CONVICTED (2023) | Ross Jan Stone, born March 1983, of Trenance Downs, St. Austell, PL25 5RH – for cruelty to his pet lurcher.
Stone, drug dealer once implicated in a 2012 double murder case, who was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the tan lurcher-type dog, known as Taz, by failing to investigate and address the causes of her poor bodily condition and weight loss.
He was convicted on one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and one count of failing to ensure the welfare of an animal for which he was responsible.
The offences took place between June 20 and July 20, 2022, in St Austell.
It has not been reported if the dog survived.
Stone pleaded not guilty to both offences but was eventually found guilty.
Sentencing | eight-week curfew; mental health treatment; rehabilitation; costs of £1,040 and victim surcharge of £114. No mention of a ban.
CONVICTED (2023) | Jermaine Joshua Henderson, born 30 September 1994, of 1 Cherry Tree Way, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6JG – allowed his French bulldog to become emaciated and dragging her limbs.
The French bulldog, named Jada, was found underweight and dragging her hind limbs when an RSPCA officer visited Henderson’s home in Cherry Tree Way, Horwich, in August 2022. It was discovered the dog was suffering from several chronic and severe health conditions, which should have been treated by a vet.
Henderson had taken the dog to a vet appointment at the Animal Trust on March 4, 2022, after she suddenly lost the use of her back legs. Apart from oral pain relief, the dog was then left with no medical intervention for the next five months.
When RSPCA worker Jessica Pierce visited Henderson’s address on August 13, 2022, she was “extremely concerned” for the dog’s welfare.
Little Jada was put to sleep after Jermaine Henderson left her to suffer without treatment for several months
In a statement read out in court, she said: “The defendant opened a door of a room to the front of the flat and I immediately got a smell of faeces and urine.
“Jada appeared visibly underweight with her ribs, hips and spine bones showing.
“She could not walk very well at all and her back legs were crossing over and dragging behind her. I asked her owner if she had been to the vet and he stated she had been to the Animal Trust, but he couldn’t remember when this was, although he confirmed she wasn’t currently under a vet.”
A vet at the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital said in a statement presented to the court that a cervical intervertebral disc prolapse was considered as a diagnosis at the consultation in March. She said that though the vet at that appointment offered further investigations, the owner declined on the grounds of cost.
“While Mr Henderson did present Jada to a vet due to her serious neurological condition, he subsequently failed to present her again when she did not rapidly return to normal, along with the other clinical concerns identified, particularly the ear disease,” she stated.
Sadly, with her prognosis being so poor, vets decided to put her to sleep to end her suffering.
A post-mortem showed the dog was suffering with spinal cord compression with subsequent nerve loss contributing to muscle wastage in her back legs. She also had a severe infection and inflammation of her ear structures.
Henderson was prosecuted by the RSPCA and pleaded guilty to one charge under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He appeared for sentencing at Wigan Magistrates’ Court on December 14, 2023.
Sentencing | four-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; £400 court costs and victim surcharge of £154. Disqualified from keeping animals for five years (expires December 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Daniel Banham, born 6 September 1999, of Carters Hill Park traveller site, Carters Hill, Billingbear, Wokingham RG40 5QL – left his horse to suffer with a painful untreated skin condition.
Daniel Banham received a suspended prison sentence and eight-year ban on keeping horses following his mistreatment of an unnamed colt
Banham, a traveller, was visited by the RSPCA after calls of concern over a young horse in Fordingbridge in Hampshire who had severe skin lesions over his body. The lesions were crusty, the skin was dry, red and painful.
The horse was signed over to the RSPCA and can now be rehomed following his recovery
A vet carried out an examination of the unnamed horse and found him to be in a suffering state.
Banham was asked about the skin condition and said he thought it was rain scald so had used coconut oil on the lesions.
In their report, the vet said: “This horse was suffering from the consequences of inadequate management. The poor management led to dehydration, malnutrition, painful skin condition and severe liver disease that can have life-threatening consequences.
“He failed in his duty by failing to seek veterinary help for his horse’s very obvious and severe skin condition and concerning weight loss.
“Added to this his choice to apply coconut oil to his skin significantly increased this animal’s pain and suffering by conducting and amplifying the sun’s heat onto his severely damaged skin.”
RSPCA Inspector Tina Ward, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.
“They are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.
“Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them. It’s so sad that, in this instance, that responsibility was not met.”
The horse was also signed over into the care of the RSPCA and can now be rehomed.
Sentencing | eight-week custodial suspended for 12 months; 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days; £300 costs and £154 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping horses for eight years.
CONVICTED (2023) | Jay Joseph Patrick Mayor-Carty, born December 1995, of Hedge Lane, Palmers Green, Enfield N13, but with links to Lower Edmonton, London and Southampton – filmed slamming a dog onto a balcony floor.
Kobe was nursed back to health in the RSPCA’s care and returned to his owner after she and Jay Mayor-Carty had gone their separate ways
Mayor-Carty, a former company director and self-styled “entrepreneur”, was found guilty at Willesden Magistrates Court of causing unnecessary suffering to a French bulldog called Kobe.
The RSPCA was called in after Mayor-Carty was filmed slamming the dog down onto a balcony floor at Waldegrave Point, Green Street, Park Royal, Willesden, three times and possibly stamping on the dog on August 6, 2022.
When RSPCA Inspector Francesca Tambini arrived at the address later that day, Kobe was present
Kobe belonged to Mayor-Carty’s then girlfriend, but he was apparently looking after him while she was away for a few days.
Kobe appeared to have very red eyes, which Mayor-Carty claimed was due to heatstroke.
Suspecting a more sinister reason Inspector Tambini attended with police the next day to take the dog to the vet.
When the inspector and police arrived, the dog’s owner had since returned and said Kobe was being treated for skin allergies.
The vet confirmed that the haemorrhaging and swelling of Kobe’s eyes were not consistent with heatstroke or allergies, and that he was fearful and head shy when being examined.
The vet suspected injuries caused by blunt force trauma and concluded that he had suffered for a number of days.
An expert vet confirmed that the severity of the injuries was not consistent with an allergy, heatstroke or the dog running into another dog or hard object.
He added: “In my opinion Kobe was caused to suffer due to the person responsible for the welfare of this animal failing to seek prompt veterinary advice regarding the eye condition.”
Mayor-Carty and Kobe’s owner have since split up and Kobe was returned to her following recovery.
The RSPCA said Mayor-Carty denied slamming the dog into the balcony three times but accepted that he was found guilty of this.
Inspector Tambini said: “This was an awful case, Kobe had suffered terrible cruelty at the hands of a man who was supposed to be caring for him while his owner was absent.
“His owner had no idea that her partner was capable of such a violent act.
“Witnesses described seeing him being slammed onto the ground three times and possibly stamped on.
“His injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma and it’s clear he would have suffered, especially given the lack of vet attention following the incident.
“We’re pleased that Kobe is now safe.”
Sentencing | 12 month community order, with 150 hours of unpaid work and 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.Banned from keeping pets for ten years (expires December 2033).
CONVICTED (2023) | Natalie Greenaway, born 30 September 1981 and Geoffrey Greenaway, age tbc, of 39 West Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2DB – failed to provide urgent veterinary care for their elderly dog.
Cruel couple Natalie and Geoff Greenaway are banned for life after caused appalling suffering to their elderly pet dog
The RSPCA attended the couple’s address in June 2023 where they were shown Taz who was in a very poor condition.
She was severely underweight with a body condition score of 0.5/5.. Her hips, spine and ribs were all clearly visible.
Both back legs looked to be deformed at the stifle joints. She had very little to no muscle coverage.
Tragic dog Taz was in immense pain due to her multiple health issues
Taz was signed over to the RSPCA and taken to a vet to be examined where it was evident that she was gravely unwell.
She was underweight and had multiple pressure sores; many nails were growing into her pads and her back legs were weak and stiff.
She had horrendous teeth with food and hair stuck in them, bad ears, fleas and untreated cruciate ligaments.
As a result of these clinical findings, the vet stated Taz was suffering and immediate pain relief was given.
Following a full clinical examination, the vet concluded Taz was in pain associated with pressure sores, dental disease and ingrown nails – her state of emaciation was adding to her suffering.
Sadly, Taz was in such a poor state of health, a vet decided to put her to sleep to end to her suffering.
In mitigation, the Greenaways conceded they could have done significantly more to address their loyal pet’s deteriorating health. They said they had buried their heads in the sand in the hope things would get better.
The court heard that Natalie Greenaway had “mental health” issues and had suffered a family bereavement.
Speaking after the case Inspector Emma Beynon said: “This suffering could have been prevented by adequate attention and appropriate veterinary treatment.
“It is vital owners provide veterinary care should their animal need it – which was not the case for poor Taz.”
Sentencing | each received an 18-week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months; 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement; 150 hours of unpaid work; £150 cost and £154 victim surcharge. Both were banned from keeping all animals for life.
CONVICTED (2023) | hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson, born 28 May 1959, and John Howard, born 15 November 1951, previously of Eastville, Bristol and now of Trallwyn, Abernant, Carmarthen SA33 5RL – kept 48 severely neglected dogs in a “house of horrors”.
Pet hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard received a five-year ban on keeping animals after 48 neglected dogs and a cat were found in filthy conditions at their home
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben described the scene of shocking neglect that confronted him during his first visit to the remote property shared by Beverly Gilson and John Howard. He said: “I could hear a large amount of dogs inside and when entering the kitchen area found there to be many dogs kept in cages, some stacked on top of each other, other dogs were running loose in the house.
“The conditions in the kitchen area were in a poor state with many of the dogs having matted coats and no bedding in their cages, some dogs had water provided by rabbit bottles attached to the cages.
“The smell of dog faeces and urine was overpowering, the room was dark with very little natural light coming in and the dogs were barking constantly.
“I noticed one dog in particular being kept in a small rodent cage and this dog was continually spinning in the cage, there was little room for anything else in this cage.
“Many of the dogs in these cages had faeces present that had not been cleaned out and there was faeces trodden into the floor of the kitchen area.”
“In the living room several more dogs were found in cages in similar conditions as found in the kitchen. Here there was no carpet and a “strong smell of dog faeces and urine.”
In three of the upstairs rooms he found dogs to be present – two of these rooms were three bearded collie type dogs. In the third bedroom there were five dogs in cages in similar conditions to downstairs. Inspector Hogben added that there were several dogs loose in this bedroom with “obvious matted coats”.
“The smell of urine and faeces in this third bedroom was one of the worst I have smelt in my near-24 years with the RSPCA,” he said.
Dozens of dogs were being kept in filthy conditions without access to fresh air, veterinarian care, or a proper water supply
“There was no window open and when I opened the door to this bedroom I was taken aback by the smell, it made me cough and retch.”
He explained to Gilson and Howard that the conditions were unacceptable and many of the dogs were in a suffering state and a vet needed to examine the dogs.
Two days later Inspector Hogben returned with a vet and RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper.
Inspector Hogben said: “Many of the dogs from upstairs on my last visit were now downstairs and there were still a large amount of dogs in cages. The smell of urine, faeces was again overpowering even though Beverly Gilson had opened windows.”
Many of the dogs had matted coats, 17 had skin disease and 26 had eye conditions
The vet informed him that the animals needed to be removed. Throughout that day each dog was brought out of the property and examined by the vet.
“Many of these dogs were in a poor condition with heavily matted coats, overgrown nails and some had eye issues, there was also an unpleasant smell coming from the dogs,” said inspector Hogben.
In total 39 dogs were signed over to the RSPCA for rehoming – with Hope Rescue and The Dogs Trust attending to assist with 21 of the dogs. Gilson and Howard decided they wanted to keep nine dogs and the cat – but would voluntarily allow the RSPCA to remove them from the property as they did not want police attendance.
Sadly the cat – who was very poorly – was put to sleep on welfare grounds and two dogs were also put to sleep on veterinary advice – with permission sought from the owner.
The RSPCA said it was initially difficult to determine the breed of the some of the dogs due to the matted and filthy condition of their coats
In a written statement from DCI Cooper she said when she entered the property “the foul smell hit me and as I got even further into the property, my eyes started to water.
She added: “I have been an RSPCA Inspector for 12 years and I can’t remember the last time a property made my eyes water like this.
“The house was extremely chaotic with dogs barking and running everywhere. Near to the front door was a heavily matted, white, toy poodle type dog standing on a table that Beverly Gilson was in the middle of grooming. I could see fleas crawling all over her and she was trembling. Her skin looked pink and she appeared extremely uncomfortable.
“There were approximately 18 dogs in the first room, some free roaming and some in cages. There were puppy pads placed on the floor and inside the crates; urine was seen on many of the pads as well as on the floor of the house.
“Dog faeces, some that had been trod in by other dogs, was also seen on the floor throughout the property.
“The dogs in the crates had no access to a comfortable resting area or a separate toileting area and shockingly, they had access to water through a rabbit drinking bottle.
“In the kitchen area there were approximately 30 dogs, again some free roaming and many in crates. Many of the dogs were very nervous and others jumped up at the crate, craving attention. I noted one dog was spinning in her crate.”
DCI Cooper added that many of the dogs “were so badly matted” she had trouble identifying their breed.
“One dog was clearly in pain, screaming as the veterinary surgeon examined him and the screaming went right through me. It was awful to listen to,” she said.
The dogs ranged from poodles, Japanese chins, rough collies, Pekingese, chihuahuas, shih tzus and a lot of crosses between these breeds, with one RSPCA rescuer having trouble identifying the breeds due to their matted coats.
The dogs that were signed over into RSPCA care and other charities have now been happily rehomed.
Sentencing | 15-week custodial suspended for nine months; 15 days of rehabilitation; 50 hours of unpaid work; £400 each; FIVE-year ban on keeping all animals (expires December 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Lucas Slim-Fitzpatrick born 6 November 1996, most recently of Regent Street, Weston-super-Mare but with links to Plymouth, Saltash, Taunton and Wolverhampton – subjected an bull-breed puppy to a catalogue of violence.
Slim-Fitzpatrick, who promotes himself on TikTok as a mental health expert and also likes to showcase his ‘kindness’ to homeless people, was prosecuted by the RSPCA for assaulting and neglecting the 10-month-old bull-breed called Luna in Plymouth between June 1 and December 1, 2022,
He pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on December 7, 2023.
He inflicted “blunt force trauma, physical violence and multiple injuries of a non-accidental nature”.
Luna was repeatedly beaten and suffered multiple fractures during her time with sadistic Lucas Slim-Fitpatrick
He also failed to take steps to ensure the needs of Luna were met by not protecting her from “pain, suffering and injury and disease” and failed to provide “proper and necessary veterinary care and attention” for her injuries.
A vet who examined Luna said the dog had suffered blunt force trauma injuries in at least three separate incidents.
The RSPCA was shown doorbell footage from November 30, 2022 which showed Slim-Fitzpatrick riding his electric scooter in Mutley. while holding onto the lead of the dog, who was trying to follow behind.
A witness who contacted the police said he heard an animal in distress at the back of Slim-Fitzpatrick’s former address in Greenbank Road in Plymouth minutes later, the RSPCA said.
The court was told the witness saw Slim-Fitzpatrick “staggering around” on the scooter while talking aggressively to the dog before picking her up with both hands and throwing her six feet in the direction of a wall. He was later arrested.
When he was interviewed by police in December 2022, the defendant claimed Luna’s injuries – a broken left hip and pelvis, fractured jaw, cheekbone and wrists, three broken ribs, three broken teeth and a bloodshot eye – were caused by Luna being hit by a car and kicked by a horse.
He said her bloodshot eye was the result of her being attacked by a Jack Russell dog.
But RSPCA prosecutor Gregory Gordon told the court: “Expert veterinary evidence disproved the defendant’s various claims of accidental injury to Luna. For example, if she had been struck by a vehicle, there would have been evidence of skin abrasions or lacerations, and grit or oil in her hair.
“Radiographs indicated Luna’s different fractures were at different stages of healing, meaning that the injuries occurred on different dates. It has not been possible to identify the number of separate incidents from the injuries alone, but records indicate that injuries were sustained by Luna on at least three separate occasions, including June 29 and August 2 last year.”
On both of these dates, the defendant had been in contact with vets. However, in June 2022 he declined the vet’s recommendation that Luna undergo surgery for wrist fractures, citing the cost. He then failed to attend appointments to rebandage her wounds, instead using a pencil and sock as a homemade splint.
In August he phoned the vet to report Luna was eating painfully, but then failed to keep an appointment.
When RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albison attempted to make contact with the defendant in March and July this year to interview him about the allegations, he claimed he did not have a fixed address, but that he was staying with a friend in Birmingham.
In a statement read to the court, the inspector said: “The defendant said he was aware the RSPCA had been visiting his address, but that he was not prepared to be interviewed.
“I told him Luna was still in our care as he had not responded to my request to confirm we could rehome her. He became angry and said he thought he had already given permission and the dog was no longer anything to do with him.”
In mitigation, the court was told Slim-Fitzpatrick had experienced a troubled background and had spent time in the care system.
A judge said he had shown little remorse for his actions and told him: “This was prolonged, lengthy violence towards an animal in your care who should have been protected by you rather than becoming your punchbag.”
Luna was signed into the care of the RSPCA on July 5, 2023. The charity said she had recovered from her ‘horrific’ ordeal in their care. She was rehomed after undergoing surgery and extensive rehabilitation work to regain the use of her back leg.
Speaking after the sentencing, inspector Albison said: “The assaults carried out by this defendant on this poor dog started when she was a 10-week old puppy and continued until she was 10 months old. It was absolutely horrific as she was repeatedly beaten and suffered many fractures.
“Luna had surgery on her femoral head and that saved her back leg as the other option was amputation. Happily she is now doing very well and we have been able to rehome her.
“Without being provided with the Ring Doorbell footage by a member of the public we wouldn’t have been able to prosecute the defendant as he denied being in that area of Plymouth at the time of the assault allegation.”
Sentencing | 14-month custodial sentences to run concurrently on each of the three animal welfare offences and a further five-month prison sentence, to be served consecutively, for his breach of a suspended sentence imposed for an unrelated matter. Banned from owning animals for 20 years.
CONVICTED (2023) | Viktorija Elksnite, born 9 May 2001, of Morley Street, Goole DN14 5TR* – left her two cats without food or water for several days at a time.
Viktorija Elksnite’s starving cats were seen clawing at a window after being left unattended with no food or water in kitchen full of poo
Latvian national Elksnite pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to cats Bellis and Minnie.
The court was told she left the felines unattended over a number of days without food and water. Bellis was found very underweight and dehydrated, while Minnie was also underweight when the RSPCA gained entry to her property in December 2022.
Elksnite had received previous RSPCA warnings about leaving her pets unattended but when RSPCA animal rescue officer Olivia Farrar visited her home on a follow-up visit on November 28, 2022, the defendant was out and Bellis was clawing at the window in a distressed state.
The animal rescue officer made several more visits to the property, but on each occasion Elksnite had left the cats unattended.
Another RSPCA inspector managed to feed one of the cats through the letterbox when she called at the property on December 4, 2023
RSPCA inspector Tom Hutton, who had made two previous visits to check on the welfare of the cats, returned with the police and a council officer to gain access on December 14
He found Bellis in a faeces-strewn living room in which there were two empty bowls, while Minnie was in the kitchen where again there was no sign of food or water, but a litter tray full of faeces.
The inspector said in a statement presented to the court: “Bellis was bright, active and alert but in a poor body condition in a living room in which there were two bowls but neither had any food or water in them. In the kitchen was the small female cat, Minnie, who was also in poor body condition.
The inspector took the cats to a local veterinary practice for treatment.
A vet, who examined both cats, said in his expert report that Bellis was emaciated with a body condition score of two out of nine and was also very dehydrated. Minnie scored four out of nine on the body condition chart.
Elksnite’s pets suffered due to her “chaotic lifestyle”
In mitigation, the court was told that Elksnite was remorseful and was living a “chaotic lifestyle” at the time of the offences, but had now left an abusive relationship. She was staying at addresses in Goole and Bridlington, where she was working, and thought she had made “appropriate arrangements” for the care of her cats when she was away.
Both Bellis and Minnie were signed over into the care of the RSPCA and have recovered from their ordeal. The animal charity will now look to rehome both of them.
Sentencing | £120 fine, £400 court costs, victim surcharge of £48. well Five-year ban on keeping animals (expires December 2028),
Viktorija Elksnite’s family home is at 36 Marshfield Avenue, Goole DN14 5JH. Source: Electoral Roll.
She has no trouble finding time in the midst of her chaotic lifestyle to make hilarious “funny couple” videos with her long-term boyfriend (not sure if this is the one she said she was in an “abusive” relationship with). Their TikTok channel is here and Facebook page here.
CONVICTED (2023) | father and son wildlife persecutors Robert Mills, born c. 1956, and Jack Mills, born c. 2001, both of Little Orchard, Exted, Elham, Canterbury CT4 6YG – used superglue to patch up the wounds of a dog forced to fight a fox.
Jack Mills (left), his father Robert Mills (centre) and an as yet unidentified Kent Hounds terrierman. Photo credit: West Kent Hunt Sabs
Robert and Jack Mills, who are believed to be terriermen with the Kent Hounds, used the strong commercial adhesive in a botched DIY effort to put the Patterdale terrier’s lip back together after she was maimed during the illegal chase.
The terrier, known as Fudge, was one of two dogs discovered with shocking injuries at the pair’s family home in Elham, near Canterbury.
The other, a lurcher called Rose, had extensive scars across her face, a large part of her tongue missing and she had a weeping nailbed on one of her paws.
Photo credit: Kent Online. Robert Mills is pictured outside court (left)
The Mills had allowed the animals to suffer without seeking proper treatment for their injuries.
Incriminating messages – including a photo of a smiling Jack Mills posing with a dead fox – were found during examinations of their mobile photos.
In court, both men pleaded to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The court was told police executed a warrant at their home on January 18, 2023, as part of an RSPCA investigation known as Operation Aurora.
In a statement provided to the court, RSPCA special operations officer Jason Bowles, said: “Rose from kennel A had a large part of the skin around her lower jaw missing and part of her tongue. Her feet were discoloured. She had extensive scarring to her face and muzzle.
“Fudge from kennel A had part of her lower jaw in an unusual state in that it looked to have been injured in the past and had healed in an odd shape and she had scarring to the muzzle.
“There was a strong smell of ammonia in the building but I took into consideration that this was early in the morning, possibly before an early morning routine had been executed.
“Bedding was inadequate in all kennels in that they did have hard beds but only remnants of straw in some.
“Water bowls were present but at least one kennel only had remnants of water. Bowls could easily be knocked over and spills take place. Empty bowls were refilled.”
Of the five dogs kept in kennels in the outbuilding, two of them – Rose and Fudge – were seized.
The court was shown messages discussing how Robert and Jack Mills had used glue to try to repair degloved tissue on a dog’s lip after she had been injured by a fox. No pain relief had been sought
Recounting the notes of an expert veterinarian who examined the animals, prosecutor Janet Patel told magistrates: “There was damage to the skin of Rose’s lower jaw with the site of a deep tear or cut visible on the lower jaw and a loss of the lip margin contiguity.
“A significant amount of the tongue had been lost in a surgical or traumatic incident. The lesions are consistent with those that could be received in a fight between this dog and a large mammal such as a dog, fox, or badger.”
The vet added that a nail was missing on Rose’s left paw, oozing fluid and causing clear pain to the dog.
Fudge was found to have suffered significant damage to his face and head, and was missing a number of front teeth.
“The person caring for Fudge cut off some tissue, used commercial superglue to try and repair degloved tissue on her face and did not administer any pain medication,” the prosecutor added.
Messages shared between Robert and Jack Mills – both bricklayers by trade – described the dogs being used to hunt foxes.
Records from their phones indicated Fudge was caused harm in November 2021.
The vet added: “The entries, dated 16.11.2021, lead me to believe that Fudge was involved in a fight with a mammal such as a fox, large dog, or badger.
“The use of the word ‘hangin’ implies the lower jaw has been degloved to some extent, leaving the tissue literally hanging. There are two more statements. Firstly, that super glue has been used to try and put it back together and secondly that some of the flesh has been cut away.” This referred to a message, containing a typo, which said: “I just cut a bit of.”
Fudge had significant facial injuries and was missing several front teeth
The vet continued: “To advise the court in this matter I am forming my opinion on the basis that the person caring for Fudge cut off some tissue, used commercial super glue to try and repair the degloved tissue and did not administer any medication.”
Another mobile phone message discovered by officers read: “Had any joy with the fox?”
A picture of a dead fox was also shared with the words: “Went out this morning, Fudge killed it.”
Rose had a swollen toe with a nail missing. The vet that examined her said she vocalised her pain during examination
Ms Patel added: “That is the language of both Jack and Robert tracking and killing foxes, and it is not them flushing a fox out so that it can be killed humanely with a pistol.
“Both Jack and Robert Mills have shown deliberate disregard for the welfare of animals by placing them in situations where they sustained these horrific injuries.”
When questioned by police, Robert said that the dogs’ facial injuries had occurred when Rose and Fudge encountered a badger in the garden and that both dogs had been attacked by a rabbit.
But his son contradicted that claim in an interview, saying that neither dog had ever come across a badger.
Mitigating, solicitor Sam Harkness told the bench both men were remorseful.
“Mr Mills says he has owned dogs all his life. He deeply regrets his actions and Mr Mills Junior says this is a steep learning curve,” said Mr Harkness.
“They are both devastated that they have been involved in these proceedings, but they have cooperated.”
The charges related specifically to Fudge’s facial injury and the wound to Rose’s foot, which was sustained in the days before the police visit in January 2023.
During a discussion about the prospect of both defendants being banned from keeping any animals, the pair were seen intensely shaking their heads.
Sentencing the pair, chairwoman of the bench Patricia Light told them they had “broken the custody threshold because there is more than one dog with deliberate suffering,”
She added: “The fact that you have access to a vet and financial means to pay for treatment and yet still did not seek treatment shows deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animals.”
She continued: “We are also granting a deprivation order for Fudge and Rose and the RSPCA will seize your other dogs.
“We are also granting a disqualification order for both of you in relation to owning, keeping, or participating in controlling or transporting any animals for five years, no application may be made to appeal this for two years.”
Rose and Fudge, who have remained with the RSPCA since January 2023, can now be rehomed.
The Mills’ other three dogs will be seized within 14 days, with magistrates also giving them two weeks to rehome a number of chickens and ferrets.
Sentencing | 23-week custodial, suspended for two years; 150 hours of unpaid work; £500 costs and £154 surcharge each. Five year ban in relation to all animals, but can appeal after two years (expires December 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Josh Mark Rowles, born 19 February 1997, of Matthew Street, Dyfatty, Swansea SA1 1PT – punched a young French bulldog puppy to death.
Rowles lost his temper with the puppy, known as Hugo, after the dog bit him while they were ‘nuzzling’ on the bed
A post mortem carried out on Hugo following his death concluded he had been hit with “considerable” force.
Victim Hugo
Jon Tarrant, prosecuting, said the incident happened at Rowles’ home on the morning of April 29, 2023. He said the defendant awoke to find Hugo on his bed, and he and the dog began to “nuzzle”. The pup then bit Rowles on the lip, and Rowles responded by punching the dog.
The court heard the dog’s condition started to deteriorate over the following 10 minutes and he was seen to start panting.
The defendant rang his ex-partner, who told him to take the animal to the PDSA vets – but Hugo had already died before they reached the clinic.
The vet advised Rowles to contact the RSPCA, who collected Hugo’s body and began an investigation.
The pup’s remains were sent to Liverpool University for a post mortem.
In the meantime Rowles was invited to attend a voluntary interview with the RSPCA during which he said he had woken up to find Hugo on his chest and while he and dog were “nuzzling” the puppy had bitten his lip and he gave the animal “a clip”. He later told an officer that after Hugo bit him he carried the pup to his bed and threw him down before punching him to the side of his body.
The prosecutor said based on disclosures made in interview, evidence from the vets, and the results of the post mortem it was concluded there had been a punch to the head and a punch to the ribs of the puppy, and that the defendant “must have used considerable force”.
In court Rowles, a convicted heroin dealer and former member of an organised crime group, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
His last conviction was for a public order matter some three days before the fatal blow to the dog.
2018 police mugshot of Josh Rowles
John Allchurch, for Rowles, said his client and his ex had owned a French bulldog that had a litter of five puppies. After the couple split his client had kept one of the pups namely Hugo. He said the defendant had had Hugo for five or months before the incident in question.
Allchurch said Rowles had co-operated with the RSPCA investigation and been candid during his interview.
The advocate said Rowles had also been candid with the author of his pre-sentence report about needing help to address his consumption of alcohol.
Judge Catherine Richards told Rowles he had committed a “brutal offence” against his dog which had resulted in his death. She said the “easy” thing to do would be to send the defendant to prison to mark society’s disapproval of what he had done but she noted the “genuine” remorse he had expressed in the pre-sentence report and the steps he had already taken to address his issues around anger and alcohol.
The judge said the appropriate sentence on the guidelines was six months in custody – with a one-third discount for his guilty plea.
Sentencing | four months in prison suspended for 12 months; rehabilitation; 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. Banned from keeping any animal for the next five years (expires December 2028).
