York, North Yorkshire: Mark Eaton

November 30, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | pet shop owner Mark James Eaton, born c. 1979, of Woodlea Avenue, York YO26 5JX – failed to get veterinary treatment for a chameleon in his care.

Eaton, owner of Acomb Pets, pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence when he appeared before York Magistrates’ Court.

The court was told how a chameleon called Derek was taken to be boarded by his owner at Eaton’s shop for 11 days.

But when she collected Derek on August 13, 2021, she found her pet had an infected wound oozing pus in his lower back and pelvis. This had led to a deteriorating body condition as Derek was not feeding or drinking.
She took Derek for emergency veterinary treatment and the matter was reported to the RSPCA.

After chameleon Derek spent eight days at Acomb Pets, he had pus oozing from a wound, he was unable to eat, he was dehydrated and his skin was dry and paper like.

RSPCA Inspector Alice Wilson was called to investigate and during an interview Eaton said Derek was bitten by a live locust in his feed which caused the injury. In court he admitted a charge of failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of an infected wound.

An independent veterinary expert told the court: “It is common for ‘live’ food to turn around and start to eat the animal that was meant to eat them, particularly when both are confined to a small area.

“Normal good husbandry measures will prevent this occurrence – namely making sure the prey is of an appropriate size for the predator and not leaving excess insects in the vivarium.

“Should the above not be adhered to and the animal is injured then appropriate veterinary attention should be sought.”

In total Eaton was ordered to pay a £923 fine, £350 costs and a £92 victim surcharge.

Alice said: “I am pleased to say following veterinary treatment Derek is now doing well and is back at home with his grateful owner.”

The court was told that the RSPCA had made a number of recommendations for Eaton to improve the premises.

Examiner Live

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Harwich, Essex: Benjamin Beverley

November 30, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Benjamin Beverley, born 10 May 1968, of 10 Hordle Place, Harwich CO12 3PY – subjected his pet dog to a brutal public beating.

Beverley admitted four counts of causing intentional fear or provocation of violence, one count of causing harassment, alarm or distress and two counts of animal cruelty.

On February 16, 2021, police were called to Lower Marine Parade in Harwich after concerned members of the public reported they had seen a man abusing a dog on the beach.

Further reports said that the man had also become aggressive towards people when they tried to intervene and help the animal.

A witness of the event which occurred at about 8.45am took to Facebook to report what happened.

She said: “It was very upsetting, he let the dog off the lead and it ran on the beach and attacked a little Springer Spaniel several times.

“His dog wouldn’t return to him and eventually when he got it he really beat it, holding it up and punching it.

“He carried it back to the promenade hanging from its collar.”

Another witness added: “It was the most awful thing I’ve seen, that poor dog’s little body.

“I was so upset with anger, I tried to buy the dog from him.

“Anyone who confronted him got a mouthful.

“I dread to think what he does to that poor dog behind closed doors.”

Following an investigation, Harwich Community Policing Team and the RSPCA visited a local address, where they found a further two dogs, which had injuries and their needs were not being met by the owner.

The three pooches were taken away and handed to the RSPCA, which led the investigation.

Sentencing: 15-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; total of £813 in costs and charges; 20-day activity programme with the probation service. Five-year ban on keeping any animal (expires November 2026).

Harwich and Manningtree Standard

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Lifers, Traveller Animal Crimes

Sidlesham, West Sussex: Stuart Stanbridge

November 26, 2021 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Stuart Lee Stanbridge, born 10 June 1983, of Green Lane Piggeries, Ham Road, Sidlesham, Chichester PO20 7NS – starved and neglected two horses.

Stanbridge was given two concurrent 20-week prison sentences after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the horses – a black cob gelding and a dun cob gelding – by failing to investigate and address the causes of their poor bodily condition and weight loss .

He must pay £122 victim surcharge, £750 costs, and was disqualified from owning or keeping all animals for life.

Chichester Observer

Cats, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire: Rachel Cawte and Carl Wright

November 26, 2021 misanthropic 18 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Rachel Cawte aka Rachel Stafford, born 17 May 1974, of Beechdale Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Mansfield NG19 9GQ, and Carl Anthony Wright, born 7 May 1975, of Stockwell Court, Mansfield NG18 5QQ – for the cruel mistreatment of a cat that suffered a catalogue of serious injuries.

Animal abusers Rachel Cawte and Carl Wright.

Black and white cat Lily sustained multiple fractured bones and eventually had to be put down.

Prosecutor Andy Cash said Cawte told a vet that Lily was limping after jumping out of a window, less than a month after Rachel Cawte bought her, in September 2020.

X-rays revealed fractures in her leg and neck, but Cawte refused the vet’s recommendation that Lily be put down.

Lily suffered a series of injuries, the precise cause of which was not established, though Cawte claimed in court that Carl Wright was violent to the cat.

The cat began showing signs of improvement, but was returned to the surgery a month later with a fractured pelvis.

Cawte’s flatmate found Lily and thought she was dead, but Cawte told him “she was simply scared of men”, Mr Cash said.

He took the cat to the vet and on Christmas Day a further examination revealed multiple fractures to her mouth and face, abrasions and trauma, and Lily had to be euthanized.

Cawte later told an RSPCA inspector that, during an argument, Wright threw Lily across the room so hard she squealed in pain.

On another occasion, he claimed Lily got her head stuck in a reclining chair.

Sentencing:
Both Cawte and Wright were originally given 20 weeks in prison and banned from keeping pets for ten years. Cawte’s sentence was later reduced on appeal after the court accepted she was in a “domineering relationship” with Wright. The pair have apparently gone their separate ways. She was handed an eight-week prison sentence suspended for two years, and her ban on keeping animals was reduced to just two years (expires November 2023).

Chad

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Ditton, Kent: Danny King Sr and Jr

November 25, 2021 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Danny King Sr, born c. 1979, and son Danny King Jr, born 29 May 1999, both of 44 Nursery Road, Ditton, Maidstone ME20 6DZ – bragged about killing badgers and kept multiple dogs in atrocious conditions.

Danny King Jr and Sr. Picture: Facebook.

The Kings, who are gypsy travellers, were due to stand trial earlier in November 2021 but failed to attend. The trial went ahead in their absence and they were both found guilty of a number of offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

Both were charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a black poodle and failing in a duty of responsibility for the welfare of eight dogs between 2019 and 2020.

King Jr was also charged with killing a badger in 2018.

RSPCA officers joined police to execute a warrant in March 2019, where a mobile phone was seized as part of the investigation and revealed a “hunting” WhatsApp group between a number of people.

One of the people involved in the conversation was named as Danny King who also sent a video of two dogs attacking a badger and an audio message saying: “That’s what you call the all rounder… had a good bit of sport last night”.

Another audio message referred to a dog “running and killing” a badger and a number of hare, while another audio recording referred to the injuries to the dog and badger.

RSPCA officers found the dogs in poor conditions in Ditton, near Aylesford

On 29 January 2020, officers from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit joined Kent Police as they executed a warrant at a property in Ditton under the Protection of Badgers Act.

Eight dogs, including greyhounds and dachshunds, were found at the property and seized by police; one was extremely underweight, had matted fur, fur loss and poor teeth.

RSPCA inspector Jason Bowles, who assisted with the investigation, said: “The dogs were being kept in unacceptable conditions, living in cold, filthy kennels. None of the dogs had suitable, dry or comfy bedding to rest on and only one kennel had food or water.

“A number of dogs including lurchers, spaniels and a poodle type were seized by police and placed into our care.”

A phone number listed on a van parked on the drive matched up with the number assigned to ‘Dannyking’ from the WhatsApp chat.

Danny King Jr. Picture: Facebook. — Danny King Jr

Danny King Sr was given a three-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £750 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

Danny King Jr received a four-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours of unpaid work.

Danny King Sr. Picture: Facebook. — Danny King Sr

Both men were disqualified from keeping animals, King Sr for 20 years and King Jr for 10 years.

The dogs have all been rehomed.

A third unnamed person – believed to be family matriarch Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Harbour – was given a suspended prison sentence in March 2021 having previously admitted two offences under the Animal Welfare Act at Medway Magistrates’ Court. She was handed a two-month jail term – suspended for 12 months – and ordered to complete an animal welfare rehabilitation programme. She was disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.

Kent Online

Dogs

Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands: Gemma Plested

November 24, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Gemma Plested, born 3 October 1984, of Old Lane, Bloxwich, Walsall – failed to stop her dog from eating cocaine.

Gemma Plested was banned from keeping pets after her American bulldog, Tate (pictured), ate cocaine. Pictures: Facebook. — Gemma Plested was banned from keeping pets after her American bulldog, Tate (pictured), ate cocaine. Pictures: Facebook

Plested was responsible for a female American bulldog named Tate in January 2021 when RSPCA investigators became concerned about the dog’s welfare.

A warrant was issued for Plested’s arrest and she was taken into custody on suspicion of animal welfare offences.

In court, Plested pleaded guilty to not taking the necessary steps to ensure Tate was protected from pain and suffering, specifically failing to prevent her from ingesting cocaine.

The incident happened in Birmingham on January 14, 2021.

Plested also admitted another of failing to ensure Tate had adequate care and supervision between January 10 and January 15, 2021.

Sentencing: community order; total of £745 in fines and costs. Disqualified from keeping any pet for a period of 10 years but may appeal after five years.

Birmingham Live

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

Acrefair, Wrexham: Mark Smallman

November 24, 2021 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Mark Smallman, born c. 1973, of Alwen. Acrefair, Wrexham LL14 3EU – stole four toy poodles from a commercial breeder; one dog died after being hit by a car.

The court heard that drugs were at the root of dog thief Smallman’s persistent offending.

Smallman admitted committing burglary and stealing the dogs from the Vicarage Kennels in Berse Road, New Broughton, Wrexham, which is owned by Julie Ann and David Crabtree.

He originally appeared before magistrates in Llandudno in the summer of 2021 and denied the crime altogether.

The case was due to go on trial in October 2021, but Smallman confessed to everything just weeks before the hearing.

Smallman pinched the poodles from the breeder on November 18, 2020.

Three of the dogs were recovered, but one sadly died after being struck by a car.

The court heard the kennels were checked on the night of the burglary but there was nothing untoward.

Smallman snatched three female poodles and one male – in the hours after that check took place.

The court was told it became clear to the business owners that Smallman had gained entry to the site by snapping a padlock.

Smallman left a “not so insignificant quantity of blood” that police tested and used as a trail back to him.

A social media appeal was launched by Julie Crabtree while the investigation was ongoing, in a bid to get the dogs back to the kennels.

One dog that was spotted running loose in the Brymbo area sadly died after being hit by two cars and left to die in the road.

It was not clear how the dog managed to get loose in the rural Wrexham village before it died.

A woman contacted the couple who run the kennels, believing they had just purchased the remaining three dogs for around £5,000 all together. This was confirmed to be the case when Ms Crabtree visited them next day.

Smallman was arrested on January 13, 2021

Simon Kileen, defending Smallman, acknowledged that jail was inevitable” but asked the judge to consider imposing the shortest possible prison term.

The judge was told that drugs were the root cause of his offending, leading him to turn to crime to fund the lifestyle.

It had been “some time” since Smallman had committed a crime, saying that there is a “seed of hope” that he is getting his life on track, Mr Kileen added.

Recorder John Philpotts told Smallman he had caused “great sadness” to the family who lost one of the poodles.

Passing a two year prison term, the judge added: “These dogs were sold clearly for some significant gain. It is not clear or suggested that you were responsible for the selling of the dogs, but you were the one who took them in the first place – that cannot be ignored.”

Permanently losing one of the animals taken will have caused ‘serious trauma’ to the kennel owners, the judge stressed.

Daily Post

Cats, Lifers

Bradford, West Yorkshire: Habib Siddique

November 23, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Habib Siddique, born c. 1990, of Rooley Lane, Bradford BD5 8JH – left a cat in agony with an unexplained leg fracture.

Siddique was proven guilty in his absence and appeared in court after being arrested on warrant following an RSPCA investigation.

Inspector Emma Ellis, who investigated, first visited a property in Sunbridge Road, Bradford, on February 14, 2020.

She said: “I observed a black and white domestic shorthair male cat called Misho. Misho had a very obvious problem with the hind left leg with the bone sticking out as he walked. He was walking around but each step he took caused the bone to stick out at right angles to his leg.

“I asked Mr Siddique what had happened and he told me that the cat had been dumped on him and his friend around six to seven months ago. He said at that time the cat had a broken leg and a broken jaw. He said he took the cat to the PDSA and was told the cat needed to be put to sleep.

He said he didn’t agree with them so he brought the cat home. He said he put a bandage on the leg and gave the cat “water and love” and it has now healed. He confirmed that he had received no medication from the vet.”

Inspector Ellis then took Misho to be assessed by a vet where the vet confirmed he had a broken femur which had not healed and was still causing the cat pain. An X-ray was taken and the vet advised that the leg would need to be amputated.

The court heard how the vet report stated that Misho was in a good body condition, with a left femoral fracture which resulted in an abnormal gait and an obvious lameness. The end of the fracture was also not in correct alignment and there was movement of bones at the fracture site.

The report continued: “It is clear from both examination of the cat and the radiographic examination that Misho has a fractured femur. While I would not expect a lay person to be able to make that diagnosis, it was plainly obvious to any reasonable person he was lame and walking abnormally. The changes seen indicate that this injury has been present for several months, but it is not possible from the x-rays or clinical examination to be more specific as to a time frame for the injury. Leaving this fracture to heal will inevitably lead to prolonged unnecessary suffering and result in a mal union that will inevitably leave the cat with chronic residual pain when weight bearing. I am therefore of the opinion that this cat has suffered considerable unnecessary suffering in the form of pain over several months as a result of the owner’s failure to treat the leg appropriately.”

In mitigation, Siddique said he felt he had looked after Misho and was worried that a vet would have put Misho to sleep.

Sadly Misho was put to sleep for severe behavioural issues which meant he would not have been able to be rehomed.

Sentencing: 12 month community order with 275 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £215 in costs and a £95 surcharge. He was also banned from keeping all animals indefinitely and he cannot appeal this for a period of at least three years.

Telegraph & Argus

Dogs

Haslingden, Lancashire: Ebony Cartwright-Horrocks

November 19, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Ebony Louise Cartwright-Horrocks, born c. 1997, of Cedar Avenue, Haslingden, Rossendale BB4 5NH – kept two German shepherd puppies in appalling conditions.

Convicted animal abuser Ebony Cartwright-Horrocks from Haslingden. Photo: Facebook

An RSPCA officer and a police officer were almost overcome by ammonia fumes from urine when they entered a house to investigate the treatment of two German shepherd puppies.

The fumes made the RSPCA officer’s eyes water and the police officer was struggling to breathe and had to leave the property.

The floor of the property was described as covered in dog faeces and wet as a result of urine.

A subsequent examination of the puppies showed that one of them had swallowed a nail.

Ebony Louise Cartwright-Horrocks, who is in receipt of Universal Credit, told the court she had paid £3,200 for the animals.

She was convicted in her absence of failing to ensure the welfare of animals in her care.

Paul Ridehalgh, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said on March 23, 2021, an RSPCA inspector had visited the property.

It smelled strongly of ammonia and he had given Cartwright-Horrocks advice on the conditions the 14-week-old male dogs were being kept in.

Two weeks later another inspector attended with police and a housing officer from the local authority and found conditions had not improved.

The vet who examined the dogs said the ammonia would have had the same effect on the animals as it had on the humans who entered the property.

“He concluded the person responsible had failed to provide a suitable environment for the animals,” said Mr Ridehalgh.

When she was interviewed Cartwright-Horrocks admitted owning the animals and said they were kept in the living room and kitchen.

“She admitted leaving the house between 11am and 6pm most days and during this time the dogs toileted in the house,” said Mr Ridehalgh.

“The dogs have now been signed over to the RSPCA and I would ask you to consider your powers to prohibit her from keeping or controlling animals.”

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said his client had been “completely unprepared” for the care and attention the two young dogs would naturally demand of their owner.

“It is not a case where she has starved them or failed to take them to the vets,” said Mr Nightingale.

“It is just the appalling conditions in which they were living.”

Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £534. Banned from keeping or controlling animals for 10 years (expires November 2031).

Lancashire Telegraph

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

Lincoln, Lincolnshire: Loizos Ydraiou

November 18, 2021 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Loizos Ydraiou, born September 1998, of Arboretum Avenue, Lincoln LN2 5JE – subjected his dog to a violent attack which included attempted strangulation.

Lurcher Oscar was subjected to a sadistic attack by his evil owner, Ydraiou.

Ydraiou, who works as a chef, was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence and disqualified from keeping all animals for five years, after inflicting violence on a dog — including strangling him.

An expert vet said in their report that when they examined Oscar he had bloodshot eyes. He also demonstrated pain on manipulation of his neck, and there was tenderness and swelling around the throat.

The fur around Oscar’s neck was shaved to enable it to be examined further, and the vet found bruising over his laryngeal area.

Ydraiou pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a lurcher dog by inflicting violence resulting in physical and mental trauma.

The court heard the RSPCA was provided with a video which appeared to show Oscar being strangled. RSPCA Inspector Laura Jones attended the location on April 16, 2021, with a signed vet certificate along with the police.

They met with the defendant who had the dog and the police took the dog into their possession. Oscar was then taken to a vet for examination.

RSPCA Inspector Jones said: “The male appears to remove some sort of cord from the top of his garden fence metal railing, he appears to wrap this cord around both his hands and pull it taught between his hands.

“It was about a foot in length when pulled taught between the male’s fists.

“He then enters a brick shed type outbuilding, you hear a dog yelp and bark from inside this outbuilding, then the male lifts a black smooth haired dog with white chest markings off its feet by its throat from out of the outbuilding and swings its full body weight mid air by its neck.

“I could clearly hear the dog gurgle and make a definite choking noise.

“The male then places the dog on to the ground in a sitting position still with his hands around the dog’s throat.

“The male straddles the dog from behind using his body to restrain the dog, he looks to be squeezing the dog’s throat area with both hands with force.

“This male then removes his left hand, the dog is now quiet, the male then lowers the dog’s head to the ground, the dog appears motionless.”

The vet said although the video shows Oscar suffering for only a short period of time, they did not feel this diminishes the act of cruelty he suffered.

The vet’s report stated: “It is my professional opinion that Oscar was caused to suffer firstly through being carried by his neck and then through the application of pressure to his throat.

“The sound Oscar makes after he has been moved outside and immediately prior to his dropping to the ground are hard to listen to and thankfully not often heard, but are consistent with him having an obstructed airway.

“Oscar appeared to be being strangled and in my opinion this would have been both painful and terrifying.”

Oscar has since been signed over to the care of the RSPCA and has now found a loving new home.

Sentencing: 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months; 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days; 100 hours of unpaid work; total of £528 costs and charges. Five-year ban (expires November 2026).

The Lincolnite

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Monthly Archives: November 2021