CONVICTED (2015) | Shaun Leo Marshall Hearne, born 26/05/1994, of Isgraig, Burry Port SA16 0DE – kept four dogs in a van covered in faeces and failed to feed them properly
Career crook Hearne pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The court heard RSPCA inspectors had visited the defendant on March 4, 2014, after reports of dogs in a poor condition being held in a white van.
“When they found the animals they noticed some were very thin and some were in a reasonable condition,” the prosecutor said.
He added that there was no water found for the dogs.
Inspectors were called out due to the weather and the “overpowering smell of excrement”.
“Hearne was told that it was unacceptable and he promised to keep them in a better location,” the prosecutor said.
However when they returned three days later they found the same four dogs in the van and the smell was even stronger. At this point the vet and police were contacted.
“Mr Hearne was cautioned and at that time he said ‘get out of my face or I will put you on the floor’,” he said.
Mr Tarrant said: “The floor was covered in excrement and it stung the inspector’s eyes and it made breathing difficult.”
The court heard that all four animals were seized.
Two dogs were found to be seriously underweight and had pressure sores due to a lack of adequate bedding.
Within a month, the two animals had seen their body weight increase by 30%, simply through nourishment.
Sentence: 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, total of £1,560 in costs and charges. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expired February 2020).
Source: Llanelli Star Facebook post (article removed)
Update September 2021
Hearne pleaded guilty to being involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was jailed for eight years and eight months.
Source: Dyfed-Powys Police