Category Archives: Other Mammals

Animal Torture, hedgehogs, Other Mammals, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Crosskeys, Caerphilly: Richard Coyle

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CONVICTED (2023) | repeat offender Richard Coyle, born 13 July 1996, originally from Blackwood, Caerphilly – caught torturing a hedgehog for a second time.

Animal torturer and sexual deviant Richard Coyle from Caerphilly, South Wales
Animal torturer and sexual deviant Richard Coyle

Persistent animal abuser Richard Coyle, of no fixed abode, was arrested at a house in the village of Crosskeys, Caerphilly, on September 29, 2022, where police officers found a mutilated female hedgehog who was still alive but covered in blood and a “white creamy substance”. The defendant was in bed, naked from the waist down and was wearing prosthetic breasts.

The court heard Coyle was lying in bed with various items including a cucumber, a vacuum pipe, a gas stove, women’s clothing, a shard of mirror, binoculars held together by tape, and two lit candles.

the hedgehog tortured by Caerphilly man Richard Coyle

The hedgehog was found in a wooden box on the bedside table, and had a wound to her stomach through which her intestines were protruding. She was also found to have suffered a cut to the abdomen and three limbs.

The horrifically injured creature was taken to a vet and euthanised.

Coyle was arrested and interviewed but made no comment. He later pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, cruelty to a wild mammal, and breaching a disqualification order.

In November 2020 Coyle was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment having tortured another hedgehog. His conviction came after police found a mutilated hedgehog covered in candle wax, with three limbs cut off and a visible broken bone.

The defendant was arrested and told police “It’s only a f* hedgehog, it has fleas” and claimed someone had thrown it into his tent in that condition. It was ascertained the person screaming “Help me” in a high pitched voice was Coyle, as he tortured the animal.

Coyle also has a conviction for manslaughter.

In mitigation, William Bebb said his client recognised the “severity” of the situation and acknowledge he would be receiving an immediate custodial sentence. He said the defendant served in the military and was previous Welsh champion boxer but he was diagnosed with PTSD due to his experiences of war and had fallen into drug and alcohol dependency.

Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “This was a deliberate and sadistic infliction of pain on a defenceless animal subjected to appalling cruelty at your hands…. This was just about a cruel a case as one could imagine and a mirror image of your previous offence.”

Sentencing | 18 months’ imprisonment. A 20-year ban on owning or keeping an animal.

Wales Online
Daily Mail
ITV News

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Birds, hedgehogs, Multiple Species, Other Mammals, Paedophiles / Sex Offenders

Andover, Hampshire: Ross Clifford

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CONVICTED (2023) | Ross Clifford, born February 1979, of Quicksilver Way, Andover SP11 6TT – kept injured birds and hedgehogs in unsuitable conditions.

Paedophile Ross Clifford, from Hampshire, UK, kept injured birds and hedgehogs in squalid containers without food and water.
Paedophile Ross Clifford kept injured birds and hedgehogs in squalid containers without food and water.

Convicted serial paedophile Ross Clifford operated a makeshift wildlife rescue centre from his home but was investigated by the RSPCA after they were alerted to dead and dying animals on the premises.

Paedophile Ross Clifford, from Hampshire, UK, kept injured birds and hedgehogs in squalid containers without food and water.

A vet examined the animals in Clifford’s care and found pigeons without their needs being met, including one severely injured pigeon that had been kept in a wicker basket with heavily solid newspaper on the base. There was no food or water or anywhere to perch.

Another pigeon was housed in a wardrobe in the bedroom, also without food or water.

Paedophile Ross Clifford, from Hampshire, UK, kept injured birds and hedgehogs in squalid containers without food and water.

A juvenile wood pigeon was found in a collapsible crate, with another collapsible crate used as a lid. A towel lined the base of the crate, and this was very heavily soiled with multiple faecal deposits, some fresh and others older and drying. No food or water was found in the crate.

Hedgehogs were also found in unsuitable conditions, including one found in a plastic cat carrier alongside a small quantity of dried food but no water.

Paedophile Ross Clifford, from Hampshire, UK, kept injured birds and hedgehogs in squalid containers without food and water.

The hedgehog was very lethargic and dehydrated with sunken eyes and pale mucous membranes as a result.

Two juvenile hedgehogs were found together in a collapsible crate which had wet shredded newspaper and tissue alongside food which appeared to be mouldy. They were both very lethargic and were lying motionless.

Another hedgehog, who had to be put to sleep because of the severity of his condition, was found in a plastic hamster cage without food and water with wet bedding which smelled of stale urine with an unsurvivable injury and dehydration.

Paedophile Ross Clifford, from Hampshire, UK, kept injured birds and hedgehogs in squalid containers without food and water.

In mitigation, the court heard that Clifford’s intentions in setting up a wildlife rescue at his home were good. He acknowledged that his premises were not set up to deal with wildlife rescue and that he fell short of the standards required by good practice.

Speaking about the case RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson said: “Injured captive wildlife is completely reliant on those providing care to ensure their needs are met. Sadly, in this instance, that responsibility was not fulfilled.”

Sentencing | 12-week custodial sentence to run concurrently to an existing sentence for unrelated offences.

The News
Hampshire Live

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Birds, Dogs, donkeys and mules, Equine Abuse, guinea pigs, Hoarders, Lifers, Multiple Species, Other Mammals, rabbits, Small Furries, Worst of the Worst

Bromyard, Herefordshire: Graham Stephens

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CONVICTED (2022) | animal sanctuary owner Graham T Stephens, born 30 July 1960, of Broad Street, Hereford HR7 but with links to Kidderminster – kept ‘rescued’ animals in shocking conditions.

Animal abuser: Graham Stephens from Hereford UK pictured during his court appearance
Graham Stephens pictured during his court appearance

Graham Stephens, co-owner with wife Jayne Stephens of registered charity Little Meadow Animal Rescue (LMAR) in Stoke Bliss, Worcestershire, kept owls, dogs, rabbits, donkeys and other animals in cramped conditions and failed to provide for their needs.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

The mistreatment to the animals included failing to provide dental treatment, failing to address heavy lice infestation, failing to provide treatment for bacterial infection, failing to provide veterinary treatment for the eye condition and dental disease and failure to provide drinking water.

The animals were kept in filthy, faeces-covered cages with animals kept close to predators when they should have been kept apart.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

The court heard that unnecessary suffering was caused to four grey donkeys, an alpaca, a Chinese Crested dog, two rabbits, a guinea pig, a grey squirrel and four tawny owls.

Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Lynda Myer said warnings had been given to Stephens in 2020 about the mistreatment of dogs but less than two years later there had been “multiple complaints” from the public to the police about conditions at the sanctuary.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

Police, accompanied by the RSPCA, acted on a warrant and visited the sanctuary, leading to Stephens’ arrest.

“The conditions were appalling,” the prosecutor said.

“There were signs significant stress was caused to the animals living in a small area.

“He was entrusted with money from the public to look after these animals.”

Sarah Brady, defending, said Stephens had been suffering from depression and stress while trying to run the charity.

“He has run the charity for 12 years,” Mrs Brady said.

“In 2021 he should have sought help.

“He didn’t because of what was going on in his personal life.

“He regrets that now.”

The solicitor added it was not a case where the defendant had deliberately mistreated animals.

Stephens admitted six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two charges of failing the duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure welfare.

Sentencing | jailed for eight months and banned from owning, keeping or transporting animals in any way, for life. He was told the earliest he could appeal that ban is 2033. He was released on conditional bail pending an appeal against the custodial sentence.

Hereford Times
Daily Mail

Additional Information

Following sentencing, a witness to Stephens’ animal cruelty over many years took to Facebook to write the following account of her experience:

The RSPCA together with the police obtained a warrant and removed 44 animals wo were living in squalor. There were caged dogs and some running around along with caged wildlife including owls, squirrels, rabbits and guinea pigs all living in a static caravan.

The RSPCA inspectors could only stay in the caravan for a few minutes because of the smell of ammonia. The donkeys had laminitis and overgrown hoofs and teeth and were unable to eat.

I personally saw the video and photographic evidence from the RSPCA and broke down in tears over the conditions these animals were forced to live in.

I obtained some small satisfaction by telling him to his face what I thought of him and what he had put the animals through whilst all the time convincing the general public that he was a caring rescue.

I personally had dealings with him and his wife when he was running WFAT [Wyre Forest Animal Trust] in Kidderminster and saw at first hand the appalling neglect the animals which he taken in were suffering. I made many complaints to the RSPCA and all the major welfare animal authorities along with the Charity Commission. Regrettably no one took any action all those years ago and he was allowed to carry on to this present day abusing and mistreating animals.

The case will now go to the Crown Court. The b…d should’ve gone down there and then.

Update | October 2023

Graham Stephens’ appeal was held on Tuesday 10 October 2023, at Hereford Crown Court sitting at Hereford Justice Centre; however it was withdrawn at the end of the hearing.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

The sentence imposed from December 2022 has now remained, with an additional £750 of costs included with the sentence.

Stephens will now spend the next eight months in jail. His lifetime ban remains in place but may be reviewed after just 10 years.

Your Herefordshire

hunts, Other Mammals

Brompton, North Yorkshire: Chris Barker

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CONVICTED (2022) | Christopher Barker, born June 1977, of Barker Rails Farm, Carr Lane, Brompton, Scarborough YO13 9DH – tormented a pod of dolphins by repeatedly circling them in his speedboat.

Chris Baker. Photos: Facebook.

Barker, director of All Game and Eggs Ltd and Chubby Eggs Ltd, aimed the small water craft at the group of cetaceans off the Scarborough coast on 9 July, 2021

Witnesses said Barker, who is also a terrierman with the Derwent Hunt, had driven at speeds of up to 25 knots (30 mph).

In his defence, he said he had only owned the boat for a month and was unaware of dolphins’ protected status.

Geoff Ellis, prosecuting, read a number of witness statements which suggested the speedboat had come within 20 to 30m of the group of bottlenose dolphins.

The aquatic creatures tried to move further out to sea but were unable to do so, and at one point were split up into two.

Witnesses estimated it took 10 minutes for Barker to stop, despite people on a nearby pier and on a passing boat trying to attract his attention, Mr Ellis said.

Mr Ellis said the defendant had told police he only purchased the boat in June 2021 and had no experience or training in its use at sea.

The defendant’s solicitor said he had set out knowing “nothing about dolphins” and had no experience in handling the boat.

When interviewed by police he told officers he was unaware of the legal protections provided to dolphins and had been “stupid rather than reckless”.

Barker’s solicitor said he had received a great deal of unpleasant messages on social media as a result of the case.

She said he had done “something stupid,” which he acknowledged and apologised for.

Barker, who had initially denied the offence, admitted intentionally and recklessly disturbing an endangered species.

District Judge Adrian Lower said it was the first case of its kind heard by the court and he was sure the defendant had no idea his actions would “amount to a criminal offence”.

Sentencing | fined £200 plus costs and surcharge totalling £334.

BBC News

hedgehogs, Other Mammals, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Sudbury, Suffolk: David Herring

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CONVICTED (2022) | Dave Herring, born c. 1968, of Manor Road, Sudbury CO10 1PB – kicked a hedgehog with ‘considerable force’

Herring admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the hedgehog, by kicking the animal.

The incident was caught on camera and the footage was passed on to the RSPCA to investigate.

The video showed a man walking towards a house and putting something down in the porch area. He was then seen pulling the hedgehog from the porch area with his foot, and kicking it down the road.

In mitigation, the court heard the defendant was of previous good character, that he’d had a heart attack within the last year and had been under stress.

They said it was a one off incident and he had initially thought the hedgehog was a rat.

Speaking after the case RSPCA Inspector Caroline Richardson, said: “Having reviewed video footage it was clear the hedgehog was kicked with considerable force.

“The final kick can clearly be heard on the camera footage.

“The hedgehog rolls at speed several metres, out of sight.

“An expert vet who examined the footage said the hedgehog would have suffered unnecessarily during this time and the suffering would have extended beyond the time of the kicking if an injury was caused.

“They believed the suffering caused was due to pain and fear.

“This was an incident which showed a clear disregard for a wild animal.”

Sentencing | fined £277 and ordered to pay £300 costs and a victim surcharge of £34.

East Anglian Daily Times
Suffolk News

Animal Torture, hedgehogs, Other Mammals, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Bonnyrig, Midlothian: Niall Sheridan

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CONVICTED (2021) | Niall S Sheridan, born 14 May 1999, with a most recent known address of Lothian Street, Bonnyrigg EH19 3AE but with links to the towns of Loanhead, Lasswade and Gorebridge, Midlothian – tortured and killed a hedgehog by stamping on her, stabbing her with a knife and striking her with a pool cue.

Niall Sheridan, who tortured a helpless hedgehog to death.

Sheridan also played football with the female creature in the corridor of his homeless accommodation in Midlothian and hit her with a ‘wet floor’ cone.

He used a knife to stab the hedgehog around ten times during the harrowing incident caught on CCTV.

As Sheridan laughed and joked with another man and filmed the abuse on his mobile phone, the hedgehog suffered an agonising 20 minute ordeal.

Police were called by concerned staff at the Kilbreck House homeless unit and officers were forced to restrain Sheridan using handcuffs, leg restraints and a spit hood.

The court heard he shouted threats including saying he would “slit their throats” and “harm their families”.

A postmortem conducted by a vet found the hedgehog likely endured “significant and unnecessary pain and suffering” as death wasn’t instantaneous.

Sadistic animal abuser Niall Sheridan

The thug pleaded guilty to a number of charges including causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering before killing it on July 12, 2021.

Sheridan also pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, knife possession, and making threats of violence to police.

Sheridan’s lawyer, David Storrie, told the court his client was high on a mixture of drink and drugs at the time.

The court heard he had consumed an “alarming amount of vodka and Buckfast” as well as Valium before the incident.

Storrie added that Sheridan is now clean of drugs due to being on remand and the period of custody has “done him the power of good”.

But Sheriff Daniel Kelly told Sheridan he had committed a “cruel and prolonged” attack on the animal and had “caused significant injuries and ultimately its death”.

He added: “It does have to be recognised that this was horrific, and a horrific way to treat an animal.

“You were admitted to Kilbreck House and you did go out and return with the hedgehog so there is some intent there.”

Sentencing: jailed for 20 months and banned from owning or keeping any animal for the next 10 years.

Edinburgh Evening News

hedgehogs, Other Mammals

Lytchett Matravers, Dorset: Tani Mabey

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CONVICTED (2021) | Tani Ruby Mabey, born 12 May 1998, of Bridge Close, Peatons Lane, Lytchett Matravers, Poole BH16 6HW – failed to ensure the welfare of two African pygmy hedgehogs.

Mabey was charged with two counts of failing to take steps to ensure the animals’ welfare.

She was alleged to have kept the hedgehogs in unsuitable conditions and without adequate food or water.

Poole Magistrates’ Court was told the animals’ need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns were not met and they would not be protected from pain, suffering, injury or disease.

Tami Mabey with partner Jay-Lee Arnold, who faced prosecution alongside her and others for alleged cruelty to 11 severely neglected dogs
Tami Mabey with partner Jay-Lee Arnold, who faced prosecution alongside her and others for alleged cruelty to 11 severely neglected dogs

The defendant admitted both charges, which were brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and dated back to October 15, 2020.

Mabey was discharged conditionally for 12 months and ordered to pay £1,569 compensation, £22 surcharge and £85 costs.

The bench also made an order for the defendant to be deprived of the ownership of the hedgehogs and for the disposal of the animals.

Dorset Echo

Additional Information

In July 2022 Tani Mabey was charged alongside others with animal cruelty offences after 11 dogs were seized from a farm in the Purbecks. Dorset.

Dorset animal abusers: travellers Lewis Longstaffe, Jay-Lee Arnold, Lee Mabey, Mark Amos Mabey
Clockwise from top left Lewis Longstaffe, Jay-Lee Arnold, Lee Mabey, Mark Amos Mabey

Her co accused were:

Mark Mabey was convicted in October 2023. Charges against Lee Mabey, Jay-Lee Arnold and Kyle Davies were dropped after the prosecution offered no evidence. Updates are awaited on Lewis Longstaffe and Tani Mabey.

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Birds, birds of prey / raptor persecution, hedgehogs, Multiple Species, Other Mammals, Small Furries, Worst of the Worst

Colchester, Essex: David Thompson

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CONVICTED (2021) | David R Thompson, born 8 January 1970, of Harwich Road, Colchester CO4 3LD – kept animals in atrocious conditions at his so-called sanctuary

Dave Thompson, boss of Colchester rescue from hell D+K Fuzzy Ferrets + Fox Rescue
Dave Thompson

When an RSPCA inspector arrived at Dave Thompson’s shelter, D+K Fuzzy Ferrets + Fox Rescue in Harwich Road, Colchester, in November 2019, she could see flies around the letterbox.

Police officers and RSPCA inspectors entered the property and found horrifying conditions within, with one police constable reporting she was almost sick due to the smell.

Scenes from Colchester rescue from hell D+K Fuzzy Ferrets + Fox Rescue

In total, 44 ferrets and polecats, four foxes, three jackdaws, two pigeons, a dove, two crows and a hedgehog were removed from the premises.

During the raid, the conditions were described as filthy, with many of the birds covered in faeces and suffering ragged feathers as a result of their squalid habitats.

Also seized were a large number of dead ferrets, a dead barn owl and some unidentified dead animals.

Scenes from Colchester rescue from hell D+K Fuzzy Ferrets + Fox Rescue

All of the ferrets and polecats bar three were found to be underweight, and were suffering from a variety of conditions – some of which were felt by the vet to be the result of poor feeding.

Nine animals had swelling to the eyes and required antibiotics, a number had gingivitis, thinning fur and bald patches which resolved once in care.

One ferret had to have an eye removed, with the vet asserting the painful condition had been present for a minimum of 21 days.

Several birds had to be euthanised.

Scenes from Colchester rescue from hell D+K Fuzzy Ferrets + Fox Rescue

Many of the animals made a full recovery following veterinary intervention.

Thompson admitted charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible are met.

Prosecutor Hazel Stevens told the court: “This was supposed to be a rescue organisation, holding itself out as having knowledge and experience of ferrets and foxes.

“There was prolonged neglect and ill-treatment, and animals were suffering and others were likely to suffer had they been left in that situation.

“Animals required euthanasia, some birds having been left with broken and dislocated bones.”

Banning Thompson from keeping animals for three years, chair of the bench David Murtagh said: “You’ve got no relevant previous convictions, you were unwell at the time with mental health difficulties.

“We note your lifelong commitment to the care of animals, we take all of that into account.

“Nevertheless we cannot get away from the fact that what we saw in the photographs was absolutely appalling.

“We heard the police describe it as absolutely disgusting, we’ve heard the neighbours at the time were unable to open their windows because of the smell, and several animals were found dead during the inspection – either found dead or had to be put down at some later point.”

Sentencing: 250 hours of unpaid work; £710 in costs. Banned from keeping animals for three years (expires April 2023).

Harwich and Manningtree Standard

Animal Torture, hedgehogs, Other Mammals, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Blackwood, Caerphilly: Richard Coyle

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#MostEvil | Richard Coyle, born 13 July 1966, from Blackwood, Caerphilly – tortured and mutilated a live hedgehog

Richard Coyle police mugshot

Sadistic Coyle tortured and butchered a harmless hedgehog on a camping trip. He removed the animal’s legs and covered her head and eyes with molten wax.

Police found the animal still alive in a tent belonging to Coyle in Blackwood, Caerphilly county, in August 2019. Scissors, candles, a jump lead and a kitchen knife were also discovered.

Coyle, who has a previous conviction for manslaughter, told police ‘It’s only a f****** hedgehog. It’s got fleas’ when he was questioned over the incident.

PC James Goodman described the horrific scene inside the tent in the early hours of August 27, 2019.

He said: ‘I could smell burning flesh, burning hair, death. The hedgehog was mutilated. The smell was horrendous.’

The hedgehog was taken to a veterinary centre where she was put to sleep.

Richard Coyle social media image

Coyle faced two charges. The first, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, was causing unnecessary suffering to a hedgehog by cutting its legs and burning the animal and covering its head with molten wax.

The second, under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, was mutilating and burning the hedgehog.

Former soldier Coyle claimed he has PTSD for serving in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. He denied the charges but was found guilty.

An RSPCA inspector said it was one of the worst animal cruelty cases he had ever seen.

He was sentenced to the maximum term of 26 weeks which is available to a magistrates’ court to impose.

RSPCA inspector Simon Evans said: “It is just beyond belief that someone could do this to a defenceless creature and cause so much suffering. To think that this hedgehog was alive through this ordeal is just horrifying.

“This case is certainly one of the worst examples of animal cruelty I’ve ever seen.”

Sentencing: 26 weeks in jail. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Daily Mail
BBC News
South Wales Argus

Update | June 2023

Coyle was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being caught torturing another hedgehog. The tiny creature was found badly mutilated and covered in blood and a creamy white liquid. A new banning order of 20 years was imposed on Coyle.

farms / smallholdings, Food Production, Other Mammals

Truro, Cornwall: Gary Clark

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CONVICTED (2020) | smallholder Gary Joseph Clark, born c. 1975, of 30a River Street, Truro TR1 2SJ – kept pigs, poultry and a llama in filthy and dangerous conditions

Foul and hazardous conditions on Gary Clark's Cornwall smallholding
Foul and hazardous conditions on Gary Clark’s Cornwall smallholding

Taxi driver Clark pleaded guilty to six offences relating to a failure to care for the animals under the Animal Health Act, 2006.

The offences related to a failure to care for the pigs, poultry and llama, that were kept at Trevarth Farm allotments in Lanner, Redruth, Cornwall.

Over the course of three visits made by Cornwall Council’s Animal Health officers and an Animal Plant and Health Agency vet, the enclosure for the pigs was found to be continually waterlogged, with mud coming up to the animals’ bellies.

The only water available for them to drink was dirty and muddy and they had access to hazardous objects such as nails and sharp edges.

A llama at the site had no shelter from the elements and there were sharp objects including nails and sharp projections found in its enclosure.

The poultry was not provided with clean dry litter and also did not have access to fresh water.

Despite the extensive advice he was given over the course of the visits, Clark made only minor improvements to the unacceptable conditions in which the animals were kept. All requests to remove the sharp objects and to provide dry lying areas and fresh water were ignored.

Sentencing: total of £792 in fines and surcharge. Banned for five years from keeping farm animals, including llamas (expires September 2025).

Falmouth Packet