Category Archives: dog fighting

Dog fighting

dog fighting, Dogs, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Newmilns, East Ayrshire: Tony Barbara

September 21, 2016 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2016) | Tony Barbara, born 23/09/1964, of 31 High Street, Newmilns, East Ayrshire KA16 9EB – a convicted dog fighter who defied his ban on keeping dogs and went on to commit further cruelty offences

In February 2013 Tony Barbara was convicted of training pit bull terriers for illegal fights. Barbara had trained two pit bull terriers called Elaine and Susie and a bull terrier called Gerald for fighting and subjected two of the animals to a catalogue of suffering. He also attempted to carry out DIY treatment on their injuries in case his actions were discovered by the authorities.

Convicted dog fighter Tony Barbara currently of Newmilns, East Ayrshire and originally from Dagenham, Essex — Barbara previously kept a pitbull terrier named Elaine, who had untreated eye and teat injuries

Barbara, who was linked to the Essex underworld, moved to Scotland after receiving a suspended jail sentence and 10-year dog ban.

He resumed his activities within months but was arrested after the Scottish SPCA raided his home in November 2014 and found two injured pit bulls and equipment linked to the illegal activity.

Barbara was found guilty of six charges including breaching the Dangerous Dogs Act by keeping two female pit bull terriers for fighting, having syringes and medications, possessing “breaking sticks” for fights and causing the animals unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate care and treatment.

His solicitor, James Arrol, said heavily-tattooed Barbara was “a man who has a number of psychiatric and health difficulties”.

Scottish SPCA inspector Hannah Medley said Barbara spoke “freely and openly”, using dog-fighting terminology and explaining the terms and rules.

Ms Medley added: “He told us he had been dog-fighting for the last 20 to 30 years and had only seen one dog die, and that when a dog was dying it was still wagging its tail when it died.”

Ms Medley said Barbara described the “etiquette of dog fighting” and used its terminology, such as scratch lines, pits and coming up to scratch.

“He was talking about dog breeds and his fascination with bull breeds”, she said, adding Barbara described knowing vets who would teach how to treat injuries and self-medicate dogs.

After his arrest, Barbara gave “no comment” responses when asked why he had veterinary medication used specifically to treat dog injuries and syringes containing milky liquid.

He also refused to comment on whether the dogs had been identified as American Pit Bull terriers, which are strictly regulated, and attributed scars and injuries to “dives into bushes after rabbits”.

Police and animal welfare inspectors found a “flesh stapler”, a training “flirt pole” and notebooks with accounts of the fights at his previous home in Dagenham, Essex, in 2011, his earlier trial heard.

Sentencing:
Jailed for 8 months and banned from keeping dogs for life.

Daily Record
BBC News

dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering

Slough, Berkshire: Julie Wright

February 9, 2016 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2016) | dog-fighting trainer Julie Wright, born c. 1973, of Hoylake Close, Slough SL1 5UR kept scarred dogs and dog-fighting training equipment at her home

A dog fighting training camp was discovered at Julie Wright's home — A dog fighting training camp was discovered at Julie Wright’s home

During a raid of Wright’s property in Cippenham, Slough, police and RSPCA officials uncovered a barbaric dog-fighting training camp. They found all the match practice equipment needed to turn dogs into ferocious fighting machines.

Two dogs kept in caged kennels in Wright’s back garden were seized.

Wright pleaded guilty to having dog fighting equipment, training a dog and having two banned dogs.

Scarred dog rescued from Julie Wright of Slough

Police and the RSPCA homed in on her address after coming across evidence linking her to dog fighting circles in 2014.

When they investigated, they discovered she had dog-fighting paraphernalia including treadmills, break sticks, a specially adapted ball and spring and A frame – all described as tools used to train fighting dogs.

There was also evidence of Wright trading dogs with convicted dog-fighting exponents in other parts of the country.

Convicted dog abuser Julie Wright — Wright is banned from keeping dogs until 2026

After Wright was sentenced, Mike Butcher, RSPCA chief inspector of the special operations unit, said: “This is another sad case where the dogs end up being the unfortunate victims of the dark and cruel world of dog fighting.

“This barbaric ‘sport’ really has no place in a modern society and the RSPCA is working hard through investigations and more to put an end to this brutal enterprise where suffering is inflicted on animals who are there to do their owners cruel bidding.

“We hope this prosecution goes some way to showing others out there involved in this bloody ‘sport’ that organised cruelty and abuse of this nature is not only against the law but it will never be tolerated.”

Wright, who was represented in court by Clive Rees, appealed against her conviction but the outcome isn’t known.

Sentencing | 18-week suspended prison sentence; £1,000 costs; banned for owning dogs for 10 years (expires February 2026).

Express

dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Crawley, West Sussex: Urfan Ahmed

February 7, 2016 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2016) | dog breeder Urfan Ahmed, born c. 1977, of Burdock Close, Crawley RH11 9EH – repeatedly breached his ban on keeping dogs even after one dog mauled his baby niece to death

Backyard breeder Urfan Ahmed repeatedly ignored court orders banning him from keeping dogs.

Urfan Ahmed, a spray-painter, was fined for breaching a court order banning him from keeping dogs, despite being told he would be jailed if caught again.

Aiding and abetting charges brought against Ahmed’s partner, hairdresser Linda Hood of Davis Close, Broadfield, Crawley were dropped and six seized dogs returned to her.

Ahmed was charged with breaching an order banning him from keeping custody of a dog after he was found with one in a field to the south of West Field Place, Lowfield Heath Road, Charlwood, on September 14, 2015.

Ahmed initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but later changed his plea.

Ahmed was first charged with keeping a prohibited dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act after his 18-month-old niece was killed by one of his dogs in April 2010.

He was found guilty of breaching the five-year disqualification twice and possessing a dog dangerously out of control at a court hearing in 2013.

At the time, a police statement said he was banned from owning a dog until 2023 and fined £1,585.

After the conviction in 2013 Inspector Di Lewis said: “The magistrate told Ahmed during the trial that if he comes before the courts again for keeping dogs, he will be sent to prison.”

Sentencing: Fined £785 and ordered to pay £1,500 court costs with a £75 victim surcharge. Ban expired.

Crawley Observer

dog fighting, Dogs, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Bolton, Greater Manchester: John Psaila

February 24, 2015 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2015) | “key figure” in British dog-fighting John George Psaila, born 02/12/1965, of Alan Ball House, Bolton Road, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 7AT

Key figure in British dogfighting John Psaila from Bolton., Greater Manchester — John Psaila is believed to be behind some of most serious dog fighting gangs in the country

RSPCA officers uncovered what was in effect a training school for pit bull terrier-type dogs at John Psaila’s previous home in Thornvale, Abram, Wigan.

Psaila admitted 14 allegations including training dogs for the purpose of fighting, possession of equipment designed or adapted for use in dog-fighting and possession of pit bull terrier-type dogs.

Officers even discovered one dog being trained on a treadmill when they arrived at Psaila’s address in summer 2014.

Inspectors from the RSPCA’s special operations unit – which investigates organised animal crime – joined officers from Greater Manchester Police on warrants at Psaila’s Abram address, as well as a house on Lowton Street in Radcliffe, Manchester, on June 9, 2014.

Inspectors found dog-fighting paraphernalia and medical supplies for treating wounds at Psaila's home — Inspectors found dog-fighting paraphernalia and medical supplies for treating wounds at Psaila’s home

They were acting on information that he was involved in organised dog-fighting and an allegation he was preparing to take a dog to a fight.

At the Abram address they found what resembled a training school for fighting dogs, including treadmills, weighing scales, home veterinary kits with medication and muscle-gaining powder and breaking sticks, which are typically used to separate dogs during a fight.

One of Psaila's fighting dogs — One of Psaila’s fighting dogs

The RSPCA found Psaila had two pit bull-type dogs – called Ziggy and Tip – in his care and he subsequently admitted training both of the dogs to fight.

Psaila also admitted to training a dog called Cruise to fight. Although the dog was not found at either address, texts from his phone revealed plans to arrange a fight between Cruise and another unknown dog.

Footage of the dogs being trained on treadmills was found on the defendant’s mobile phone, said the RSPCA.

Other paraphernalia such as dog-fighting yearbooks and magazines, as well as a bucket and a sponge covered in blood were also discovered at a property belonging to Psaila.

John Psaila's pit bull tattoo — Psaila’s pit bull tattoo

The father-of-two, who has a pit bull tattooed across his back, winked at his daughter when he was jailed after admitting a series of crimes under the Animal Welfare Act.

Magistrates also ordered the destruction of two pit bull-type animals as they were considered too dangerous to spare.

Sentence: jailed for 121 days. Banned from keeping animals for life.

Manchester Evening News
BBC News

dog fighting, Dogs, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Accrington/ Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire: Darren and Callan Wheatcroft and Simon Whitworth

January 15, 2015 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2015) | Darren Lee Wheatcroft, born 16/01/1967, of Haywood Road, Accrington BB5 5AW, son Callan Nathan Wheatcroft, born 07/02/1993, of Alliance Street, Accrington BB5 2RT, and their associate Simon Paul Whitworth, born 07/03/1971, of Ramsclough Farm, Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle BB5 3SN – for organised dog-fighting using ‘banned’ breeds

Dog fighters Callan Wheatcroft, Darren Wheatcroft, Simon Whitworth — L-R Callan Wheatcroft, Darren Wheatcroft, Simon Whitworth

RSPCA and police executed warrants at Haywood Road in Accrington and Ramsclough Farm Cottages on Haslingden Old Road in Oswaldtwistle in May 2014.

The RSPCA released images of some of the banned dogs seized from a vile Lancashire dogfighting ring — The RSPCA released images of some of the distressed and injured dogs seized from a vile Lancashire dog-fighting ring

Officers found five banned pitbull-type dogs, large collections of books and magazines relating to dog-fighting and treating dog injuries, veterinary equipment for treating animals involved in fights, treadmills, ceiling hooks and weighing scales.

At Ramsclough Farm, officers found two banned dogs, Dingo and Sheeba, in kennels at the back of farmhouses and found injuries on the left front leg of Sheeba.

The RSPCA also found evidence from phone texts and WhatsApp messages belonging to Darren Wheatcroft relating to attempting to organise an animal fight.

One message on Darren Wheatcroft’s phone from his son Callan said ‘so does he still have that killer 37/38 dog? Would you go for a grand with Dingo?’ to which he replied ‘Zulu hooked up’.

Lancashire dog fighter Darren Wheatcroft — Darren Wheatcroft

Darren Wheatcroft pleaded guilty to arranging a dog-fight to take place, keeping or training dogs for use in an animal fight and possessing three banned pitbull-type dogs.

Lancashire dog fighter Callan Wheatcroft — Callan Wheatcroft

His son Callan Wheatcroft pleaded guilty to keeping or training dogs for use in an animal fight and possessing three banned pitbull-type dogs.

Lancashire dog fighter Simon Whitworth — Simon Whitworth

Father-of-two Simon Whitworth – a company director – pleaded guilty to not ensuring the welfare of a animal, keeping or training dogs for use in an animal fight and possessing two banned pitbull terrier-type dogs.

Defending the trio, Simon Farnsworth of FMB Solicitors in Blackburn told the court that despite large amounts of evidence against them, there was nothing to prove they had carried out any dog-fights.

Lancashire dog fighting trio Callan Wheatcroft, Simon Whitworth and Darren Wheatcroft pictured outside court

District Judge James Clarke told Burnley Magistrates Court that he was ‘quite satisfied’ all the banned dogs and equipment were ‘being used for illegal dog-fighting’.

Sentencing, he said: “The centre of this case is that each of you, to varying degrees, together and separately, were involved in the ownership, training and care of prohibited animals.

“These dogs are illegal for a reason because they are dangerous, not only labelled dangerous by parliament but by their physical characteristics, their training, their selective breed and ability to cause significant physical injuries.

“You have willingly and knowingly involved yourself in an industry and endeavour that perpetuates cruelty to animals, the vindication of fighting to the death of animals and also the mistreatment of dogs.

“It’s something which you have invested significant amount of your own finances and no doubt considered the potential to make money out of the enterprise.

“This was deliberate offending over a period of time with little or no regard to the animals other than as sources of entertainment or for financial gain.”

Sentencing: Callan Wheatcroft and Simon Whitworth were given suspended 16-week jail sentences; Darren Wheatcroft was given a 20-week suspended sentence. All three were ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work. Darren Wheatcroft and Whitworth were ordered to pay RSPCA costs of £15,000 each and Callan Wheatcroft was ordered to pay £10,000. All three men were banned from owning or keeping dogs for life.

Daily Mail
LancsLive

dog fighting, Dogs, Hoarders, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Worst of the Worst

Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester: Alexander Walker

October 9, 2014 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2014) \ Alexander Walker, born 14/05/1977, of Cote Royd, Caroline Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6NT but with links to Prestwich and Bury – kept six fighting dogs in squalid mess next to bloodied corpse of another dog

Animal abuser: Alexander Walker of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester

As the newspapers failed to follow-up in this case, we contacted Manchester & Salford Magistrates Court who kindly provided details of Walker’s sentence.

Walker kept six bulldogs which were regularly involved in fights between themselves in appalling conditions alongside a bloody corpse of another pet for two days.

Dog rescued from life of neglect with Alexander Walker of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester

Walker’s animal abuse came to light after police caught him digging a grave for a dead dog in woods.

The bulldog called Major died after being savagely attacked in a park by another dog two days before the find

Walker kept three adult American Bulldogs and three puppies next to the wounded corpse at his home in Prestwich for two days.

After following Walker to his flat an inspector found the floor was filled with rubbish and needles. All of the animals had severe wounds from regular fights and excrement was caked into their paws.

The remains of a cannabis factory were also found, and the only food in the flat was a piece of cake next to Major’s corpse.

All the animals had severe wounds from regular fights and excrement was caked into their paws.

Although there was no suggestion the animals had been involved in organised fights, the court heard they picked up numerous injuries having been allowed to fight each other in the cramped flat.

The foul conditions in which Alexander Walker kept seven American Bulldogs

Paul McCormick, representing the RSPCA, said the stench could be picked up outside.

He said: “On reaching the flat the inspector realised the smell was emanating from his property, and saw a swarm of flies.

“He could see a large amount of of excrement, both old and new, all over the floor. There was so much it was impossible not to step in it.”

He said the remains of a cannabis factory was also found, and the only food in the flat was a piece of cake next to Major’s corpse.

The three adult American bulldogs and three puppies had been kept alongside the bloodied body for two days, he said.

Alexander Walker kept dogs in hellhole flat

Walker, then of Windsor Crescent, Bowker Vale, Bury, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to care for his dogs.

The defendant, who is out of work and on benefits, said he had bought his first American bulldog after being stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver in 2011.

Zoe Earle, defending, said police did not track down his attempted murderer and Walker, who now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, had kept the animal for protection.

She said: “The problem came when it had a litter, and then they had another.

“Before he knew it, he had in his possession a vast amount of dogs and no hope of looking after them.”

Although Walker had been warned he could be imprisoned for up to a year and fined up to £20,000 for the neglect, he received just two months in jail.

Sentencing | two months’ imprisonment. Disqualified from keeping any animal for life

Manchester Evening News
The Mirror

dog fighting, Dogs, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Worst of the Worst

Pitsea, Basildon: Joanne Terry

September 11, 2014 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2014) | backyard breeder Joanne Terry, born 03/07/1981, of 10 Winfields, Pitsea, Basildon SS13 1HQ – involved in dog-fighting, severe animal neglect, two dogs dead.

Joanne Terry, formerly of Third Avenue, Dagenham, was convicted and banned for life from owning any animal after being found guilty of animal cruelty offences. One of the dogs was in such a poor condition that he had to be put to sleep.

Despite the appalling nature of her crimes, Terry escaped a prison sentence.

Barking and Dagenham’s Street Enforcement team visited Terry’s home on 1 October 2013 when neighbours raised concerns. There they found two dogs attacking a dead dog in the rear garden. That dog had been killed in a dog fight.

During the visit, the officers also found a litter of eight bulldog-type dogs. The officers were concerned about the welfare and condition of the puppies so applied for a warrant to seize the dogs.

On 4 October 2013, the officers, dog warden and police recovered the eight puppies. The officers heard whining and found two emaciated adult bulldogs and recovered them as well.

All adult dogs and puppies were examined by a local vet but the adult male was so badly neglected that he had to be put to sleep. Following the conviction, the court gave custody of the dogs to the Council for rehoming.

Sentence: eight-week suspended prison sentence, £380 fine for animal cruelty, life ban on owning any animal.

Source (removed) Barking and Dagenham Post

dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil: Kerry Evans

March 3, 2014 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED | Kerry Alan William Evans, born 10/11/1988, of 38 Twelfth Avenue, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9TB – kept and bred dogs for vicious fights.

Dog fighter Kerry Evans from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales

Evans was involved in organised dog fighting and kept six pitbull terriers to be used in this barbaric crime.

Following a search of Evans’ home and sheds at Pengarnddu in Merthyr Tydfil, six dogs and items of dog fighting equipment
were found.

Kerry Evans from Merthyr Tydfil trained banned breed dogs to fight in underground leagues where people pay to watch dogs tear other apart, and bet on the outcomes. All six dogs seized from him were destroyed. — All six dogs seized from Kerry Evans were destroyed.

Officers also found syringes and antibiotics allegedly used to treat dogs after fights.

A vet who examined the dogs said they displayed numerous facial and bodily scars and concluded that the dogs had received their wounds from dogs bites, also stating that the injuries would have caused the dogs to suffer if no veterinary treatment had been sought.

The dogs were ordered to be destroyed by the RSPCA

All six dogs were ordered to be killed by the RSPCA. Officers also seized dog fighting equipment and graphic books showing dogs tearing each other apart.

The court heard that dog fighting existed in a “small fraternity” who met across the country and trained their animals specifically to fight.

Sentence: six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; 200 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 towards the £50k prosecution costs. Banned from owning dogs for eight years (expired March 2022).

WalesOnline
Daily Mail

dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Bradford/Leeds: Timothy Davey and Charlotte Mountain

March 1, 2013 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2013) | backyard breeders Timothy Davey (aka Timothy Lee O’Reilly), born 20/07/1985, of Ravenscliffe Avenue, Bradford BD10 0JX and Charlotte Mountain, born c. 1986, of Victoria Avenue, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7AS – banned from keeping animals for just five years after three dogs were found in a shocking state

Backyard breeder Timothy Davey and one of the dogs found at partner Charlotte Mountain's property in Victoria Avenue, Yeadon — Backyard breeder Timothy Davey and one of the dogs found at his partner Charlotte Mountain’s property in Victoria Avenue, Yeadon, Leeds

Charlotte Mountain admitted allowing dogs Gismo, Rino and Bingo to suffer, while partner Timothy Davey, a career criminal with convictions for violence, was found guilty of neglect following a trial.

Backyard breeder Timothy Davey and one of the dogs shared at partner Charlotte Mountain's property in Victoria Avenue, Yeadon

The bull breed dogs were suffering from severe skin and eye conditions, which saw two of them lose extensive amounts of fur.

RSPCA inspector Nikki Cheetham said: “These dogs were in a shocking state when they came to our attention and could not have looked more different after getting the treatment they needed.

“Gismo had virtually no hair on her body and her skin was red raw from sarcoptic mange. She really was a sad sight. Rino wasn’t much better.”

The dogs came to the RSPCA’s attention in June 2012.

Sentencing:
Mountain – 10-week curfew; £100 costs. Banned from keeping animals for five years.
Davey – banned from keeping animals for five years.

Wharfedale Observer

2019 update:
Timothy Davey, now calling himself Timmy Lee O’Reilly, continues to operate a highly dubious backyard dog breeding operation, which he calls ‘pittz r us’.

Even though he’s on benefits, Davey is a prolific producer of bull terriers and appears to be raking in the cash.

This is not a man who cares about the fate of the dogs he sells either: and there is more than a hint of links to the dog-fighting world

Backyard breeder Timothy Davey aka Timmy Lee O'Reilly from Bradford

Timothy Davey openly flogs puppies on his FB page

dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Oxford: Nora and Sonny Mannion

March 20, 2012 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2012) | Nora Christine Mannion, born 22/12/1965, of 9 Denmark Street, Oxford OX4 1QS and son Sonny Christian Mannion, born 09/08/1990, of 86 Percy Street, Oxford OX4 3AD – allowed one of their five injured bull terriers to attack a stranger’s dog in the street

Sonny Mannion and one of the five dogs rescued from his home. — Convicted drug dealer and career criminal Sonny Mannion was only banned from keeping animals for five years despite evidence of severe abuse towards his dogs. All five dogs, some of whom ha cigarette burns as well as fighting wounds, were destroyed.

On May 26. 2011, the police, along with RSPCA inspectors, executed a search warrant at Nora Mannion’s home in Denmark Street, Oxford where they found the dogs alone. The crossbreed bull terriers – named Yao, Billy, Marley, Cannon and Blingers – were taken by the RSPCA to kennels and examined by a vet.

Vets said the dogs had numerous small injuries, some of which had been caused by fighting. Some wounds were consistent with cigarette burns.

All five dogs had to be destroyed because they were too aggressive to be rehomed.

Nora Mannion was charged with being the owner of a dog and allowing it to be dangerously out of control in a public place and cause injury.

She also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to arrange veterinary care for Yao.

Career criminal Sonny Mannion, who has a string of previous convictions including three robberies, criminal damage, battery, shoplifting and dealing in Class A drugs, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of an animal.

Senior RSPCA inspector Kirsty Wignall said: “I am pleased with the sentencing, particularly with the disqualification.”

She said it had not been possible to prove who was responsible for the burns on the dogs.

The animals also had wounds indicative of fighting with other dogs or each other, she said.

Sentencing:
Nora Mannion – six-week jail term, suspended for 12 months; three-month curfew; £500 costs and £500 compensation. Banned from owning animals for 10 years (expired March 2022)
Sonny Mannion – three-month curfew; £500 costs. Banned from owning animals for five years (expired March 2017).

BBC News
Oxford Mail

UK Animal Cruelty Files