CONVICTED (2021) | bloodsports fanatic Robert Lashley, born c. 1994, of Richardson Street, Ashington NE63 – failed to seek treatment for his Patterdale terrier’s unexplained lower jaw injury
Lashley failed to get treatment for his terrier’s painful jaw wound.
Robert Lashley pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, known as Bash.
Lashley, whose Facebook profile shows him lamping and holding the bodies of brutalised wild animals, was only prosecuted for failing to get treatment for Bash’s injury.
The RSPCA inspector who led the investigation said: “I found Bash, a black and tan terrier with an injury to his lower right jaw – it looked sore and in need of veterinary treatment.
“Lashley claimed a friend had taken Bash to receive treatment but there were no such records nor could the veterinary staff remember a dog being brought into the surgery with such injuries.”
One photo taken from Lashley’s Facebook profile shows him lamping while holding the body of a dead fox
Police seized Bash and placed him into the RSPCA’s care so he could receive vet treatment.
The dog’s infected wound was weeping, swollen and painful. He was given antibiotics before undergoing surgery.
Bash’s wound healed and he has since found a loving new home.
Sentencing: a total of £950 in fines and costs. 10-year ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2021) | Louise Michelle Cleave, born c. 1981, of First Avenue, Dawlish EX7 9RB – left her elderly dog to die alone barricaded in a toilet
Callous Louise Michelle Cleave locked her elderly pet dog in a toilet to die. Scratches on the door showed the dog had been trying desperately to escape.
Dolci, a 15-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was found dead in squalid conditions by RSPCA inspectors at Louise Cleave’s home.
Cleave said she had left the dog in the toilet when she grew weak and was too scared to look to see if she was dead.
She told inspectors she could not afford a vet and had suffered a mental health health breakdown due to problems in her family life.
Cleave admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to give Dolci proper veterinary care. She was banned from owning animals for the rest of her life.
The dog was found to have been suffering with a range of illnesses, including a long-standing skin condition and kidney disease but most seriously pyometra, a fatal infection of the womb.
Prosecutor Lindi Meyer said RSPCA inspectors went to Cleave’s address in January 2021 after a report of concerns over the treatment of a dog.
Shameless: the court heard that Cleave showed no remorse for her cruel actions and tried to blame others.
Cleave told them Dolci had been unwell for a while but she could not afford treatment. A cabinet had been placed against the door along with a stack of laminated floor strips.
She wasn’t sure if was Dolci was dead. She told inspectors the dog could have passed away but she was too scared to look.
The inspectors found Dolci lying on her side in her bed. She was dead.
RSPCA inspector Beccy Wadey, said: “She was lying on a bed of soiled toilet paper and next to her was a red tartan type blanket on a soiled sheet, a very soiled pillow and what looked like a puppy training pad that was also soiled. It was a very distressing sight.
“Dolci was emaciated with the ribs and spine prominent and had a distended, bloated stomach.” There was some old chopped up dog meat and water in a bowl.
Damage to the door indicated Dolci had been trying to scratch her way out for some time.
Cleave said the dog had been unwell for two or three weeks. Her back legs had given way but she feared she would ‘get done’ if vets saw the condition she was in.
She already owed them money and could not afford more. She did not want to think about the animal suffering.
Ms Meyer said Cleave tried to blame others, including police and the charity Animals in Distress who she claimed to have repeatedly contacted but received no reply.
Vets concluded Dolci was left to die of septicaemia, septic shock and kidney failure and would have suffered mental anguish being locked up her for several days.
A post-mortem revealed she was in poor condition with her spine, ribs, and hip bones sticking out, her skeletal muscle was reduced. There was a reduced layer of fat under her skin, she weighed just 10kg.
Her kidneys showed signs of disease and the pyometra caused a foul smelling liquid to form that was unable to drain away. Vets said the amount of infected liquid – two litres – was ‘astonishing’.
“While Dolci was poorly and losing weight she effectively abandoned her rather than get veterinary help,” said the prosecutor.
“The suffering was significant and ongoing for around two weeks.”
She said Cleave had shown no remorse and did not think she had done anything wrong.
“Even the skin complaint should have had attention,” she added. “This little dog suffered from a lack of kindness, treatment and comfort when dying.”
Lisa McArthur, defending, said Cleave had owned and loved the dog for many years.
Her 21-year-old son had returned to live with her and brought his mastiff dog with him. She had put Dolci in the downstairs toilet to keep her safe from the mastiff.
She was scared of her son’s temper and other issues in the family caused her mental health to deteriorate. She had noticed her dog had slowed down and grown weaker but put it down to old age.
She said she made the dog comfortable and checked on her the day before inspectors arrived.
She has been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, was a victim of domestic abuse and suffered with anxiety and low confidence.
Cleave had put her head in the sand and hoped the problem with the dog would go away, said Ms McArthur.
A probation report said Cleave would not intentionally harm animals but lacked insight into the offence and does not take responsibility for her actions.
Magistrates told her: “We find you did neglect and ill treat an elderly dog who was severely ill, suffering in pain and distressed which you knew needed immediate medical treatment. As a result of your neglect the dog sadly died.”
But they said Cleave had significant mitigation due to the offence being linked to her mental health, the caring responsibilities she had with her family and the fact she was currently pregnant.
Sentencing: jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, with 20 days of rehabilitation work with probation; £528 costs. Lifetime ban on owning animals but can appeal after 10 years (April 2031).
CONVICTED (2021) | Babatundi ‘Baba’ Edwards, born 9 December 1991, of Pinxton Court, Mansfield NG18 3RS – slammed a helpless dog to the ground before launching a sustained and vicious attack on him.
Father-of-three Babatundi Edwards was caught on camera attacking Staffordshire bull terrier Bandit.
The court heard how the dog ran out of a block of flats on Pinxton Court and hid under bushes, cowering and shaking, while Edwards shouted for him to come back.
Bandit slunk back, low to the ground and appeared to be terrified before Edwards grabbed him, lifted him above his head and threw him ‘forcefully’ to the ground where he landed on his head and back.
Edwards then jumped on the dog, punched and kicked him ‘multiple times’ and attempted to strangle him, before returning to his flat.
The incident was filmed by a neighbour after she heard Bandit’s terrified yelps. The court heard the neighbour had been concerned about the dog’s welfare for some time.
A vet said the impact of being hurled to the floor could have broken the dog’s neck – and kicking him could have been fatal.
Summing up, the prosecutor said that Edwards was “clearly not fit to be responsible for any animal of any sort. It was a prolonged course of violent behaviour.”
When interviewed by police, Edwards said: “Bandit didn’t know how to be a dog.” adding that the dog’s training wasn’t going well.
Abbie Edwards, mitigating, said her client had no previous convictions and there had been no offences since. His other dog , Roxi, was taken from him.
“There is simply no justification for this offence and Mr Edwards recognises that. He deeply regrets his actions.”
She said he owned his own dog for many years with no issues, but a friend asked him to look after Bandit and then failed to reclaim him.
Edwards admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Sentencing: 18-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years, with 10 rehabilitation days to tackle his anger management issues; £205 in costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years (expires April 2031).
#MostEvil | violent career criminal Kelvin McKendry, born 22 November 2001, most recently of Cotmanhay Road, Ilkeston, with previous addresses in Swadlincote and Brailsford in Ashbourne, Derbyshire – beat his pet dog to death and seriously injured a cat in a series of attacks
Evil Kelvin McKendry subjected his British Bulldog, Marley, to a horrific assault which left the pet with traumatic injuries to his head, body and internal organs
McKendry, who has previous convictions for violence, subjected his British Bulldog, Marley, to a horrific assault which left the pet with traumatic injuries to his head, body and internal organs.
Following the incident, which took place at McKendry’s home in Ilkeston on February 13, 2020, the criminal buried him in nearby woodland.
Kelvin McKendry’s victims Marley and Gypsy
When a youth offender worker questioned where Marley was, McKendry claimed he had died the previous night and he had buried him in a field where he used to walk him.
The RSPCA were contacted, but when they went to McKendry’s address in Cotmanhay Road he was not there and they were unable to locate him.
Four days later Derbyshire police received information that led them to where the dog was buried.
A pathologist’s report concluded Marley had suffered “horrific” life threatening injuries caused by multiple blunt force trauma.
McKendry with a previous dog he owned. The fate of the dog, named Bracken is unknown.
The vet report said: “The life-threatening injuries suffered by Marley caused internal bleeding and shock, from which he ultimately died.”
In the meantime McKendry had left the Ilkeston area and was only found when the RSPCA were called to reports of an injured cat in Rose Hill, Woodville, near Swadlincote, on July 21, last year.
When inspector Rachel Leafe, along with police, went to investigate what had happened they found a cat called Gypsy had been thrown against a wall, leaving her with a broken pelvis.
McKendry was arrested in connection for other matters, including a one-year long campaign of violence in Ashbourne which saw him injure at least five people in separate incidents.
He was sentenced to a two years in a young offender institution for those offences, and was charged with animal cruelty offences while in prison.
Inspector Leafe said: “According to the pathologist report it is clear poor Marley had suffered from a series of injuries which led to his death.
“Gypsy was also in a suffering state after McKendry threw her against a wall. She had emergency surgery and after weeks of cage rest I was pleased to hear she had made a good recovery at Derby’s Abbey Street Rehoming Centre.
“Now called Aggi she has now been nursed back to health thanks to dedicated staff and has just moved into her forever home in the countryside.”
McKendry pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two charges of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible.
Sentencing: jailed for 19 weeks. £121 victim surcharge Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.
CONVICTED (2021) | Martin D Thomas, born 14 July 1983, of 186 Bournemouth Road, Poole BH14 9HZ – beat his husky dog so badly she lost control of her bladder and bowel
Martin Thomas was caught on camera brutally assaulting a defenceless puppy
Thomas admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible were met.
At around 6pm on Friday February 12, 2001, officers were called to reports of a man beating his dog outside Tesco Express in Bournemouth Road, Poole.
After enquiries were carried out, officers located Thomas at his address nearby and due to the concerns that had been raised, the unnamed dog was seized using powers under the Animal Welfare Act. She was then taken to a vet, where is was confirmed she had sustained bruising but no other injuries.
Officers obtained CCTV, which showed the defendant beating his eight-month old pet repeatedly to the head, causing her to urinate and defecate over the pavement outside the store.
Thomas was interviewed and charged with the animal welfare offences. He was originally due to appear at court on Friday April 16, but failed to attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was executed on Sunday April 25 and he appeared it court the following day.
Sentencing: 12-month community order, with 200 hours of unpaid work and 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement; compensation of £1,300 toward vets and animal rescue bills. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expires April 2026). Deprivation order on the dog, who can now be rehomed.
CONVICTED (2021) | Thomas Gerard Mongan, born 6 November 1964, of 27A Park Urney, Forkhill, Newry BT35 9WF – for the appalling neglect of a dog found in a state of distress
The dog was in a state of distress after being found in a dire condition by council animal welfare officers
The distressed dog was found in a desperate condition after being effectively abandoned by his callous owner, traveller Thomas Mongan. He had been left to lie in his own faeces which had caused severe matting to his coat and was also suffering urine scalding. He also had to have a tooth extracted.
Vets had to sedate the dog to shave his coat due to the extreme matting that was present. This was caused by a build-up of faecal matter and a lack of grooming.
Following legal action by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Mongan was found guilty of failing to ensure the welfare of a dog in his care and causing it unnecessary suffering. The defendant did not appear in court and the case was proven in his absence.
Sentencing: fined £500 for each of the two charges plus a total of £210 in costs and fees. He was banned from keeping any animal for life.
#MostEvil | serial animal abuser and so-called ‘Gypsy Horse King’ Thomas Tony Price, born 3 June 1964, and partner Luanne Bishop, both of Redway Road, Bonvilston, Cardiff CF5 – for cruelty to horses and sheep kept in atrocious conditions
Tom Price was sent to prison and banned for life from keeping any animals after a history of prosecutions for mistreatment. HIs partner Luanne Bishop also received a lifetime ban with an exception for certain species …
In his latest conviction for animal cruelty horse trader and breeder Thomas Tony Price was found guilty on 32 counts of failing to ensure a suitable environment for horses and sheep.
Price was sentenced to six months in prison and banned for life from keeping any animals after a history of prosecutions for mistreatment that had previously seen him receive a five-year disqualification in 2013.
Before passing sentence, District Judge Neil Thomas told Price that the evidence against him had been compelling. He had failed to manage the animals competently and was hopelessly overstocked.
The judge also took a dim view of the fact Price had obstructed officers during the course of their duties at one of the sites.
Price and Bishop kept animals in atrocious conditions and left them to suffer with untreated open wounds
Price’s co-defendant and partner, Luanne Bishop, pleaded guilty to 31 of the charges and was sentenced at the same hearing to a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. She will have to wear an electronic tag for that period and be subject to a night-time curfew between 9pm and 6am. Bishop was also disqualified from keeping any animals for life, except for a number of specified pets.
Gypsy Horse King Tom Price pictured in 2019 with partner Luanne Bishop and their daughter
The case was brought to trial under the Animal Welfare Act by Shared Regulatory Services, the body responsible for providing Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing functions across the Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Local Authority areas.
Dave Holland, Head of Shared Regulatory Services, said: “Mr Price has a track record of mistreating animals and I hope this sentence sends out a message that such neglect and cruelty will not be tolerated in our Local Authority areas.
“The decision to hand down a prison sentence and the lifetime disqualification reflects the seriousness of these offences and the extreme suffering Price was responsible for. Not only do Price’s practices harm animals, they also cause problems for the wider communities as animals were often allowed to stray or fly-graze on land that he did not own.
“This conviction follows many months of partnership working between local authorities, South Wales Police Redwings and the RSPCA. Having to seize and care for animals on this scale has been extremely costly, but those that keep animals should be left in no doubt that these are steps we are prepared to take to ensure animals receive the appropriate level of care.”
Sheep were suffering from the effects of maggots and associated wounds.
Relating to three locations across the Vale and Bridgend, the court heard that Price had kept the animals in atrocious conditions.
In August 2019, Animal Health and Welfare Officers found a flock of Jacob sheep with fleeces still unshorn during a visit to Swn-y-Mor in Wick despite it being late into the summer.
Several sheep carcases were also found at the site and upon closer inspection it emerged that a number of the remaining sheep were suffering from the effects of maggots and associated wounds. Under veterinary supervision the worst affected sheep were put down and the remainder of the flock seized by the Local Authority.
Then, in January 2020, Animal Health and Welfare Officers found that Price was keeping his horses in appalling conditions at sites in Bonvilston, Coity, and again at Swn-y-Mor, Wick.
They were found standing in extremely deep mud, there was a lack of clean fresh water, and some had no forage. Two of the sites were strewn with hazards such as sharp metal and barbed wire, and at one site the horses were kept in overcrowded, filthy conditions with nowhere for them to lie down.
Price was charged with causing unnecessary suffering in relation to eight horses, some of which were significantly underweight, while others had long-standing wounds caused by ill-fitting rugs.
Officers were left with no choice but to seize a total of 240 horses from across the three locations.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We were pleased to support Shared Regulatory Services with this complex and important equine operation; which highlights again what can be achieved working together for animal welfare.
“Many of these horses were living in wholly inappropriate conditions and we are very happy to have worked closely with SRS, the Police and Redwings to rescue them and ensure many of these animals have a second chance of happiness.”
Nic de Brauwere, Redwings‘ head of welfare and behaviour and senior veterinary surgeon, added: “I witnessed first-hand the shocking conditions and desperate lack of care at these sites, which included ponies with untreated wounds, not enough food and water and many that were severely underweight living in totally unsuitable conditions.
“I am therefore very pleased and relieved to see a successful prosecution and robust sentencing, which will prevent more horses facing neglect at the hands of these individuals.
“This is by no means the first case Redwings has dealt with involving horses from this owner and the sheer amount of charity time, energy and resources that we have invested in protecting these animals over the years is difficult to put into words.
“We’d like to offer our sincere thanks to the councils of the Shared Regulatory Services from Bridgend, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, who persisted with this crucial case throughout the past year, despite challenges presented by the pandemic.
“And to our fellow welfare charities who have supported us every step of the way. Efforts are now underway to rehome the horses, who have since been brought back to full health.”
Sentencing: Tom Price – six months in prison. Banned for life from keeping any animals. Luanne Bishop – 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. Tagging order. Lifetime ban on keeping animals with exceptions for certain species of pets.
CONVICTED (2021) | William J Allan, born 24 December 1968, of Benula Road, Inverness IV3 8EH – battered a Labrador dog with a shovel
William Allan
Career criminal William Allan, who has the nickname ‘Hog’, was jailed for eight months after being convicted of a brutal and violent attack on the dog, named Bono.
Allan was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to the Labrador, who belonged to his former partner, by repeatedly striking him on the head and mouth with a shovel or similar instrument.
After reading a social worker report on the persistent offender, the sheriff noted that he continued to deny his guilt.
Allan had claimed the dog had followed him out the door, which had then slammed shut on his head but this wasn’t accepted by the court.
He admitted previous convictions and the sheriff told him : “You have a history of violent behaviour.
“You were found guilty of beating the dog repeatedly for a sustained period with a weapon.
“There were injuries – the dog’s teeth were broken and blood was splattered all over the walls. You then went on to lie about it.
“You have shown a lack of remorse and you still deny the incident.
“It was an abhorrent act and has had a lasting effect on those who witnessed it.
“The only reason I am not jailing you for 12 months is that the dog has made a physical recovery.”
Defence solicitor Marc Dickson said his client was on medication for anxiety and his condition may have contributed to “spontaneous acts.”
Sentencing: jailed for eight months. No mention of a ban.
CONVICTED (2021) | Martin Dunn, born c. 1972, of Albion Gardens, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 5AF – caught on camera punching a springer spaniel puppy.
West Yorkshire Police were called after Dunn, a serving police and firearms officer with Greater Manchester Police, attacked the puppy, known as Frank, leaving him yelping in pain.
Sergeant Martin Dunn who earns £44,000 a year, lost his temper and punched the five-month-old dog three or four times in the garden of his property on the evening of March 14, 2021.
Dunn pleaded guilty to an offence of animal cruetly at an earlier hearing.
Following the incident, Frank was examined initially by a vet and then a canine behaviour specialist.
The latter noted in his report that the dog “reacted with extreme fear” when shouted at, indicating that he had learnt to fear such behaviour.”
The behaviour specialist added: “Punching a dog repeatedly is not appropriate training.”
A spokeswoman for Probation said that Dunn “saw red” after the puppy had made a mess. She added that he had been involved in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and has been suffering from PTSD “but without realising it.”
The defendant had been referred for treatment by Occupational Health.
In mitigation, Sarah Barlow, said: “In this case there are a number of stress factors that came together on that evening that caused him to behave as he did.
“He hung his head in shame when he saw the video. It was a complete one-off.”
She said his job which saw him patrolling Manchester Airport “requires that at all times he is under control of his actions.
“As a firearms officer he has a great responsibility. In short he can’t believe that he behaved as he did.
“No excuses are made for it. This is the only occasion when he has behaved in any way like this.
“The effects of witnessing what he did at Manchester Arena affected him very deeply. So often police officers don’t avail themselves of counselling fearing it will affect how they are viewed.”
She said he was also involved in a “horrific neighbour dispute” and was hoping to sell the home he shared with his partner.
She said it meant he “can’t relax either at work or at home.” There were also issues with the custody of his son.
When Dunn was charged by West Yorkshire Police a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Police Sergeant Dunn is currently on restricted duties and the matter has been referred to Greater Manchester Police’s Professional Standards Branch.”
Sentencing |12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work reduced from 180 hours because of his guilty plea. Costs and charges totalling £180. Disqualified for five years from keeping any animals apart from a lizard-type leopard gecko (expires April 2026).
It was reported that Greater Manchester Police have sacked Martin Dunn following his criminal conviction for animal cruelty.
Dunn admitted gross misconduct at an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday 2 May 2023 and was dismissed without notice.
GMP said Dunn, who was placed on restricted duties when the incident was reported, had “unreservedly accepted the allegations”.
Ch Supt Michael Allen, head of GMP’s professional standards branch, said Dunn’s actions fell far short of the standard expected of police officers.
“The vast majority of police officers and staff fulfil their duties in serving the public to the highest standard and demonstrate exemplary behaviour in their private lives,” he said.
“Having a criminal conviction for animal cruelty makes Dunn wholly unsuitable to continue serving as a police officer and his cruelty towards Frank the dog is ultimately why he has lost his job.”
#MostEvil | Reece Coney, born 11 January 1998, of Wye Avenue, Bridgwater TA6 5DG – trampled his ex-partner’s cat to death in vile revenge attack
Cat killer Reece Coney from Bridgwater, Somerset, UK and victim Pedro
Coney saw the cat, known as Pedro, in a supermarket car park and took him to the Quantock Hills where he put him in a shopping bag and repeatedly stamped him underfoot.
A judge at Taunton Crown Court said it had been a targeted attack designed to deliberately distress his ex.
He said: “This was an absolutely disgraceful offence.
“It was malicious, deliberate activity and beyond the pale frankly, and it was targeted.”
Prosecutor Ms Lucy Taylor said the defendant, a delivery driver, had been in a relationship with Pedro’s owner.
Following the split, she had left the animal in the care of a relative but when she returned was told he had disappeared. She printed posters and displayed them in the neighbourhood but there was no sign of him.
Six months later, in November 2019, she received a message from the defendant’s latest partner to say the defendant had killed the cat by strangling and stamping.
She said Coney had seen the cat while at Asda and put him in the footwell of the car. He had told his partner to drive to Cheddar so he could throw him off the cliffs. She had refused but instead, and out of fear, agreed to drive to the Quantock Hills.
When they got there Coney took the animal outside and killed him with his foot, she said. He then buried the bag under some weeds.
Pedro’s body was never found.
Ms Taylor said the defendant messaged his ex to try and persuade her not to go to the police.
“There was clearly evidence of planning. It seems to have been a revenge attack on what is termed his ex partner’s property but was her pet cat.”
Coney pleaded guilty to an offence of criminal damage. The offence carries a maximum of three months in prison.
When police arrested him he initially blamed his latest partner for taking the cat and he had simply released it into the wild.
Mr Harry Ahuja, defending, said Coney had initially been too embarrassed and ashamed to admit what he had done.
“It was a disgraceful act on his part to take someone’s pet and treat in that manner,” he said.
Coney had been in a toxic relationship at the time which was now over. He said the defendant had matured since the incident and feared going to prison. He has no previous convictions.
Sentencing: 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work; £200 court costs and £600 compensation to Pedro’s owner. 20 rehabilitation days. No ban on keeping animals was imposed with the judge stating that he was “not sentencing [Coney] for an animal welfare offence” despite it being “part of it”.
