Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Wigan, Greater Manchester: Daniel Ratchford

May 28, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | serial wildlife criminal Daniel Ratchford, born 9 December 1984, of 4 Stratford Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 7AH – caught hunting wild animals with dogs despite a lifetime ban imposed in 2014

Serial wildlife criminal Daniel Ratchford was found to be in breach of a lifetime ban on keeping dogs

Daniel Ratchford was made the subject of a five-year court order banning him from vast areas of Lancashire and Merseyside after being found guilty of four poaching offences; hunting wild animals with dogs; and five breaches of a Dog Disqualification Order.

Ratchford is now excluded from entering large parts of West Lancashire and Sefton districts. This includes all rural areas between Ormskirk and the Sefton coast, between Ormskirk and Crosby, Maghull, Kirkby and between Wigan and Lancashire around the Douglas Valley.

It also prevents Ratchford from being part of a group of two or more people who are in control of any dog anywhere in England and Wales.

He is banned from trespassing on any land and from acting in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

In addition to the Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), he was also handed a 32-week custodial sentence suspended for two years; a 16-week 7pm to 6am tagged curfew; 50-day Rehabilitation Order; and a lifetime prohibition from keeping dogs. All of his dogs were forfeited to police for rehoming.

Wildlife criminal Daniel Ratchford from Wigan

An investigation into Ratchford began after police received information that he was committing poaching offences on private farmland, allowing his lurcher-cross dogs to kill wild rabbits and hares.

As a result, Lancashire’s South Rural Task Force, along with Merseyside Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit and RSPCA Special Operations Unit, executed a warrant at Ratchford’s property in the early hours of the Thursday, March 11, 2021.

Five dogs were found inside, in breach of his lifetime disqualification which he was given in 2014, after being convicted alongside John Daly, Reece Welsh and Ryan Kennedy of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. For this offence, he was sentenced to twelve weeks’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Paddy Stewart, Rural, Wildlife & Heritage Crime Officer in Lancashire’s South Rural Task Force said: “Ratchford has shown absolutely no regard for animals’ rights to live peacefully in the wild.

“Instead, he allowed his dogs to cruelly maim and kill rabbits and hares.

“The fact is that offenders like Ratchford know that animals like hares don’t die instantly after one bite from a dog, they are agile are often are unsuccessfully grabbed several times, causing graphic injuries and distress. And that’s if they survive; the vast majority die suffering and screaming in agonising pain.

“This is a serious criminal offence, with often misunderstood and far-reaching impacts on our rural communities and I hope that this result shows those who commit these types of offences, whether that be against wildlife or farming, we have a dedicated team of officers and we will find you.”

PC Stewart added: “We need the rural communities of West Lancashire and Merseyside to help us enforce Ratchford’s CBO and report if they see him committing any breaches of the order, to please call us on 101.”

Manchester Evening News

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Shipston-On-Stour, Warwickshire: Christine Wilkinson

May 27, 2021 misanthropic 10 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Christine Mary Wilkinson, born 14 January 1988, of 2 Caudlewell Drive, Shipston CV36 4NT – abandoned her dog, leaving her to starve to death

Evil Christine Wilkinson left bulldog Minnie to starve to death in an empty house

Wilkinson, who has a young daughter, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a bulldog named Minnie. The charge was proved in Wilkinson’s absence at a previous hearing.

Minnie was discovered by a housing association officer who had accessed Wilkinson’s former address in Marigold Road, Stratford, in May 2019.

Minnie was found starved to death curled up in her bed

They found the white and tan dog’s body and contacted the RSPCA.

During the court hearing, RSPCA Inspector Thea Kerrison said: “Minnie was curled up in a plastic dog bed on top of a blanket. I could see that she was extremely thin as I could see her ribs and hip bones prominently. She looked like she had died, curled up in the sleeping position.”

Ms Kerrison added: “Minnie was severely neglected prior to her death.

Dog killer: Christine Wilkinson from Shipston, Warwickshire, UK

The veterinary reports after her post-mortem examination concluded that her poor body condition score would have taken place over a period of weeks. The conditions she was found in with large amounts of faeces in her environment is further evidence of this.

“There were two levels of suffering identified by vets – the physical suffering of starvation and dehydration, and the mental suffering of anxiety and stress, not knowing if anyone was coming for her or when she would be fed.

“Minnie was dependent on her owner and she broke that trust by leaving her to suffer. Wilkinson could have asked for help or handed Minnie over to an animal charity to be rehomed but instead decided to simply abandon her to die after a period of prolonged suffering.”

Sentencing: 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days; a total of £278 in costs and charges. Lifetime disqualification order on all animals, but can appeal after 10 years.

Stratford Herald
Express

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire: Ashley Graham

May 25, 2021 misanthropic 12 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Ashley Graham, born 24 August 1985, of 36 Crossfolds Crescent, Peterhead AB42 1RE – allowed her dog to become a “walking skeleton”

Peterhead woman Ashley Graham was banned from owning dogs for four years after her desperately ill pet dog, known as Lola, was put to sleep.

Scottish SPCA Inspector Fiona McKenzie described Lola’s condition as the most horrific she had seen in her 13 years of service.

Lola was discovered starving and malnourished after being neglected by Ashley Graham

Inspector McKenzie said: “I had been called out to Graham’s address after a complaint was made to our animal helpline about Lola’s condition.

“When I first laid eyes on Lola, I was shocked. I could not believe what I was seeing. She was like a walking skeleton.

“She had no body fat or muscle, her skin just hung off her bones. There was no fat on Lola’s head and everything was sunken. Her eyes were cloudy with signs of infection and they had sunk back in to her eye sockets.

“Lola was suffering excessive hair loss from what looked like a chronic skin condition and her skin was hot to touch. Her ears had infected wounds which had eaten away at the edge of her ears. She was very weak and had a depressed demeanour.

“It was clear Lola was suffering from lack of nutrition and was in need of veterinary attention.”

The vet concluded that Lola’s condition had developed over the course of several months causing a prolonged period of suffering.

Lola was given antibiotics and a number of treatments and her decayed teeth were extracted. Despite this and the best efforts made by the Scottish SPCA to save her, poor Lola didn’t respond to the treatment for her septicaemia and the difficult decision was made that the kindest thing for Lola was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.

“This is a devastating end to Lola’s life which could have easily been avoided if Graham had provided an adequate diet or had asked a vet for advice sooner,” said Inspector McKenzie. “Ultimately Graham is responsible for the death of Lola.

“Any sentence is a success but we believe that Lola’s condition should have resulted in a lifetime ban on owning animals.

“We believe this would have been an appropriate sentence for Graham.

“But we do hope this has made her think seriously about her ability to care for any animal in the future.”

Sentencing | 100-hour community payback order. Banned from owning dogs for just four years (expires May 2025).

Buchan Observer
Scottish SPCA News
Daily Record

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

Admaston, Shropshire: Sophie Massey

May 25, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | illegal puppy dealer Sophie Massey, born 12 April 1998, of Brandon Avenue Admaston, Telford TF5 0DU

Massey was prosecuted by Animal Protection Services following the charity’s investigation into the unlicensed sale of puppies in the Telford area.

She pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

The court heard how Massey advertised several breeds of puppies including Jack Russells, dachshunds, French bulldogs, pugs, and Labradors.

Sentencing: fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 towards prosecution costs. Disqualified from dealing in animals for 12 months.

Shropshire Live

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Burbage / Devizes, Wiltshire: Adam Patterson and Fay Spanswick

May 24, 2021 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Adam Neil Patterson, born c. 1997, of Margreen Farm Collingbourne Road, Burbage, Marlborough SN8 3RT and partner Fay Ellena Spanswick, born 1 June 1998, of The Dairy, Bath Road, Devizes SN10 – filmed hitting, kicking and pinning down a Shetland pony

Violent horse abusers Adam Patterson and Fay Spanswick from Wiltshire, UK

Codefendants Fay Spanswick and Adam Patterson pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between 13 and 17 April 2020.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Matthew Knight told the court the pair were filmed by a witness training the pony in a field off Westcourt Lane, Burbage, using “aggressive and inappropriate” methods.

During the two videos filmed by the witness – lasting a total of 100 minutes – Fred, owned by Spanswick, was seen to be subjected to kicks and blows from the defendants. He was also jumped upon and forcibly pinned to the ground. The footage also showed the pair inflicting blows from a piece of piping and a riding crop.

Whilst Mr Knight accepted it wasn’t purposeful harm inflicted on the pony, the pair used violent and inappropriate methods of training which would have been “very frightening” for the animal.

The Shetland pony, aged 11 months, didn’t suffer any lasting injuries and has since been signed over to the RSPCA.

Sentencing:
Both were given a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 19 months, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days. The pair were also disqualified from owning or having contact with equines for five years (expires May 2026). The ruling can be appealed after two years.

Wiltshire999S

Birds, Cats, Dogs, Hoarders, Lifers, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers, Small Furries

Nechells, Birmingham: Ellen Sibley

May 23, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | serial pet hoarder Ellen Francis Sibley, born c. 1956, of Little Hall Road, Nechells, Birmingham – continued to collect and hoard animals despite previous cruelty convictions and a lifetime ban

Ellen Sibley pictured outside court in May 2021

Ellen Sibley was found to be keeping a menagerie of pets including four cats, a dog, two hamsters and a pair of budgerigars after ignoring the lifetime ban imposed in 2011.

Sibley was banned from keeping pets for life in May 2011 following a joint prosecution with husband Brian Sibley after more than 20 flea-infested animals were found in filthy conditions at her home.

An inspection of the property revealed birds including a cockatiel and a budgie being kept in filthy cages without food and water while a cat was seen using a litter tray that was overflowing.

A shallow grave was discovered outside containing the body of a kitten which had recently died.

A collie-type dog called Sheba appeared to be lame and when she was examined the animal was found to have a broken pelvis. The court heard the dog was in “enormous pain”.

Sibley has blatantly ignored the ban ever since and was even jailed for four months in 2012 for one particular breach.

Her latest breach was discovered in late October 2020 when an RSPCA inspector went to her home in Little Hall Road, Nechells.

Conditions inside Sibley's squalid property — Conditions inside Sibley’s squalid property where she kept a menagerie of neglected animals

Prosecutor Raife Turner said: “The property was dirty and there was a stench. She said she had four or five cats. There was a puppy confined in the bathroom in squalid conditions. It was in a small crate which wasn’t of sufficient size.

“There was a cat in a carrier. The bedding was wet with urine and faeces. Other cats were found in the bedroom which was littered with faeces, which gives an indication of how the household was being run by the defendant.

“She said she had owned one of the cats for years which is another indication of her response to the previous disqualification.” He added:

“She is in a position where she finds it difficult to look after herself and certainly in no position whatsoever to look after, and never should be able to look after protected animals.”

Ellen Sibley pictured with estranged husband Brian, who was prosecuted alongside her in 2011.

The pets have since been removed but even Sibley’s lawyer conceded she could not guarantee against further breaches of the 2011 ban due to her learning difficulties.

Sibley pleaded guilty to breaching a disqualification as well as failure to ensure the welfare of animals she was responsible for.

Magistrates appeared a little stumped as to the appropriate course of action following her latest offence. The chair of the bench described the case as an ‘extremely desperate situation’ and said: “This has been a difficult case to deal with. We are very concerned we find ourselves here again.

“There doesn’t appear to be community-based mechanisms that assist this lady and prevent her having animals. I appreciate their attraction but they do need to be looked after. We have no desire to see any animals suffer.”

Addressing Sibley directly she added: “I know you hear me now. You have got to try and remember when you leave court it’s forever, you must never have animals.”

The lifetime ban was re-granted and she was handed a six-month conditional discharge as well as told to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Birmingham Mail

Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Woodlands, Doncaster: Robert Nevill

May 23, 2021 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Robert David Nevill, born 11 August 1988, of 95 Shaftsbury Avenue, Woodlands, Doncaster DN6 7TH – attacked a hunt saboteur group’s vehicle with the body of a dead fox

Robert Nevill with partner Lisa Youngman

Robert Nevill, supporter of the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt and an animal persecutor in his own right, was caught on video smashed the poor animal’s remains repeatedly against the window of the vehicle while horrified members of the Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs screamed at him to stop.

The shocking footage shows other hunt thugs goading Nevill on. These included his partner Lisa Youngman (aka Lisa Frost), born 18 December 1979, her son Morgan Teale (aka Morgan Kmiotek), born 20 August 2000, his then partner Molly Marisa, plus Adam Oakes, born c. 1992, of Finlay Road, Rotherham, and Adam Harrison of 22 Welfare Avenue, Doncaster DN12 3NH.

Hunt thugs that appeared in the shocking video that led to Nevill's conviction — Hunt thugs that appeared in the shocking video that led to Nevill’s conviction

Police mugshot of Adam Oakes. This was taken after he was charged (and later convicted) of driving a quad bike towards a police officer.

Serial wildlife killer Adam Harrison from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK

Only Nevill was charged, however, and in May 2021 he was sentenced after pleading guilty to offences of ‘criminal damage’ and an ‘act of outraging public decency’.

Robert Nevill caught on camera with a Patterdale terrier digging for wildlife — A wildlife persecutor in his own right, Nevill regularly uploads photos of his ‘kills’ to social media

He was ordered to pay a total of £460 in fines, costs and compensation and to carry out 360 hours of unpaid work.

Source: Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs Facebook post of 19 May 2021.

Additional information

Robert Nevill, Lisa Youngman and Morgan Teal run a business named R&L Landscaping. Their business Facebook page is currently deactivated.

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species

Fawdon, Newcastle upon Tyne: Mark Scott

May 22, 2021 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Mark Scott, born 3 May 2001, of Hillsview Avenue, Fawdon, Newcastle – failed to intervene in his brother’s mistreatment of multiple pets at the home they shared

Mark Scott did nothing to ensure his brother Steven Scott, whose own cruelty case concluded in April 2021, properly fed animals at the property they shared in Vine Street, South Shields, in early 2020.

Although he gave his sibling £30 a month for pet food, the pair’s cats remained underfed and lost around 20% of their body weight.

One cat – three-year-old Shadow – was 1.1kgs below his optimum healthy weight, while female tabby Tiger was also visibly thin.

Some of the pets allowed to suffer at the property shared by brothers Mark and Steven Scott.

Two other cats, Cuddles and Shankly, died. One had effectively starved to death, and one was euthanised.

A dog named Lara along with two further cats had to be nursed back to health.

Last month, Steven Scott pleaded guilty to five charges of animal cruelty and was handed an indefinite ban from owning or looking after animals.

Now warehouse worker Mark Scott has pleaded guilty to a single charge of failing to prevent another person causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

RSPCA prosecutor Alex Bousfield told magistrates Mark Scott had been “let down” by his brother in the month from January 4, 2020.

He said: “Mark Scott and his brother were living at the address with several animals. Steven Scott was responsible for a number of cats and a dog.

“Mark Scott had a lot of problems in his life and was able to live at an address where the cats were allowed to stay.

“He felt obliged to give these animals to his brother to look after. He said in interview that he gave £30 a month for food to his brother.

“To be fair, his brother seems to have let Mark down, but it became clear during the investigation that Mark has allowed the suffering of these animals to continue.

“To give him his credit, he said as much as that in interview. He knew that there were problems and had tried to get his brother to sort it out.”

Mr Bousfield said it was not possible to attach an optimum weight to Tiger due to her youth.

But he revealed both cats, who have been rehomed, had rated at two out of nine on the RSPCA’s health score chart – and both had flea issues.

David Forrester, defending, said: “He has no previous convictions.
“He’s not alleged to have deliberately underfed them, but he was in the house between December and when the RSPCA came in.

“In effect, the cats were 20% below their body weight.

“When he was interviewed he gave a full account, in contrast to his brother, who basically ran away from giving a full account.

“The first thing he says was, ‘I was giving the money to my brother to feed them, and thought that he was.’

“His cats were undernourished therefore he’s culpable in law for his brother not feeding them properly.”

Magistrates told Mark Scott, who had initially denied the charge but pleaded guilty on the day of trial, he could apply for his ban to be lifted after two years.

Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £796 in fines, costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years but can appeal after two years.

Chronicle Live

Dogs

Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire: Garry and Claire Miller

May 21, 2021 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | company director Garry John Miller, born December 1973, and wife Claire Miller (nee Shipman), age unknown, of Knights Orchard, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3QA – for the significant neglect and mistreatment of their West Highland terrier

Garry and Claire Miller were disqualified from keeping dogs for five years after pleading guilty to an offence of causing unnecessary suffering to their dog, a Westie called Daisy.

Daisy was found straying, in the Hemel Hempstead area on Friday, October 16, 2020 and signed over to Dacorum Borough Council.

The examining vet said that Daisy was in very poor condition. Her coat was described as greasy and matted, she had dried faeces in her coat and her ears were infected with thick smelly discharge.

Both her eyes had significant discharge and she also had an ingrown dew claw which had grown into her leg causing an infected wound.

Cllr Julie Banks, Portfolio Holder for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “This case sends out a clear message about how seriously Dacorum Borough Council and the courts take the issue of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

“It is never acceptable to neglect an animal and I pay tribute to our Animal Welfare Team who have helped Daisy recover and find a new home for her.”

The Investigating Officer, Dacorum Borough Council Animal Welfare Officer, Rachel Smith said: “Daisy was an older dog who deserved to be cared for her in twilight years.

“There is support available through local charities and rehoming centres, who can assist owners who may be suffering financially.

“Daisy’s suffering could easily have been avoided. Following Daisy coming into Dacorum Borough Council care, she has gone on to make a full recovery and has now settled well into her new forever home.”

Sentencing: Claire Miller was ordered to pay £120 fine, £34 victim surcharge and £750 costs. Garry Miller was ordered to pay £1,000 fine, £100 victim surcharge and £750 costs. Both were disqualified from keeping dogs for five years (expires May 2026).

Hemel Today

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Worst of the Worst

St Asaph, Denbighshire: Stephen Lees

May 21, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Stephen Paul Lees, born c. 1959, of Cwttir Lane, St Asaph LL17 0LF – left a mare with such severe injuries from a halter rope around her face that she had to be put to sleep

Lees was found guilty of an Animal Welfare Act offence in his absence, and sentenced on 13 May 2021 at Mold Magistrates’ Court.

RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton attended a farm on Cwttir Lane in October 2019 to respond to welfare concerns about a grey Arab mare horse.

The horse was seen in a field with a roller around her body and a rope headcollar to her head, with the lead rope dangling to the floor. The horse repeatedly stood on the rope, causing the head collar to tighten more and more each time.

Lees was urged by the RSPCA to seek urgent medical attention for the horse – and to find a veterinary surgeon who could dart the animal if she could not be caught.

However, the RSPCA soon witnessed Lees trying to catch the animal by driving after the horse in a vehicle and beeping the horn repeatedly – something which caused the animal “great distress”.

He told the animal welfare charity he had “absolutely no intention of incurring any vet bills”.

The RSPCA later contacted a vet, who was able to sedate the horse with a dart. Sadly, the injuries to the horse caused by the rope were so severe that she had to be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Vets found that bone on the horse’s head had been left exposed, and there were deep wounds on the underside of the jaw area. Wounds to the equine were found to be filled with maggots and eggs.

Veterinary opinion concluded that the horse “had been caused unnecessary pain and suffering by having had a rope halter tied to (her) face and being placed into a field”.

RSPCA chief inspector Leanne Hardy said: “We urged the man to seek veterinary attention for the horse and to get help in catching the distressed horse if this was needed – but this was not heeded.

“At the site our inspector Jenny Anderton instead witnessed the man driving after the horse in a vehicle and beeping the horn repeatedly. This would only have caused the horse great distress and only made a bad situation even worse.

“RSPCA Cymru brought an independent vet to the site – who was able to sedate the horse, remove the rope and check her over. Sadly, the injuries were so severe that they were of the opinion she should be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.”

Sentencing: 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months; 25 rehabilitation days; ordered to pay £600 in costs and a £122 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all equines for just 18 months (expired November 2022).

Daily Post
Deeside.com

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: May 2021