Category Archives: Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Pet abuse at its most evil. Excludes wildlife persecution.

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside: Matty Murray

Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Matthew Murray, born 6 March 1999, of Bentinck Place, Birkenhead CH41 4DR – caught on CCTV kicking and screaming at a small dog as she yelps in pain.

RSPCA prosecution of Matthew Murray from the Wirral, Merseyside, who was filmed brutally kicking a small bulldog

The footage shows Murray running towards a fence and kicking out at bulldog Bella with his left leg, before kicking her again with his other leg, causing her to yelp out in pain. He is then heard aggressively shouting, “get back in,” before forcefully kicking and swearing at her again.

Bella is seen running back towards the house away from Murray, before yelping out again once she’s inside.

The incident took place at Ashfield Crescent, Bromborough, on Boxing Day 2023 and the RSPCA was alerted.

RSPCA prosecution of Matthew Murray from the Wirral, Merseyside, who was filmed brutally kicking a small bulldog

In a written statement to the court Inspector Anthony Joynes said: “I attended the location and made enquiries with residents which resulted in me seeing some CCTV footage where a young male with long dark hair, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and black trainers can be heard initially arguing angrily with another person before screaming and shouting angrily that a dog had escaped from the property.

“The dog appears scared and is seen running away from the male along a fence line. The man chases after the dog and then proceeds to violently kick the dog forcefully on at least two occasions. The dog can be heard yelping in response and further yelps can be heard shortly after the man re-enters the address after the dog.”

Violent dog abuser Matty Murray from Wirral, Merseyside
2018 Merseyside Police mugshot of Matty Murray, who has links to Tranmere, Prenton, Wallasey and Woodchurch.

Following veterinary examination Bella was given pain relief for ongoing hip and spinal conditions which were found on the radiographs. She was then taken to a private boarding establishment to be cared for on behalf of the RSPCA while the investigation was carried out.

Murray, who is no stranger to Merseyside Police, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, and said he had attacked Bella because he was “feeling stressed”.

Violent dog abuser Matty Murray from Wirral, Merseyside

Speaking after the conclusion of the case Inspector Joynes said: “Bella had run out of the house and into the street, which of course can be stressful and frustrating. But the violence, aggression and intimidating behaviour that followed was unacceptable, and this can be seen by Bella’s fearful response and her cries of pain.

“She is doing great in our care and will be looking for her new home very soon.”

Sentencing | 18-month community order with 240 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of “rehabilitation”; victim surcharge. Ten-year ban, but may appeal after five years.

Liverpool Echo
BBC News

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Brian Thomas

Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Brian Thomas, born c. 1980, of Robert Street, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 – kicked and punched a dog.

Animal abuser Brian Thomas from Barrow, Cumbria was prosecuted after punching and kicking a dog
Thomas pictured with one of his t wo pet dogs.

Thomas admitted attacking the unnamed dog in Barrow on March 28 2024, contrary to sections 4(1) and 32(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The condition or fate of the dog has not been reported.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation requirement days; £357 in compensation, £80 fine, £114 surcharge.
12-month disqualification order relating to dogs

The Mail

Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Gravesend, North West Kent: Javel Pilgrim

Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Javel Pilgrim, born 14 November 1999, of Saint Gregory’s Crescent, Gravesend, but with links to the Hackney and Barking areas of London – caught on camera abusing his pet dog.

RSPCA prosecution of violent dog abuser Javel Pilgrim, previously of Barking London and now Gravesend in Kent.

Pilgram, who according to his LinkedIn profile works as a “program development professional”, admitted the physical abuse and neglect of his pet dog, Tessa, in a case brought by the RSPCA.

The incident, which took place on January 25, 2023, saw Pilgrim, who at the time lived on Maybury Road, Barking, lift Tessa up before hurling her from height onto the ground.

RSPCA prosecution of violent dog abuser Javel Pilgrim, previously of Barking London and now Gravesend in Kent.

A vet who viewed the video after it was reported to the RSPCA commented: “The person does not drop the dog by accident but throws it with intent and force enough to propel it a considerable distance from him.”

“The clip shows him positioning the dog behind him to enable him to throw the dog effectively. The energy required in my opinion and experience in handling dogs, was very large to throw the dog the distance seen, and the intent was to harm the dog.

“There is no sign … that the dog was trying to bite the person, or that the man was acting in self-defence. He is not seen attending to the dog immediately afterwards, suggesting that he failed to prevent further suffering by not checking for injuries.”

When RSPCA animal rescue officer Bryan Taylor visited Pilgrim, he discovered Tessa living in the garden. She was removed from the property with consent and taken for a veterinary examination on January 26, 2023.

The vet found her to be underweight at 15.9kg, scoring three out of nine on the body condition scale. She had sustained injuries, staining, and calluses on her lower limbs, as well as fractured teeth.

RSPCA prosecution of violent dog abuser Javel Pilgrim, previously of Barking London and now Gravesend in Kent.

A vet stated: “This injury could have occurred when the owner threw her onto the ground- it is common for injuries to the carpus (wrist) to be caused by falling from a height. The graze on her carpus could have occurred at the same time.”

“The damage to Tessa’s teeth could also have occurred when she was thrown.

“We treated Tessa with a painkiller and a diet plan to help her gain weight.

“On February 2, her weight had increased to 16.7kg. Her cough resolved with this treatment and she is not showing any signs of lameness.”

“We also noted that while Tessa was very well behaved with female members of staff she showed signs of fear aggression (e.g. lunging when cornered) with some of our male staff members- suggesting that her previous mistreatment has made her fearful of men”.

Speaking about the case, RSPCA inspector Shahnaz Ahmad, who was in charge of the investigation for the animal welfare charity, commented: “Pilgrim inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on Tessa. There is never an excuse for treating an animal in this way.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order, with 15 days of “rehabilitation”; £80 fine and £114 victim surcharge. Indefinite ban.

London Post
EssexLive

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Lifers, Pet Theft, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Stevenage, Hertfordshire: Mark Linford

Leave a comment

CONVICTED | Mark Anthony Linford, born October 1977, of Long Lane, Aston End, Stevenage SG2 7HG – broke into a woman’s home and stole her dogs before attacking them, causing fatal injuries to one.

Evil Stevenage man Mark Linford stole three dogs during a burglary and killed one of them while seriously injuring the others
Dog killer Mark ‘Marco’ Linford will be spending the next two-and-a-half years behind bars for his crimes

Linford, a self-employed painter/decorator trading under the name Linford’s Professional Decorating, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal as well as burglary

Essex Police were called to an address in Harlow on the afternoon of 18 September 2023 following reports of a residential burglary, where three chihuahua dogs (pictured) were stolen.

The suspect was quickly identified as Linford. He was located and arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The dogs were located later in the day.

Evil Stevenage man Mark Linford stole three dogs (pictured) during a burglary and killed one of them while seriously injuring the others
Nacho pictured at the back alongside Lola and Parker

One dog, Nacho, was found next to the railway track at Harlow Mill. Sadly, he had to be put to sleep due to the severity of his injuries.

The other two dogs, Parker and Lola, were found close to the train tracks with serious injuries.

Linford was further arrested on suspicion of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and later charged.

After pleading guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and burglary, he was sentenced to a total of two years and six months in prison.

Linford, who uses the first name Marco but may also go by the name Billy or Billie Linford, was also issued with a restraining order against the victim, an Animal Disqualification Order and ordered to pay compensation to the victim.

Following the sentence, the dogs’ owner said the following: “No sentence given to Mark Linford (Marco) will ever do justice for the loss of my little Nacho and the devastation it’s caused the whole family and the other two dogs.

“You never think that something so awful could ever happen to you.

“Our animals are like our children, totally innocent.”

Detective Constable Sarah Faircloth, who led the investigation said “Mark Linford made the decision to take the victim’s three defenceless dogs which goes to show what a dangerous individual he is. The anguish and heartache he has caused is irreparable, which no prison sentence will ever compensate.

“I must commend the victim for her courage throughout the investigation, her support and dedication for justice for Nacho, which in my opinion was the main reason Linford had no choice but to admit his guilt.”

Sentencing | two years and six months in prison; animal disqualification order of unspecified duration.

EssexLive

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire: Sam Bodington

Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Samuel Bodington, born 22 May 1990, of Aire Street, Goole DN14 5QE – strangled a chihuahua and attacked his girlfriend in a drug-fuelled rage.

Domestic abuser and animal abuser Samuel Bodington from Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Image credit: HullLive

Bodington’s girlfriend was looking after the female dog, known as Luna, because she had been cruelly mistreated by a previous owner. Following the vicious attack by junkie Bodington, the tiny pet was left with her tongue hanging out and became “very shaken and jumpy”.

Sentencing was originally imposed in July 2023 after Bodington admitted the intentional strangulation of his girlfriend and causing unnecessary suffering to her pet dog. He was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence but this was activated in late March 2024 after he repeatedly failed to attend appointments with the probation service.

Michael Forrest, prosecuting, told the original hearing that Bodington’s girlfriend had been looking after Luna.

Bodington arrived at her home in Goole at 7.30pm on April 21, 2023, for a party where everyone was drinking. He and his girlfriend took Pregabalin tablets obtained from a drug dealer.

“The defendant’s behaviour changed like a switch had been flipped,” said Mr Forrest.

Bodington became agitated and he was hallucinating and being loud and aggressive, causing the woman to become scared.

“She told him to leave but he didn’t leave,” said Mr Forrest.

Bodington began calling her names. She was lying on a sofa with the dog when Bodington launched himself at her and dragged them both to the floor. While they were on the floor, he took hold of her throat and the neck of the dog.

He squeezed the woman’s neck, causing her to gasp for air, and he held on to the dog’s neck, causing her tongue to hang out of her mouth.

The woman forced Bodington to release his grip. She alerted the police and Bodington was arrested.

“Luna was very shaken and jumpy,” said Mr Forrest. The woman later said that Bodington’s attack on her was unprovoked.

During the original hearing Judge John Thackray KC told Bodingonn: “Your behaviour on the evening in question was appalling. Your victim must have been terrified. The dog must have been terrified.

“This could have been so much more serious. Sometimes it only takes a few seconds from when someone is strangled to them losing consciousness.”

Sentencing | 16-month immediate custodial (previously suspended), Banned from keeping animals for just two years (expires July 2025).

HullLive

Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex: Robert Manton and Natasha Butler

2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Robert Manton aka Rob Philpot, born 1986, and Natasha Butler, born November 1979, of Stonham Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea CO16 7EH – neglected and physically abused their two dogs.

RSPCA prosecution of Clacton-on-Sea couple Robert Manton and Natasha Butler for cruelty to two dogs.
Butler and Manton were banned from keeping animals for life after being captured on video abusing their two dogs.

The RSPCA investigated Manton and Butler after receiving video evidence of their cruelty towards a Staffy called Bruce and Jack Russell-type Snoop. This included footage showing Manton kicking and hitting both dogs.

On January 13, 2023 the charity attended the couple’s home in Clacton with police and removed the dogs.

RSPCA prosecution of Clacton-on-Sea couple Robert Manton and Natasha Butler for cruelty to two dogs.
Bruce (pictured) and Snoop thrived in the RSPCA’s care and have been rehomed

Further evidence was provided of the two dogs fighting outside and running loose in the street and one of the dogs attacking the other. There was no intervention by their owners, thereby facilitating the suffering of the animal being attacked The two dogs were kept together and there was no provision to keep Snoop safe.

RSPCA prosecution of Clacton-on-Sea couple Robert Manton and Natasha Butler for cruelty to two dogs.
Snoop

Both dogs had skin disease and were infested with fleas. They were also being kept in unsuitable conditions.

Manton, who is no stranger to Essex Police, was found guilty in his absence while Butler pleaded guilty to failing to meet the welfare needs of Snoop and Bruce by one or a combination of the following:

  • Failing to address the skin condition affecting one or both dogs
  • Failing to adequately control the dogs resulting in the dogs fighting each other
  • Keeping the dogs in an unsuitable environment containing hazardous items and which was contaminated by urine and faeces
  • Failing to protect the dogs from stress by punching or kicking them
  • Exercising the dogs on the highway without the dogs being kept on leads meaning that the dogs were not under control or safe
  • Failing to provide routine preventative health care such as vaccination and parasitic control.

In mitigation, the court was told Manton was suffering from mental health issues and he had lost a relative to cancer. The dogs were not his, but he was aware of their conditions. In mitigation Butler also said she had been suffering with mental health issues.

RSPCA prosecution of Clacton-on-Sea couple Robert Manton and Natasha Butler for cruelty to two dogs.

Speaking after the case RSPCA inspector Emma Beynon said: “Bruce and Snoop should have been protected and kept safe, but sadly this was not the case. The couple failed them in so many ways.

“Both dogs were taken into RSPCA care and both continued to thrive and they have now been rehomed.

“I would also like to thank the witnesses in this case – which was a difficult one for all involved.

Sentencing |
Manton: 17 week prison sentence for the animal welfare offence with one further week added for his failure to surrender. He also activated a previous suspended sentence – which resulted in a further 40 weeks’ imprisonment to run consecutively.

Butler: 12-week prison sentence with additional time added for failure to surrender; 30 days of rehabilitation activity; costs of £600 plus £154 victim surcharge.

Both were disqualified from keeping animals for life.

EssexLive

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

Shard End, Birmingham: Lauren Hatch

4 Comments

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, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Gravelly Hill, Birmingham: Steven Jaye

Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Steven A Jaye, born c. 1989, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham B23 but originally from Dudley – caught kicking and dragging his dog, before picking her up and dropping her on the ground.

RSPCA prosecution of dog abuser Steven Jaye from Birmingham.

Jaye was challenged by members of the public after mistreating the collie-type dog, known as Lelo, in a public place.

He was reported to the police and prosecuted by the RSPCA.

CCTV was obtained which showed him being cruel to the dog.

RSPCA prosecution of dog abuser Steven Jaye from Birmingham. Victim Lelo.
Victim Lelo is in a loving new home

Jaye admitted an animal welfare offence at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on February 28, 2024.

The court heard he felt ‘very sorry and ashamed’ of his actions.

RSPCA inspector Vicky Taylor, who investigated for the charity, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a defenceless dog. It is completely unacceptable to treat any animal in this way and we will always look into reports of animal cruelty and, where necessary, seek justice for that animal.”

Lelo was signed over into the care of the RSPCA and has since been rehomed.

Sentencing | 100 hours of unpaid work, ten days of rehabilitation activity; £350 in costs and £114 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for five years, but may appeal after three years (expires February 2029).

BirminghamLive

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Leicester: Benn Ryan

3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Benn Ryan, born c. 1988, of no fixed abode, Leicester – caught on camera whacking his dog causing the pet to yelp in pain.

Ryan was immediately arrested after police officers witnessed him hitting the dog.

The incident, which happened on Monday, March 11, 2024, was filmed and later uploaded to social media.

He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and to being in possession of Class B drugs and was fined £80. No mention of a ban.

Leicestershire Police and the Court and Tribunals Service Centre could not say what had happened to the dog after the incident.

LeicestershireLive

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Hollym, East Riding of Yorkshire: Aidan Swift

5 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Aidan Swift, born 11 July 1981, from Holmpton Road, Hollym, Withernsea HU19 2QG – kicked his girlfriend’s Chihuahua to death in a fit of jealous rage.

Dog killer and domestic abuser Aidan Swift from Hollym, Withernsea, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Swift flew into a jealous rage and kicked the little dog, Kiki, so hard that she died immediately. He also hit his girlfriend with a piece of wood and threatened to kill her.

He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog on April 7, 2023. He also admitted to being controlling and hurting his girlfriend and threatening to kill her.

Dog killer and domestic abuser Aidan Swift from Hollym, Withernsea, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Sentencing Swift the judge stated his behaviour was “appalling” adding that “Kiki was only a small dog, but you must have kicked it hard to kill it. I simply can’t bring myself to express my view about that.”

“You will appreciate that I have dogs myself. The way you treated her pet has left me no alternative but to impose a sentence of imprisonment.

“These offences are simply too serious to overlook.”

Sentencing | two-and-a-half years in prison including one year for the attack on Kiki. Five-year restraining order. Prohibited from owning and/or keeping dogs for five years but may apply for the ban to be lifted after three years (expires March 2029).

YorkshireLive
Daily Mail