Category Archives: police dogs

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Shard End, Birmingham: Lauren Hatch

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CONVICTED (2024) | Lauren Hatch, born c. 1977, of Ridgewood, Shard End, Birmingham B34 6TD – kicked a police dog in the neck because he was biting her crime-prone son’s leg.

Birmingham woman Lauren Hatch, who kicked a police dog and also attacked a police officer
Lauren Hatch

The court heard that Hatch ‘reacted like any other mother’ after being woken up by a commotion at her home.

She also kicked out at a police officer after being placed in handcuffs for lashing out at PD Jack, who was thankfully not injured.

PD Jack was uninjured due to the protective clothing he was wearing
PD Jack was uninjured due to the protective clothing he was wearing

Prosecutor Jonathan Purser stated police were called to an incident on March 6, 2024, where someone was lying injured in the road. He said: “The defendant was present and her son tried to make off on foot. As part of him being detained a police dog was used.

“The defendant was said to have kicked the dog to the side of the head which resulted in her being arrested and she was also said to have delivered a kick to the officer who detained her, resulting in temporary pain only.”

Hatch admitted assault by beating an emergency worker and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Birmingham woman Lauren Hatch, who kicked a police dog and also attacked a police officer
Hatch with son Jordan (surname tbc)

Mitigating, Shabana Sharif, defending, said her client “behaved as a result of hearing her son screaming and being bitten” adding that she had “reacted like any other mother.”

Sharif explained that Hatch had “mental health issues” and was engaging with support services.

District Judge Michelle Smith said she was “satisfied this was an isolated incident” and imposed a community order.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days; £40 fine and £50 compensation to the officer.

BirminghamLive

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire: Kyle Hollingsworth

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CONVICTED (2024) | Kyle Hollingsworth, born 21 June 1991, of Moor Street Mansfield – repeatedly punched and kicked a police dog.

Violent career criminal Kyle Hollingsworth attacked a police dog
Lifelong thug Kyle Hollingsworth was jailed after kicking and punching a police dog

Violent career criminal and drug addict Hollingsworth was reported to police after he broke into a woman’s back garden in Gladstone Street, Mansfield, and began banging on windows.

A dog officer on routine patrol attended the scene at around 9.30pm on 27 October 2023 and challenged Hollingsworth in the street.
Hollingsworth, who was carrying a large bottle at the time, refused to comply with instructions from the officer and approached her.

Nottinghamshire Police Dog Max
PD Max wasn’t badly injured and soon returned to police duties

Doing his job, Police Dog Max bit the thug on the hand and stomach.

Hollingsworth then lashed out at at the dog and continued to punch and kick him even after he was taken to the floor.

Hollingsworth was arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to criminal damage, affray and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

The court heard Hollingsworth has 44 previous convictions for 100 offences, including criminal damage, threats and abusive behaviour. He was last before the courts in 2022 for dwelling burglary and a string of thefts

Max, a two-year-old German shepherd who already has an impressive service history, escaped serious injury in the attack and is now back on the beat.

Sentencing | jailed for 12 months.

NottinghamshireLive
Chad

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs

Latton, Wiltshire: Lewis Hill

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CONVICTED (2023) | Lewis Hill, born c. 2000, of Collett Place, Latton, Swindon SN6 6EH – threw a firework towards police officers, injuring four of them and a police dog.

Swindon football thug Lewis Hill injured a police dog and four officers after launching an exploding firework at them.
Football thug Lewis Hill injured a police dog and four officers after launching an exploding firework at them.

Hill threw the firework towards a group of police officers ahead of Swindon Town’s clash with Bristol Rovers on 22 January 2022.

The firework exploded at the feet of the four officers, causing minor injuries, while PD Ross suffered burns to his nose. Ross has since returned to work as a police dog.

Ross suffered burns to his nose but has now returned to his duties as a police dog with Wiltshire Police
Ross suffered burns to his nose but has now returned to his duties as a police dog with Wiltshire Police

In court, Hill admitted one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and four counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Hill was tracked down through CCTV and witness statements, Wiltshire Police said.

Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, Catherine Roper, said: “To throw a firework towards any group of people is an incredibly reckless and dangerous act.

“Assaults against police officers and police animals will never be tolerated.

“If you assault an officer or any other emergency services worker then be prepared to be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.”

Dog unit manager Ian Partington said: “It is pleasing to see that Mr Hill has been jailed for his actions and that offences against officers and police dogs are taken seriously.

“Thankfully PD Ross has been able to continue his career and is performing well as a police dog.”

Sentencing | four months’ imprisonment. Three-year football banning order.

BBC News
Wiltshire Police

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Harlow, Essex: Alexandru Chifor

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CONVICTED (2022) | career criminal Alexandru Chifor, born c. 1991, from Primrose Field, Harlow CM18 61U – punched a police dog repeatedly while holding her head underwater.

Romanian national Chifor attacked the dog after she repeatedly bit him when he refused to stop for police after they were called to a break-in in Rochford on July 2022.

Chifor and his co defendant Nelutu Stanga, from Wokingham, Berkshire, were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on 1 September 2022.

Prosecuting, Paul Valder, said: “On July 3 at about 7.10pm the business owner was alerted to the break in and that intruders were on the site.

“They were caught on CCTV breaking into the business, they cut a fence post and the damage caused was worth about £1,000. Two catalytic converters were stolen which are worth about £1,000.

“The dog bit him a few times and Chifor was seen deliberately holding the dog’s head underwater. He then struck the dog twice to his head, punching it in a stabbing motion.”

The court heard Chifor was in breach of a suspended sentence which was handed to him by the courts following a burglary at a home and a driving offence.

Mitigating for Chefor Colin Pope said he has a wife and child and works as a painter.

Stanga, who was unrepresented, told the court he was sorry via an interpreter.

Both admitted theft, going equipped for theft and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000. Chifor also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and Stanga admitted possession of a bladed article.

Chifor was jailed for eight months after being sentenced to six months for each of the three counts, to be served concurrently, and two months for breaching his suspended sentence. Stanga was handed a community order and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work.

Echo News

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire: Matthew Boulter

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CONVICTED (2022) | ultra-violent career criminal Matthew Boulter, born 2 March 1988, of Ainslie Street, Grimsby DN32 0LY – bit a police dog and assaulted an officer during arrest.

Boulter, described in 2019 as “Grimsby’s most violent man“, was arrested on the evening of 14 August 2022 after police were called to a series of incidents at a venue in Bethlehem Street, Grimsby. It is believed that Boulter assaulted two female bar staff members, a DJ and a customer.

While officers tried to detain him, Boulter punched and kicked some fencing towards one officer, causing them minor injuries.

PD Xander was dispatched to assist with the arrest, but Boulter bit him on the head and then grabbed and twisted his collar.

Humberside Police said Boulter was being arrested after assaulting three people and causing criminal damage outside the venue.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency services worker, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, assault, criminal damage and two counts of battery.

PD Xander

Det Sgt Thomas Crosfill said: “Assaulting emergency service workers is not acceptable, and our police dogs provide vital assistance to us. They are part of the police family.

“The earlier incidents occurred in a very public location and will have caused distress for the victims and passers-by. We want to ensure our towns are safe for people to live, work and visit, so I am pleased that Boulter was quickly arrested and sentenced for these offences.

“Thankfully, PD Xander quickly made a full recovery and was back at work the next day.”

Sentencing | eight months in jail. No ban.

ITV News
Grimsby Live

Additional Information

In June 2019 Grimsby Live published an article on Matthew Boulter’s “career of violence from baby-faced ASBO kid to brutal street thug”, noting that he had been involved in violence or served prison time for half of his life.

His record for violence include a previous attack on a police dog in 2006 during which officers were also assaulted.

By 2014, aged 23, Boulter already had 60 convictions to his name and has continued to offend in the years since.

Boulter with Georgia Michelle

Following his latest conviction, Boulter’s current girlfriend ‘Georgia Michelle’ took to Facebook to justify his attack on PD Xander. She wrote that the police dog “attacked him and would not let go so he bit it”.

She said Boulter had sustained “puncture marks all over his stomach” during the incident, adding that “police ain’t innocent here and they wonder why people fight and resist arrest. Fkin gross behaviour.”

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Guildford, Surrey: Reece Armstrong

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CONVICTED (2022) | Reece Armstrong, born 4 February 1996, of no fixed abode but originally from Guildford, with links to Stanwell, Camberley and Folkestone – lunged at a police dog with a zombie knife.

Guildford career criminal Reece Armstrong tried to slash a police dog with a zombie knife. Image: Reece Armstrong/Facebook

Career criminal Reece Armstrong told a police officer “I’m going to kill your dog” when they responded to an incident in Folkestone.

After swinging the blade and catching PD Blue’s collar, Armstrong fled but was located by firearms patrols in the town centre five days later.

Guildford career criminal Reece Armstrong tried to slash a police dog with a zombie knife. Image: Kent Police
Image source: Kent Police / Twitter

He again tried to flee but was caught with the help of a police drone and detained.

Armstrong’s “utterly abhorrent behaviour” began on the afternoon of March 23, 2022, when police responded to reports of an altercation between two men in Endrook Valley.

Guildford career criminal Reece Armstrong tried to slash a police dog with a zombie knife. Image: Kent Police

An officer attended the area with PD Blue and approached Armstrong at around 4.20pm.

After initially interacting well, his mood changed and he brandished a large zombie knife from his hoodie.

He became very aggressive and moved towards the officer and Blue, threatening to kill the animal.

Fearing for his safety and for Blue’s, the officer shouted at Armstrong to stop and step back. He ignored the commands and swung the knife at Blue, with the blade catching his collar.

Armstrong then fled the scene. Fortunately, Blue was not harmed.

Guildford career criminal Reece Armstrong tried to slash a police dog with a zombie knife. Image: Reece Armstrong/Facebook

He was arrested days later following the use of a police drone to follow his movements across town.

Following his arrest officers located the zombie knife he had used in his attack on Blue.

After being interviewed in custody and charged in relation to the offences committed, Armstrong was immediately recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licence in relation to a separate conviction.
He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 7 July 2022.

Guildford career criminal Reece Armstrong tried to slash a police dog with a zombie knife. Image: Kent Police

Investigating officer PC Sophia Lateu said: “Armstrong’s behaviour was utterly abhorrent; PD Blue and his handler were extremely lucky to be able to walk away from this incident unharmed.

“Every day our officers are required to attend unpredictable, challenging and sometimes volatile situations. However, like any other job, officers should be able to perform their roles without being the subject of such disgusting and potentially dangerous actions.

“Any assaults on police officers, staff or our police dogs are completely unacceptable, and we will not hesitate to prosecute those who put their safety and the safety of other emergency workers at risk in this way.”

Sentencing | two-year custodial.

Kent Online
ITV News
KentLive

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Bracknell, Berkshire: Matt Wilkie

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CONVICTED (2022) | Matt Wilkie, born 2 September 1977, of Liscombe, Bracknell RG12 7BY – punched a police dog in the head.

Matt Wilkie was convicted of punching a police dog in the head.

Wilkie denied causing unnecessary suffering to an animal during an incident in Windmill Road, Bracknell, on February 27, 2021 but was found guilty after a trial.

He admitted a range of driving offences on the same date.

Sentencing | community order with up to 19 days of rehabilitation activities. Ordered to pay £395 in costs and charges.

Bracknell News

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Easterhouse, Glasgow: William Gauley

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CONVICTED (2022) | William Gauley, born c. 1994, of 63 Baldovan Crescent, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4LR – used his two dogs as a weapon against three police officers and a police dog.

Tragic: Boston (left) and Shadow lost their lives after their owner William Gauley ordered them to attack police officers and a police dog.
Tragic: Boston (left) and Shadow lost their lives after their owner William Gauley ordered them to attack police officers and a police dog.

A court ordered the destruction of bulldogs Boston and Mastiff after their owner, violent career criminal William Gauley, ordered them to attack the officers and PD Diesel.

Gauley, who was armed with a knife and meat cleaver, instructed the dogs to pounce on the officers as they tried to arrest his brother, Ryan Gauley.

One officer suffered three bites on the thigh, leaving him requiring eight or nine stitches, while another was bitten once and police dog Diesel was also attacked during the melee.

Gauley pleaded guilty to assaulting constables Ryan Plunkett, Martin O’Neill and David Craig.

He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, being in charge of a dogs that were dangerously out of control as well as the unlawful possession of a knife and meat cleaver in a public place.

Sheriff Iain Fleming jailed Gauley for 27 months and disqualified him from owning a dog for four-and-a-half years.

An order was made for the dogs, who have been held in kennels since the incident, to be destroyed.

STV News

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs

Plymouth, Devon: Michael Rose

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CONVICTED (2020) | Michael ‘Mikey’ Rose (aka Michael Garner), born c. 1997, previously of Hill Park Crescent, Greenbank, Plymouth PL4 but most recently no fixed abode – punched and kicked a police dog after constables found him living in a tent in woods

Michael Rose aka Michael Garner and PD Ollie
Michael Rose aka Michael Garner and PD Ollie

Rose, who is originally from Basildon, Essex, punched and kicked PD Ollie as constables tried to restrain him. But the dog managed to grab hold of his ankle as he’d been trained to do.

The thug also rained blows on three police officers who found him in a tent and tried to headbutt another back at the police station.

Rose then assaulted two custody officers who were taking him to court the next day. One of the officers later said it was the most aggressive he had seen someone in 17 years of policing.

Jailing him for 18 months in total, Judge William Mousley said all six officers had been “just doing their job”.

Police mugshot of Michael Rose aka Michael Garner

He added that Rose had significant mental health difficulties, including paranoia, though he had refused to co-operate with psychiatric staff in the past.

Rose pleaded guilty to six counts of assaulting an emergency worker and one of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog on December 23 and December 24, 2019.

He changed his pleas minutes ahead of his trial.

Police Dog Ollie’s Twitter account said after the attack that there were no serious injuries and that he “recovered quickly”.

Rose was jailed in December 2017 for 29 months for two offences of blackmail. The latest offences were committed on licence after his release.

Sentencing: 18 months in prison.

Plymouth Herald

Dogs, police dogs, service and working dogs

Hampton Park, Southampton: Ernest Kujawski

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CONVICTED (2020) | Ernest Piotr Kujawski, born c. 1978, of Mayfield Road, Southampton SO17 – repeatedly slammed a police dog in a door

Ernest Piotr Kujawski and victim Ernie
Ernest Piotr Kujawski and victim Ernie

Polish career criminal Kujawski slammed the dog, Ernie, between a door leaving him whimpering and yelping in pain.

PC Mark Farley and Mechelse herder Ernie rushed to Shirley High Street to attend reports of a car theft at around 12.47am on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

Kujawski was spotted and suspected of having a weapon.

When the police arrived he fled the scene but Ernie was deployed to stop him.

Kujawski ran into his house and trapped the dog between a door injuring his paw.

PC Farley called for backup and with the help of a member of the public was able to free the dog.

A police spokesperson said: “Luckily Ernie has recovered well and is still a valuable member of our force.”

The duo received a Chief Constable Commendation for “showing courage, resilience, bravery and professionalism in detaining two suspects in a fast-moving, high threat environment”.

PC Mark Farley said: “Ernie did a fantastic job, and he would do so again without hesitation.

“It was by far the most difficult moment as a dog handler for me, putting him in harm’s way is never taken lightly, but we are here to protect the public.

“I am honoured to have received the award, but even more proud to see Ernie getting the recognition he deserves.”

Kujawski was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Sentencing: unpaid work requirement of 100 hours; £123 compensation.

Daily Echo