CONVICTED (2020) | Graham Nash, born 15/10/1981, of 2 Penn Mews, Braintree CM7 2TQ, and Paul Cassell, born 23/12/1964, of 7 Warrenside, Braintree CM7 1TG – caught on camera kicking a dog and swinging him by his paw
Graham Nash, Panda, and a still image from the shocking video footage showing the dog being mistreated
Graham Nash – a prolific backyard breeder – and Paul Cassell were both filmed kicking friendly bull mastiff cross boxer Panda during an argument.
Both men admitted causing unnecessary mental or physical suffering to an animal.
The court was shown footage of the two men outside an address in Braintree.
Paul Cassell
The dog walks towards a parked car and Cassell proceeds to kick him in the face.
Nash, who was Panda’s owner, comes out of the house shouting. He then kicks the dog in the rear and swings him towards the house by his front paw.
The RSPCA attended the location with the police and took Panda into their possession and then placed him into care where he is now doing well.
A vet who examined the footage said Panda’s body attitude when first seen on the video was one of fear with his ears back, tail between the legs and his back arched.
Nash with Panda and another dog called Lady. Her fate is unknown.
RSPCA inspector Jessica Dayes who investigated the incident said: “The footage was extremely concerning. The dog appeared in the video fearful and the vet report stated this was an unacceptable way to discipline or train a dog and would have caused unnecessary suffering.”
Sentencing: Cassell – 18-month community order with 25 rehabilitation days and an eight-week curfew. Ordered to pay £695. Disqualified from keeping dogs for three years.
Backyard breeder Nash – 30 rehabilitation days and 150 hours of unpaid work; £695 in costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping dogs for three years.
CONVICTED (2020) | backyard breeders Elizabeth May Weeks (since deceased), born 24 May 1953, and her son Douglas Weeks, born 26 December 1995, both of 182 Kendale Road, Bridgwater TA6 3QQ plus daughter Annette Weeks, born 21 January 1991, of Lords Way, Bridgwater TA6 3SF – failed to look after a litter of Staffordshire bull terrier puppies
Dougie Weeks and sister Annette Weeks were convicted of animal cruelty alongside their mother Elizabeth May Weeks
The seven neglected puppies, all of whom had scarring and other injuries caused by fighting with each other, were found in a house smelling of animal waste
Now, those responsible – backyard breeder and repeat offender Elizabeth Weeks along with her son Douglas and daughter Annette Weeks – have been banned from keeping animals following an RSPCA prosecution.
One of the rescued puppies
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel was called to an address in Bridgwater on January 30, 2020, after concerns were raised about the welfare of dogs at the property.
She said: “I went into the living room which was dark with curtains drawn and little natural light. There was a very strong unpleasant smell in this room of stale urine and faeces.
“There were bare floorboards and these were heavily soiled with urine and faeces.
“There were eight dogs in this room – seven juveniles and one adult dog. Some were swarming and barking around me and occasionally snapping and growling at each other.
“It was immediately apparent that many of the dogs were in very poor bodily condition with easily seen ribs, spine and pelvis. They also had obvious scarring and scabs, especially over their faces.
“Several of the young dogs were subdued and appeared very submissive. There was no food or water available to the dogs in this room.”
The puppies were rushed to a vet who examined them and discovered that all of the younger dogs were suffering and underweight as a result of their inappropriate or insufficient diet.
The vet said the dogs were suffering due to their hunger.
Rescued puppy Twiglet has since recovered from his ordeal and has been rehomed along with his brothers and sisters
They also discovered that they all had evidence of injuries from fighting with each other which would be causing them unnecessary pain and that the overcrowded conditions that the dogs were living in did not allow them to exhibit their natural behaviour.
The adult dog, who was in better condition and unlike the rest of the dogs did not have injuries, was found to have not had his needs met.
Elizabeth Weeks, who was in breach of an existing animal ban, was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £300 in costs and £122 victim surcharge. She has to complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and has been disqualified for 10 years from keeping all animals, which she can not appeal for five years.
Douglas Weeks was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £300 costs and £122 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to complete 35 days rehabilitation activity requirement and disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years, which he can not appeal for five years.
Annette Weeks was disqualified from keeping dogs for three years, which she can not appeal for two years. She was also fined £60 and ordered to pay £100 in costs plus a £32 victim surcharge.
All the dogs have since recovered in the care of the RSPCA and have all found new homes.
CONVICTED (2020) | Christina Maria Lines, born c. 1980, of Bengore Gardens, Larne BT40 2AW – neglected two dogs and failed to get treatment for their health conditions
Christina Lines and Jack Russell cross Odie, whom she had left to suffer with a painful skin condition
In an animal welfare prosecution case brought by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, part-time teaching assistant Christina Lines pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a Pomeranian called Poppy and a Jack Russell cross known as Odie.
Poppy had a ten centimetre diameter tumour growth on her abdomen. This was rupturing and required emergency surgery. Her nails were grossly overgrown due to lack of wear and fleas were found on her coat.
The breed of the second dog, Odie, was at first difficult to determine as he was suffering severe chronic hair loss and his entire body was affected by a skin condition known as Lichenification. This condition, which is marked by thick, blackened skin similar to that of an elephant, is allergy-based and often caused by fleas.
Pomeranian Poppy’s nails were massively overgrown due to a lack of wear
Both dogs were taken into the Council’s possession and given the necessary treatment. The examining vet concluded that both of these dogs were suffering.
Lines’ lawyer told the court that his client needed some “re-education”, adding that she had been treating the dogs’ conditions with homeopathic remedies none of which had been prescribed a vet. He said this was due to financial constraints.
Worryingly, the defence lawyer told the court that his client and her 17-year-old son have gone on to acquire two new dogs. Lines’ financial situation was said to have improved. She had also taken out pet insurance and engaged the services of a behavioural therapist and dog walker.
The court heard there had been kenneling and veterinary costs of £2,109 and the defence lawyer said that was because of delays in the case caused by the pandemic. There were also legal costs of £400 and court costs of £152 and the lawyer said the defendant was not in a position to pay it all.
The defence lawyer said if his client was banned from keeping dogs it would send out a message to the public that “if you re-educate yourself and make progress during the course of a council investigation it will bear no fruit”.
He said the defendant was “quite distraught” at the prospect of having her current dogs taken from her.
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer imposed financial penalties totaling £500, and ordered the defendant to pay £500 towards Council’s veterinary and kenneling costs and £400 towards legal costs.
An application by Council to disqualify the defendant from keeping of animals was refused by the Court.
The Council said the dogs removed from Lines’ care were successfully rehomed.
Sentencing; £900 towards costs. No ban or other penalties.
CONVICTED (2020) | Dean Brereton, born c. 1988, and Chelsea Jayne Neely (aka Chelsea Hunter), born August 1992, both of Sinclair Avenue, Orford, Warrington WA2 9QY – for the prolonged neglect of an Akita dog, causing him “horrific suffering”
Chelsea Neeley and Dean Brereton
Brereton and Neely, who have four children, were charged with a number of offences against the dog, known as Ace.
The pair failed to provide Ace with prompt and adequate veterinary care for a range of conditions and illnesses. These included limb weakness, a loss of appetite, weight loss, underweight body condition, incontinence and a soiled coat, which led to immobility and flystrike.
According to the RSPCA, Ace had been subjected to long term suffering with emaciation from March until May, 2020, while he suffered with flystrike and limb weakness between May 4 and 8, 2020.
The dog is believed to have been euthanised on humane grounds. There are allegations that the couple are responsible for the death of a second dog albeit not yet prosecuted.
Sentencing: 18-week prison sentence. Both are disqualified from owning animals for 30 years.
Dean Brereton is a self-employed landscape gardener. He has traded under various names including D&N Allscapes, Best Gardens & Property Maintenance Warrington and, currently, Luxury Landscapes.
Brereton and Neely have gone their separate ways and both have new partners. The latter is now married and known as Chelsea Jayne Hunter.
CONVICTED (2020) | Richard John Kelly, born 3 July 1990, of 29 Merkins Avenue, Bellsmyre, Dumbarton G82 3EA – kept two dogs and three cats in filthy conditions and was violent towards at least one dog.
Police and inspectors from the Scottish SPCA attended Kelly’s home after receiving reports that he had kicked his pet dog.
Alasdair Millar, prosecuting, said: “On entering, they found living conditions to be appalling. They were immediately hit by an overwhelming smell of faeces and urine.”
The prosecutor said each room was dirty and unkempt. There was faeces on the floor, ripped carpet and “tens of dozens of flies”.
Kelly was caught after he ignored a court order barring him from going to see his ex. That non-harassment order (NHO) had been put in place for three years in December 2019 after Kelly emailed the woman threatening to slit her throat.
But on September 13, 2020, the woman was at home when Kelly turned up for an offer of a kitten from a cat’s new litter. He was allowed inside the home and stayed the night, playing computer games.
But both Kelly and his ex spent the following day drinking, and at 6.15pm, they got into a verbal argument.
Mr Millar told the court that Kelly had left the property. He was holding on the lead of one of his dogs when he ran off.
A witness heard the dog yelping and saw Kelly in the yard with the dog cowering in the grass. Kelly then proceeded to kick the dog.
When the witness shouted for Kelly to stop, he replied: “F*** sake, I’ve only hit him once.”
Kelly was traced by police the next day and the SSPCA checked on the welfare of the animals.
Sheriff William Gallacher said he was “anxious” about whether Kelly could comply with a community payback order (CPO).
He said: “These are very serious matters. That [non-harassment] order remains in place. You must have nothing else to do with her.
“Your treatment in relation to animals is horrifying. To hit any animal because you have had too much to drink will not do.”
The sheriff added: “If you break any of these orders, you will end up in custody for a long time.”
Kelly’s progress will be reviewed on February 3, 2021.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre told the Reporter: “We can confirm that we assisted Police Scotland to ensure the welfare of the animals involved.
“They are now at one of our rescue and rehoming centres receiving the care they need.”
Sentencing | 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months. Two-year social work supervision order. Banned from owning any animal for three years (expired November 2023).
CONVICTED (2020) | Caithlin ‘Katie’ Fitzpatrick, born 18/07/1995, of 95 Aldervale, Tullygally, Craigavon BT65 5AX – starved and neglected her dog
Katie Fitzpatrick and the dog she neglected and starved
Caithlin Fitzpatrick was guilty of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of her unnamed Jack Russell terrier.
Fitpatrick was prosecuted after a council animal welfare officer found the female dog in a room that was heavily littered with canine faecal matter and soaked in dog urine. No water had been provided for the dog, who was also malnourished.
The dog was seized after a veterinary assessment was carried out and was taken in the care of the Council. She was subsequently re-homed after the owner voluntarily signed her over.
Sentencing: 12-month probation order; costs of £340. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires November 2025).
CONVICTED (2020) | David Pearce, born 9 September tbc, and wife Jade Pearce (née Lunn), born 5 December 1993, both of Thorn Terrace, Leeds LS15 7NA – prosecuted for cruelty after their dog was found straying with an infected wound to her neck caused by an electric shock collar
Jade Pearce pleaded guilty to four cruelty offences in relation to Dutch shepherd Remmy, while her husband originally pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty before the trial.
RSPCA inspector Kris Walker launched an investigation after being contacted by the Leeds City Council dog warden.
Remmy recovered in the care of the RSPCA and has now been rehomed
Inspector Walker said: “The brindle Dutch Shepherd had been found straying and was taken for veterinary treatment for a nasty injury to her neck. She was microchipped in the name of Remmy.
“The skin around her throat was sore, inflamed, scabby and she had puncture marks which matched up to the electric prongs on the collar she was wearing when she was found.
“The injury smelled extremely strongly of infection and the prongs had pierced the skin and gone through the muscle, causing a serious, open wound.
“A vet determined that she was suffering and a police officer attended to seize her and place her into RSPCA care.
“We believe the shock collar had been left on too tight and the prongs had rubbed and pushed through the skin. If it had then been used to administer an electric shock too then it would have made the pain even more unbearable.”
A Facebook user alleges that the two are serial animal abusers
Inspector Walker contacted the microchip company and made enquiries to track down Remmy’s owner – David Pearce – and visited to speak to him.
Pearce and his wife, who have five children, confirmed they had owned the dog – now renamed Missy – but had rehomed her as they didn’t want to keep her.
Inspector Walker added: “They couldn’t provide an address or phone number for the person they claimed had taken Missy on.
“When I asked them if she’d been wearing a collar the last time they saw her they said she wasn’t and that they’d previously removed a collar because it was too tight for her.”
Following a number of failed follow-up visits to the address to interview the couple, Inspector Walker could not contact them and issued an abandonment notice relating to Missy.
When she wasn’t claimed, she remained in RSPCA care receiving treatment for her injuries before being rehomed. She’s now doing brilliantly with her new family.
Sentencing: David Pearce – 100 hours of unpaid work Jade Pearce – 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. A total of £235 costs and charges each. Both are banned from keeping animals for five years (expires November 2025).
CONVICTED (2020) | Lloyd Fowler, born c. 1965, of Drumcree Grove, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 4AL – kept two dogs in a filthy property strewn with rubbish
Fowler, who was previously jailed for sending a sexually explicit video to a minor, was convicted in his absence of offences relating to dogs being kept in unsanitary conditions
The case was brought against Fowler by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
On September 3, 2019, an Animal Welfare Officer visited Fowler’s property and observed the interior of the house to be in an extremely unsanitary state, noticing numerous empty cans of dog food inside the kitchen and living areas.
On September 26, 2019 the officer obtained a search warrant and returned to the property, accompanied by a vet.
The vet conducted an assessment and determined both dogs should be removed due to the poor conditions they were being subjected to.
The dogs were seized and taken into the care of the Council. Fowler subsequently signed both dogs over on a voluntary basis. Both dogs were successfully re-homed.
Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £672. Banned from keeping animals for ten years (expires November 2030).
CONVICTED (2020) | Michael Lancaster, born 13/08/1973, of Warrenhurst Court, Warrenhurst Road, Fleetwood FY7 6TP – killed a seagull because he was sick of its daily visits
Michael Lancaster, who is banned from keeping animals for life
McDonalds worker Lancaster kicked the bird and sprayed it with a pressure washer during the “horrible” attack.
Lancaster admitted killing the bird and causing it unnecessary suffering.
But magistrates, who were told he has since lost his job as a result of the incident, heard how Lancaster became enraged by the seagull’s daily swoops into the bin yard area.
Paul Ridehalgh, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said Lancaster had kicked the gull – a protected species – injuring its wing.
He placed it in a bin and turned a pressure washer on the bird before poking it with a spiked stick.
Bench chairman Peter Trend said: “This was horrible and it should never have happened.”
A waitress tried to intervene, the court heard, after she heard the bird crying in distress. Lancaster continued his attack, saying he was fed up of the animal flying into the yard “every day”.
The waitress called the RSPCA but the gull had died from its injuries.
In interview with an RSPCA officer, Lancaster said he had been sacked by the fast food chain because of what he had done.
He added: “I killed the seagull. It was my fault.”
The prosecutor added: “This is a serious offence involving deliberate violence.”
Sentencing: two-year community order with 45 rehabilitation days; four-month curfew; £290 costs. Lifetime ban on keeping or looking after animals.
#MostEvil | Richard Coyle, born 13 July 1966, from Blackwood, Caerphilly – tortured and mutilated a live hedgehog
Sadistic Coyle tortured and butchered a harmless hedgehog on a camping trip. He removed the animal’s legs and covered her head and eyes with molten wax.
Police found the animal still alive in a tent belonging to Coyle in Blackwood, Caerphilly county, in August 2019. Scissors, candles, a jump lead and a kitchen knife were also discovered.
Coyle, who has a previous conviction for manslaughter, told police ‘It’s only a f****** hedgehog. It’s got fleas’ when he was questioned over the incident.
PC James Goodman described the horrific scene inside the tent in the early hours of August 27, 2019.
He said: ‘I could smell burning flesh, burning hair, death. The hedgehog was mutilated. The smell was horrendous.’
The hedgehog was taken to a veterinary centre where she was put to sleep.
Coyle faced two charges. The first, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, was causing unnecessary suffering to a hedgehog by cutting its legs and burning the animal and covering its head with molten wax.
The second, under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, was mutilating and burning the hedgehog.
Former soldier Coyle claimed he has PTSD for serving in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. He denied the charges but was found guilty.
An RSPCA inspector said it was one of the worst animal cruelty cases he had ever seen.
He was sentenced to the maximum term of 26 weeks which is available to a magistrates’ court to impose.
RSPCA inspector Simon Evans said: “It is just beyond belief that someone could do this to a defenceless creature and cause so much suffering. To think that this hedgehog was alive through this ordeal is just horrifying.
“This case is certainly one of the worst examples of animal cruelty I’ve ever seen.”
Sentencing: 26 weeks in jail. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Coyle was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being caught torturing another hedgehog. The tiny creature was found badly mutilated and covered in blood and a creamy white liquid. A new banning order of 20 years was imposed on Coyle.
We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK
