1987, of Cliff Road, Borth, Ceredigion SY24 5NN – sexually assaulted two horses with a paintbrush

Sick pervert Peter Bourne, who was caught on CCTV sexually assaulting two horses — Sick pervert Peter Bourne was caught on CCTV sexually assaulting two horses

Peter Bourne, who is a company director of holiday lettings business Cambrian Leisure Ltd, was caught on CCTV on September 19, 2019, approaching two horses – named Hannah and Urani – from behind, before sexually assaulting them.

Video footage then showed him sniffing the paintbrush he had used in the attack.

Bourne’s interference with the horses was confirmed by vets to have caused both animals to suffer unnecessarily.

Sexually abused horse Hannah, whose owners moved away following the attack

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: “Hannah and Urani are two horses who have been put through a horrific ordeal, which this individual must reasonably have known would cause them suffering.

“Fortunately, CCTV footage meant we could detect these crimes and take action.

“It must have been exceptionally distressing, too, for the horse’s owners to know a man targeted and interfered with these animals in such a manner. Thankfully, we have secured justice for the suffering these horses were caused by this man’s actions.”

The two horses have recovered from the incident and remain with their two owners.

Sue Neville, owner of Hannah, said: “This has been such an emotional time for me, and the whole family. It was such a disturbing incident, that was really the last thing we expected to happen.

“If it wasn’t for the RSPCA, we would have been completely lost. They have helped secure justice for Hannah; and have been supportive and amazing throughout.

“We’ve moved house on the back of this incident, to protect our horse. It’s caused us a great deal of anxiety and worry.

“Hannah was always such a friendly and trusting horse; but she is now nervous and anxious to strangers. We are just so relieved justice has been served.”

Urani’s owner Pippa Wells added: “It’s been a really difficult time for us – and this is certainly not something you’d ever expect to happen.

“Without the RSPCA taking this forward, we wouldn’t have secured justice for Urani. This has totally transformed my opinion of the work of the RSPCA.

“Fortunately, Urani is now fine – but this is obviously something no horse should have to face. Thankfully, a positive outcome was secured at court.

Sentencing: 150 hours of unpaid work; ordered to pay £390 in costs and charges plus £150 compensation to each of the two horse owners. Eight-year ban on keeping animals (expires July 2028).

LeaderLive
North Wales Live

Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers

Airdrie, North Lanarkshire: Andrew McPherson

July 27, 2020 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2020) | Andrew William McPherson, born c. 1982, of 20 Harris Place, Airdrie ML6 8FN – for starving and neglecting his two dogs over a prolonged period

Animal abuser Andrew McPherson from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland

Andrew McPherson admitted he failed to provide a nutritionally adequate diet or veterinary treatment for seven-year-old German shepherd Zara, and Bobo, a 16-year-old male crossbreed, resulting in the dogs’ welfare being seriously impacted and causing unnecessary suffering.

Scottish SPCA photographs of dogs neglected by Andrew McPherson from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland — Scottish SPCA photographs of dogs neglected by Andrew McPherson

McPherson pleaded guilty under Section 19 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering and for failing to provide veterinary treatment for the dogs.

He was fined and given a five-year ban on keeping dogs.

Scottish SPCA inspector Emma Sergeant said, “We are pleased McPherson has been handed a ban for this level of neglect.

“McPherson has been known to the Scottish SPCA since 2018. We have tried on several occasions to provide him with guidance and advice on how to care for his animals.

“After some improvement in the condition of Zara and Bobo following our initial intervention, we were frustrated and disappointed to see the deterioration in the dogs when we attended the address in September last year.

“The living conditions were dirty and cluttered, with piles of litter on the floor and household items stacked in other rooms, making them inaccessible.

“The dogs were severely underweight with both their hip bones and ribs visible. Their nails were also very overgrown, which would have caused the animals a lot of discomfort.

“During our visit, some dog food was accidentally spilled on the floor and the dogs were so hungry they began to fight each other for the food.”

Emma added: “On veterinary examination, it was established that the dogs had no underlying medical conditions and they easily put on weight while in our care.

“It would have taken months for the dogs to get into the condition they did. This did not happen overnight.

“McPherson clearly did not learn from past advice and intervention. Ultimately his two dogs were caused unnecessary suffering as a result.

“Providing an animal with a basic level of nutrition to stay healthy should not be a difficult task.

“We hope this sentence makes McPherson consider his ability to be able to look after any animal in the future.

“Thankfully, both Zara and Bobo went from strength to strength in our care and were successfully rehomed. They will now receive the love and attention they deserve for the rest of their lives.”

Sentencing | five-year ban on owning dogs (expires July 2025).

Daily Record

farms / smallholdings, Food Production, Worst of the Worst

Didcot, Oxfordshire: James and Brynne Backhouse

July 23, 2020 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | James Peter Backhouse, born 11 March 1980, and Brynne Sean Backhouse, born 6 December1965 of Ashdown Farm, Upper Hill Barn, Aston Tirrold, Didcot OX11 9DR – left sheep on their farm to suffer with maggot-infested feet and horrific injuries caused by chronic neglect

When local authority inspectors visited the farm of brothers James and Brynne Backhouse they found sheep with maggot-infested feet and animal carcasses improperly disposed of. One sheep was found to have had her eyes pecked out because she was left unable to move.

The Backhouses, who also operate a motocross business called Ashdown Track Limited, were sentenced for 16 animal welfare and farming standards offences.

Following an initial visit to the farm by officers from Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards Service, the two brothers were advised to seek veterinary help for their neglected sheep, however, when officers returned they discovered an illegal ‘dead pit’ where the men had disposed of dead animals.

James Backhouse with partner Sherrie Benning, who also lives on the farm

Prosecutors said that a number of the animals had experienced ‘unnecessary suffering’ and that minimal care was provided to them.

Detailing some of the neglect Kristiina Reed, prosecuting, said some sheep were found to have maggots in their feet eating at decomposing flesh.

A number of the animals were unable to stand and the court heard that some were in ‘significant pain’ from foot rot.

During an inspection the men were asked if they had treated the animals’ condition, called ‘fly strike’, and James Backhouse said ‘we never treat the lameness.’

Inspectors also saw five dead sheep visible in the field as well as the illegal ‘dead pit.’

One of the sheep, who was noted as being unable to stand on the first visit, was found to have had her eyes pecked out by the second day because she was unable to get up.

It was later revealed that the brothers had not kept appropriate medical records.

Prosecutor Reed described the neglect as ‘prolonged’ and said: “The injuries were allowed to develop and fester over a long period of time.

“The sheep sustained a high level of suffering from the injuries.”

Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £13,170 each. Disqualified from owning sheep for two years (expired July 2022).

Oxford Mail

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Widnes, Cheshire: Andy Smith

July 22, 2020 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | Andrew S Smith, born January 1982, of Mottershead Road in Widnes WA8 7LF – punched his American bulldog repeatedly during an attack on his partner

Animal abuser and woman beater Andy Smith from Widnes, Cheshire, UK

Father-of-two Andrew Smith rained down blows on the family dog, punching her 20 times as she barked and growled following a brutal 30-minute attack on his partner.

Unnamed victim of domestic abuser Andy Smith from Widnes, Cheshire, UK — The unnamed family pet targeted by violent brute Andy Smith

Smith had been on a Christmas night out with his workmates when he returned home drunk in the early hours of the morning.

He was heard shouting loudly by his girlfriend as she tried to sleep upstairs at their Trafford home.

A court was told how she initially left it – hoping he would quieten down.

She eventually ventured downstairs to ask him what the problem was.

Smith then told her to ‘call the police before something happens’, before threatening her.

Telling him to be quiet as she didn’t want their four-year-old daughter to wake up, he said: “I don’t give a f**k.”

His partner then went upstairs to call the police – only to be followed by Smith.

He then began hitting her to the face and body, and despite moving downstairs, the attack carried on for 30 minutes.

Their American bulldog was barking and growling at Smith, who then began to punch her ‘around 20 times’.

Smith pleaded guilty to assault by beating and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal,

In a victim personal statement read to the court, his partner said the incident made her feel ‘horrible and really guilty’.

She said: “I feel scared around him when he’s had a drink.

“I don’t want to be in a relationship with him anymore. I feel like a bad mum. I should have ended it a long time ago.”

Smith was said to have three previous convictions for seven offences, including offences of violence dating back to 2007.

Sentencing: 80 hours of unpaid work; 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement; £175 court costs. No ban on keeping animals was imposed by the court.

Mirror
Manchester Evening News

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Poole, Dorset: Christine and Clare Hawkins

July 20, 2020 misanthropic 10 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | Christine Jane Hawkins, born 30 September 1958, and daughter Clare Louise Hawkins, born 23 December1992, both of Dewlish Close, Canford Heath, Poole BH17 8AQ – failed to get veterinary treatment for a gravely ill elderly dog

Animal abusers Christine and Clare Hawkins from Poole, Dorset — Aspiring actor Clare Hawkins and her mother Christine Hawkins only received a five-year ban on keeping animals.

Crossbreed Honey was discovered collapsed and motionless at the home of Christine and Clare Hawkins by RSPCA Inspector Patrick Bailey, who described her as “the skinniest living dog” he had ever seen, with every bone in her body clearly visible.

The dog, whom her owners claimed was 19 years old, was rushed to the vets who identified a catalogue of serious health problems including kidney disease, dental decay and conjunctivitis. Her claws were overgrown indicating that she was never exercised. Horrifyingly her owners admitted they hadn’t taken her to the vet for 12 years.

Honey, who had been starved and neglected by her cruel owners Christine and Clare Hawkins from Poole, Dorset — The emaciated dog was motionless when discovered by an RSPCA inspector, who initially thought she had died.

Sadly she was too poorly to be saved and was put to sleep.

Now the Hawkins have been banned from keeping any animal for five years after admitting charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal over a three-month period in 2019.

Animal abuser Christine Hawkins from Poole, Dorset — Christine Hawkins

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Matthew Knight said records showed Honey had not been to the vet since 2007, adding “it was obvious this dog needed help”.

The dog had been with the family since she was a puppy. Clare Hawkins was, they said, aged around seven at the time when they first got the pet.

Graphic images were shown in court which showed Honey’s protruding ribs and pelvis bones.

Ben Schofield, mitigating on behalf of Christine Hawkins, said the mother had been struggling to accept that she allowed Honey to suffer.

“It was an incompetence by Ms Hawkins to not properly care for the animal,” said Mr Schofield.

Mark Price, mitigating for Clare Hawkins, said she broke down in tears when being interviewed and had tried to get help for Honey.

Before she contacted the RSPCA, she attempted to get assistance from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) but the charity said they needed to see proof of her mother’s benefit top-up before they could provide support.

Animal abuser Clare Hawkins from Poole, Dorset — Clare Hawkins

Mr Price said when Clare Hawkins got home from work one day and discovered the dog could not stand, she spent the night by her side. She spoke to a veterinary friend and they advised her to call the RSPCA.

“She did the best she could for the dog but in an incompetent way,” said Mr Price.

Magistrate Ian Kendall said: “The photographs say it all. Absolutely appalling treatment of a poor, defenceless animal.”

Sentencing:

Christine Hawkins: 120 hours of unpaid community work.
Clare Hawkins: 60 hours of unpaid community work.
Both defendants were ordered to pay £300 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.
Both were banned from keeping animals for just five years (expires July 2025).

Mirror
Bournemouth Echo

Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Splott, Cardiff: Anton Boston

July 11, 2020 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | Anton Marcus Boston, born 21 April 1994, previously of Habershon Street, Splott, Cardiff but as of late 2022 living at Heol Pant Y Deri, Ely, Cardiff CF5 5PL – convicted of illegal dog breeding and fraud

Anton Boston was prosecuted following a multi-agency investigation into his dog breeding business, Boston Bullies Wales (from December 2020 Boss Tonne Bullies).

In May 2019 Shared Regulatory Services, RSPCA and police officers raided Boston’s house and found six adult dogs and five puppies.

Boston did not have a licence to breed dogs and was breeding more than the permitted levels. Officers found two fraudulent canine passports but no paperwork at all for the other animals.

Illegal breeder Anton Boston from Cardiff with a cropped eared dog

Cllr Michael Michael, Cabinet Member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services, said: “Our officers were investigating Anton Boston for some time, due to the complaints that we received from a number of sources.

“While we were preparing our case for court, at the end of January this year, it was reported in the press that Boston had been targeted in an aggravated robbery at his house, where armed men entered his property demanding cash and stole one of his puppies. By that time, our case against Boston was continuing, and we knew that the business he was operating from his home was illegal.”

Cllr Michael continued: “At the request of the judge and the fact that a suspended sentence has been given in this case, we will be keeping a very close eye on Anton Boston to ensure he doesn’t breach any of the conditions of his sentence.”

Sentencing: 32 weeks’ custody, suspended for 18 months with a requirement to carry out 20 days of rehabilitation activities, as well as a 16-week tagged curfew. A forfeiture and destruction order was obtained for the passports and £350 costs was awarded to the Shared Regulatory Service.

Wales247

Additional Information

Boston’s alternative Facebook account (features dozens of dogs with cropped ears – screenshot below): https://www.facebook.com/anton.bostonbullies

Cardiff backyard breeder Anton Boston sells dogs with cropped ears on Facebook

Dogs, Traveller Animal Crimes

Bugle, Cornwall: Joe Orchard

July 10, 2020 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | Joe Orchard, born 28 June 1980, of Apondarose Minorca Lane, Bugle, St Austell Cornwall PL26 8QN – mistreated two Labradors and a terrier

Dog abuser Joe Orchard from Bugle, Cornwall — Dog abuser Joe Orchard

Orchard, who is from a notorious family of travellers based in Cornwall, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a suitable environment for three dogs and two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

The first charge related to December 16, 2019, when Orchard failed to ensure that the needs of black and white terrier Candis and Labradors Roxy and Lady were met.

Between December 1 and 17, 2019, Orchard caused unnecessary suffering to Candis by failing to investigate and address her poor body condition and weight loss.

Prior to December 16, Orchard caused Candis unnecessary suffering by failing to provide a suitable environment whilst she was of a poor body condition resulting in hypothermia.

The three dogs were removed from his care by the RSPCA and Orchard was banned from keeping dogs for two years.

Sentencing: a total of £580 in fines, costs and charges. Banned from keeping dogs for just two years (expired July 2022).

CornwallLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Grangetown, North Yorkshire: Michael Warren

July 10, 2020 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2020) | Michael Rodger Warren, born 20 June 1985, of Avondale Close, Grangetown, Middlesbrough TS6 9SD and with links to Guildford, Blackpool, Whitstable and Worthing – let a German Shepherd starve to death and left another with severe muscle wastage in squalid faeces-littered house

Dog killer Michael Warren from Middlesbrough, UK

The horrifying conditions in which two abandoned dogs were found by RSPCA inspectors — White German shepherd Bolt had already starved to death by the time RSPCA inspectors gained entry to Michael Warren’s squalid home, while his other dog Panther tragically stood guard over the corpse.

When RSPCA inspectors visited Michael Warren’s filthy home on June 27, 2020, they discovered the stricken dogs, Bolt and Panther. Very sadly, Bolt had already died from malnutrition while Panther had been starved to the point of emaciation. He weighed just 17.5kg, which is around half the weight of a healthy German Shepherd.

He had also suffered hair loss and was riddled with fleas.

When interviewed Warren was said to show “very little remorse” for what happened and “at one point he got up to make a cup of tea”.

Panther and Bolt, who were left to starve by Michael Warren — Panther and Bolt (white), who were left to starve by Michael Warren

Warren was charged with two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal but didn’t even turn up to his trial at the Magistrates’ Court.

Warren lies on social media about Bolt's cruel and preventable death — Shocking hypocrisy: Warren lies on social media about Bolt’s cruel and preventable death

He was found guilty in his absence and also appeared on Thursday 10 July 2020 to be sentenced for breaching a suspended sentence order relating to an offence he was sentenced for in 2019.

Nicci Horton, mitigating, said her client had a diagnosis of dyslexia, had attended special needs schools in his youth and was taken into foster care at the age of six.

Ms Horton told the court that the puppies were bred by Warren’s mother, prolific backyard greeder Lucy Koca of Redcar. In June 2018 Koca had given her son two of the puppies as a birthday present but when he tried to return them, she refused to take them back.

Ms Horton agreed her client had been “negligent” in his actions, adding that he had been mostly living at another address at the time.

Warren has six previous convictions for eight offences.

In January 2019 a court heard how he threatened to slit his ex-girlfriend’s throat.

Dog killer Michael Warren pictured outside court

Judge Jonathan Carroll told Warren: “You neglected these two dogs to the extent that one nearly starved to death and the other one actually did.”

He added: “You must have known that dog was suffering and you did nothing about it.”

The court directed that the surviving dog, Panther, be passed into the care of the RSPCA for rehoming.

Sentencing: 30 weeks in jail. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

GazetteLive

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: July 2020