Category Archives: Euthanasia Failures

Animal Abandonment, Birds, Commercial / Institutional Exploitation, Denial of Veterinary Treatment, England, Equine, Euthanasia Failures, Knacker Yards / Horse Disposal, News, Starvation / Malnutrition, Unfit Living Conditions, West Midlands, Worst of the Worst

Brownhills, West Midlands: Robert Walker and Lynne Chetter

September 27, 2026 misanthropic 1 Comment

Side‑by‑side images showing two individuals: a woman facing the camera and a man standing outdoors beside a car. These are Robert Walker and Lynne Chetter, convicted of animal neglect charges at their business MHS Horse Disposals. — Robert Walker and Lynne Chetter, operators of MHS Horse Disposal, convicted of multiple Animal Welfare Act offences.

Case Summary

Sick, elderly and vulnerable horses sent to MHS Horse Disposal for humane euthanasia were instead left to suffer in appalling conditions.

Environmental health officers and the RSPCA found carcass bins overflowing, equines left loose in fields in distress, and other animals — including a blind duck with a broken leg and an injured turkey — kept in filthy, untreated conditions.

Underweight pony seized from MHS Horse Disposal alongside other neglected equines.

Several horses were so underweight and neglected that vets ordered immediate euthanasia.

The business operates from Streetway Farm in Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire, a site already known for serious animal welfare concerns due to its long‑standing association with circus big cats kept in cramped, inadequate conditions.

The defendants’ neglect occurred in a commercial setting where animals should have had a dignified end.

Offender Overview

Robert Walker

Name: Robert Walker
Born: 10 October 1946
Age at Conviction: 79
Last Known Address: Friezland Lane, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 7DA
Occupation: Co‑owner/operator, MHS Horse Disposals
Previous Convictions: Unknown
Additional Information: Elderly; mitigation referenced poor health.

Lynne Chetter

Name: Lynne Chetter
Born: 11 October 1961
Age at Conviction: 64
Last Known Address: Friezland Lane, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 7DA
Occupation: Co‑owner/operator, MHS Horse Disposals
Previous Convictions: Unknown
Additional Information: Owned the duck and turkey found suffering at the site.

Incident Details

MHS Horse Disposal operates from Streetway Farm, Watling Street, Cannock WS11 8LX, a location with a long history of animal welfare controversy.

A green sign reading “MHS Horse Disposal – Licensed by DEFRA” displayed at the entrance of the premises involved in the animal neglect case.

The farm previously housed circus lions and tigers belonging to the Chipperfield family, kept in cramped cages on trailers beside the M6 toll road.

Investigations by Animal Defenders International documented big cats confined to grubby transport containers, limited exercise, muddy quagmire conditions, and inadequate space — all while the site also hosted an abattoir marked “MHS Horse Disposal.”

This background reflects a pattern of poor welfare standards at the premises.

On 5 July 2024, environmental health officers and the RSPCA attended the knacker yard and found:

A white duck stands inside a dirty wooden hutch with a muddy floor and a bowl of murky water, highlighting severe neglect and inadequate living conditions. — Blind duck left in a filthy hutch with a broken leg at MHS Horse Disposal

Body bins overflowing with carcasses, forcing horses intended for euthanasia to be left loose on fields in distress.
Ernie, a dark bay stallion, severely underweight, suffering hoof issues, and with no teeth — euthanised immediately.
Beach, another stallion, extremely thin with ribs and spine visible; later diagnosed with motor neuron disease and euthanised.
Four more underweight equines left grazing in fields:
- Elizabeth (elderly mare)
- Buttercup (bay filly)
- Two Shetland ponies with severe hoof deformities
One Shetland’s back hooves had twisted like corkscrews, spiralling around despite her still being mobile.
A blind duck with a broken right leg left in a filthy hutch.
A turkey with a large untreated wound on its back.
Both birds were euthanised at the scene.

Close‑up of a horse’s lower legs showing hooves that are extremely overgrown and curled forward, indicating long‑term lack of farrier care.

A vet concluded all equines had suffered due to inadequate environment, diet, body condition, dental neglect, hoof neglect, parasitic issues, and lack of timely euthanasia.

The sentencing judge described the conditions as “appalling” and the neglect as “prolonged”, occurring in a commercial setting where animals should have had a dignified end.

Animal Victims

Ernie — dark bay stallion; underweight; hoof issues; no teeth; euthanised immediately.
Beach — stallion; extremely thin; motor neuron disease; euthanised.
Elizabeth — elderly mare; overgrown hooves; dental issues left untreated for two years; euthanised after a year in RSPCA care due to lameness.
Buttercup — bay filly; underweight; lameness; euthanised months later.
Two Shetland ponies — severe hoof deformities; both euthanised.
Blind duck — broken leg; filthy hutch; euthanised.
Turkey — large untreated back wound; euthanised.

Fate of animals: Multiple equines euthanised due to suffering; others died or were euthanised after rescue due to chronic neglect.

Sentence

Court

Stafford Crown Court

Date

17 September 2026

Penalty

Robert Walker:
- 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months
- 12‑year disqualification from owning all animals except dogs
- 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
- £187 victim surcharge
- £200 costs
Lynne Chetter:
- 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months
- 12‑year disqualification from owning all animals except dogs
- 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
- £187 victim surcharge
- £200 costs

Mitigation

Walker: elderly, poor health.
Chetter: limited mitigation noted; responsible for birds found suffering.

RSPCA Statement

Inspector Laura Baker described the scene as “horrifying”, with vulnerable horses left alive and suffering despite being sent for humane euthanasia. She emphasised that knacker yards must be held accountable for the way they conduct their business and cannot leave animals waiting to be dispatched in pain. She thanked Cannock Chase District Council and West Midlands Police for enabling the prosecution.

World Horse Welfare Field Officer Charlotte Melvin said the case “really stands out” due to the heartbreaking discovery of horses trusted to the yard for humane euthanasia who were instead left alive and suffering considerably.

BirminghamLive

England, Equine, Euthanasia Failures, Knacker Yards / Horse Disposal, Livestock Abuse, Serial Animal Abusers, South West England, Worst of the Worst

West Harptree, Somerset: Stephen Potter

September 23, 2020 misanthropic 7 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | horse abattoir operator Stephen John Potter, born April 1965, of Whistley Farm, Whistley Lane, West Harptree BS40 6HD

Stephen Potter and a horse being put down at one of his abattoirs — Stephen John Potter has grown rich on the back of his shoddy businesses. Photo on right shows a pony being put down at one of his abattoirs. Source: Daily Mail

Two businesses, F Drury & Sons Ltd, of Tockenham Corner, Swindon, SN4 7PF and LJ Potter Ltd of Whistley Farm, West Harptree BS40 6HD together with Stephen Potter, who is the director of both companies, were found guilty of animal welfare offences following a prosecution brought by Wiltshire Council Trading Standards.

On 22nd October 2018, LJ Potter Ltd transported a horse from Northern Ireland along with a consignment of other horses to Drury’s abattoir. The lorry arrived at the abattoir late at night and as the horses were being unloaded from the lorry, a grey mare was found to be lying on her side and unable to rise. CCTV footage viewed by the court showed the horse attempting to stand five times, but continually falling over until eventually she managed to stand unable to bear weight on her right fore leg and reluctant to move.

The grey mare that was the subject of the prosecution — Abhorrent cruelty: the grey mare couldn’t walk and or breathe but was left to suffer for several hours by Stephen Potter’s company

The court heard evidence from expert witnesses who viewed the CCTV footage that in their opinion, at that stage, either a vet should have been called to assess the condition of the horse, or she should have been put down. Instead, the court heard that Stephen Potter, who was not present at the abattoir but was viewing the unloading of the horses, instructed the driver to transport the grey mare on a further journey from the abattoir to his farm in Somerset.

The vehicle departed but soon returned to the abattoir as the horse had somehow managed to stand during the journey. The horse was unloaded from the vehicle and CCTV footage showed her being unable to walk on her front leg. Experts giving evidence for the prosecution were clear that the horse was suffering, needed urgent veterinary attention and was not fit to be transported.

The mare was left alone in the lairage at the abattoir overnight until she was noticed by the vet on duty at the abattoir early in the morning. He took the view that the animal was in a severe condition, breathing rapidly, distressed and therefore needed immediate destruction.

District Judge, Tim Pattinson, said that Potter ‘had made an error of judgement that had resulted in a horse suffering for several hours which could, and should have been avoided. In this country we expect high standards of animal welfare especially in commercial activity’.

Judge Pattinson also said that Potter had shown an excessively relaxed approach to the problem and had underplayed the pain and suffering of the horse.

The case, brought by Wiltshire Council Trading Standards, resulted in a total penalty of £22,170 divided between the two companies and Stephen Potter and included costs of £10,000 awarded to Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire Times

Additional Information

In November 2010 Animal Aid exposed shocking cruelty at F R Drury. Undercover footage obtained by the group showed sheep being decapitated whilst still alive, calves slipping and collapsing repeatedly to the floor for three hours and goats leaping into the killing area to try to evade the stunning tongs.

Dogs, Euthanasia Failures, Glasgow & West Scotland, Scotland, Veterinary Malpractice

Galston, East Ayrshire: John Hendrie Smith

November 12, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | vet John Hendrie Smith, born 20/05/1929 (since deceased), of Galston, East Ayrshire KA4 – left 200 dogs howling in agony as they died from an outdated euthanasia injection to the heart

Terminally ill German Shepherd Bounce howled in agony after being given a lethal injection by disgraced vet John Hendrie Smith from Galston — Terminally ill German Shepherd Bounce howled in agony for several minutes after being given a lethal injection by disgraced vet John Hendrie Smith from Galston

Galston vet Hendrie Smith was struck off after admitting putting over 200 dogs to sleep using an outdated technique.

He was found guilty of a number of charges relating to clinical and communication failings against him at a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) disciplinary committee hearing.

He was removed from their register.

Hendrie Smith, who had been a vet for nearly 65 years, was investigated after an owner complained. Shockingly, he was found to have used the controversial technique on hundreds of helpless animals at the Valley Veterinary Centre in Galston, Ayrshire.

The Times reports that Hendrie Smith routinely injected canines directly into their hearts causing “appalling pain”.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) were made aware of his technique when a dog owner complained to them after the vet had euthanised his dog.

Darren Stevenson said Bounce, his German Shepherd, had “screamed in agony” for minutes after the injection before dying.

When the RCVS investigated his complaint it found that Hendrie Smith, who qualified in 1953, had used the technique for years on more than 200 dogs.

The vet admitted than many animals wailed in agony before dying

Reports from the disciplinary enquiry record that Darren approached the vet for help with his terminally ill German Shepherd Bounce.

However when Hendrie Smith made a house call he had failed to bring a muzzle for the dog and instead tried to wrap a belt around Bounce’s mouth.

The vet also had to borrow some pliers from Darren to fix a syringe.

The needle was then inserted through the lung wall, a process likely to cause intense pain because of its dense nerve network.

Stevenson’s partner at the time Rachael McRoberts heard the dog scream.

She told the Times: “It was horrible. The dog was wailing for what seemed like ages.

“I’ve never heard a dog make a noise like that.”

The case raises questions over how the RCVS regulates vets and why an ageing practitioner, who qualified so long ago, had not been subject to checks and revalidation.

Under rules introduced about five years ago vets must do at least 35 hours a year of “professional development”, but this can range from formal courses to reading journals or “reflecting” on cases.

The RCVS advises vets: “It’s up to you to decide how best to fulfil your own learning needs” and says records need not be updated annually and are unlikely to be inspected.

The Sun
Daily Record

Update | May 2023

John Hendrie Smith is now deceased.

Commercial / Institutional Exploitation, Dogs, England, Euthanasia Failures, Greyhound Racing, North East England, Worst of the Worst

Seaham, County Durham: David Smith

March 16, 2007 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2007) | David ‘Dave’ Smith, born c. 1949, of Adam and Eve Cottage, Northdene Avenue, Seaham SR7 7BH – killed thousands of ex-racing greyhounds with a bolt gun and buried them at his home

Dave Smith from Seaham is said to have killed thousands of former racing greyhounds with a bolt gun. Despite this, he was never charged with animal cruelty.

The prosecution of Dave Smith was brought by the Environment Agency after police ruled that the ‘Seaham Slaughterer’ as he came to be known would not face criminal charges in relation to the destruction of the dogs.

Dave Smith from Seaham is said to have killed thousands of former racing greyhounds with a bolt gun. Photo shows Smith leading two greyhounds to their deaths. — Smith was photographed by a reporter leading two greyhounds to the kill zone. The dogs were later identified as two-year-olds Clash Nitro and Rent a Flyer, bred and raised in Ireland before being sold off.

It had been claimed that Smith had shot about 10,000 dogs, but magistrates were told the figure was nowhere near that. It was conceded that he had put down two dogs a week for two years at a cost of £10 a time.

Dave Smith from Seaham is said to have killed thousands of former racing greyhounds with a bolt gun. This photo shows Smith returning with the bodies of the same two dogs in a wheelbarrow — The shocking footage shows Smith returning moments later with the bodies of the same two dogs in a wheelbarrow

While Smith was questioned by police, it was confirmed the bolt gun used to kill the retired greyhounds was held legitimately.

There are unconfirmed reports that Smith also disposed of dogs for the police and local authority.

Enquiries by the RSPCA concluded that there was no indication animal cruelty laws had been broken.

A spokeswoman for the charity said if used properly a bolt gun was a humane method of killing dogs and there had been no evidence that Smith had killed the greyhounds inhumanely.

Following a six-month investigation, the Environment Agency prosecuted him under legislation used to restrict the dumping of waste.

Smith admitted a single charge under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations that, on 12 July 2006 he disposed of waste – the bodies of deceased dogs – on land without a permit.

Greyhound protection group Greyhound Action (now defunct) held a protest outside the court and said it was disgraceful that the dog racing industry itself was not in the dock.

Sentencing: £2,000 fine for environmental breaches

BBC News

Update 2019

Dave Smith still runs a building supplies business Dave Smith Builders Merchants & DIY (website here) based in Lord Street, Seaham SR7 7JH. At the time of his prosecution, many local people came forward to support Smith, claiming that he was only meeting a demand from the greyhound industry.

In June 2019 a documentary on animal cruelty within the greyhound industry by Irish TV channel RTE entitled RTÉ Investigates: Greyhounds Running for Their Lives highlighted the Smith case and made the shocking discovery that many Irish knackeries, including Larry Earle Ltd of Camolin, Co. Wexford, and John Styles & Son Ltd in Kyletalesha Townland, Co. Laois , will willingly provide a similar service today.

Dogs, Euthanasia Failures, Greyhound Racing, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers, South Wales, Wales, Worst of the Worst

Liswerry, Newport: Andrew Gough

December 22, 2004 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2004) | Andrew Brian Gough, born 05/03/1976, formerly of Tiryberth Street, Tiryberth, near Caerphilly, and as of late 2019 of Lloyd Street, Newport NP19 0JN – used a captive bolt pistol to shoot a former racing greyhound in the skull, cut off the dog’s ears, and dumped him, still alive, on a footpath

Andrew Gough was paid £10 by John Hurley and Mark Emmett, owner and trainer respectively of injured greyhound Rusty, also known as Last Hope.

Gough used a captive bolt pistol to shoot Rusty in the skull. This left a gaping hole but failed to kill him. He then cut off Rusty’s ears to prevent identification and dumped him, still alive, by a footpath on Fochriw Mountain, near Merthyr Tydfil.

A woman out walking her dog heard whimpering and discovered the stricken greyhound. Despite his appalling injuries, Rusty managed to wag his tail for the person who had come to his aid. He was taken to a vet but had to be put down immediately because he was so distressed.

Rusty had a distinctive white blaze on his chest and people came forward to identify him.

In December 2004 Gough was convicted of cruelty and jailed for six months. He was also banned from keeping animals for life.

Rusty’s former owner and trainer did not face any charges despite signing the dog’s death warrant since it is not illegal for a person to arrange to have their own dog shot.