Category Archives: badger baiting

badger baiting, deer, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Lifers, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

City of Lancaster, Lancashire: Tom Lloyd, Jay Jones and Steven Dixon

March 18, 2024 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | wildlife killers Thomas Graham Michael Lloyd, born 28 December 1986, of Slaidburn Drive, Lancaster LA1 4QX; Jay Stuart Jones born 5 March 1987, of Barley Cop Lane, Lancaster LA1 2PP; and Steven Dixon, born 9 November 1983 of 63 Keswick Road, Lancaster LA1 3LF – for sadistic cruelty towards multiple deer and at least one badger.

Lancaster men Tom Lloyd (left) and Jay Jones were both sent to prison for serious wildlife offences — Tom Lloyd (left) and Jay Jones were both sent to prison for serious wildlife offences

The sadistic trio were all convicted of a range of wildlife offences, including cutting a deer’s throat and restraining a deer to enable dogs to attack it.

Prosecution of wildlife criminal Tom Lloyd from Lancaster, and accomplices Steven Dixon and Jay Jones. — Tom Lloyd was the ringleader of the sick gang of criminals

Tom Lloyd pleaded guilty to four offences of causing unnecessary suffering to deer and a badger, with videos showing the deer’s neck being stood on to enable dogs to attack the animal, and the deer’s throat being cut repeatedly. He was sentenced to 33 months in prison and was disqualified from keeping dogs for life.

Jay Jones pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a deer by restraining the animal to allow dogs to attack it. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and was disqualified from keeping dogs for six years.

Steven Dixon pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a deer by repeatedly cutting its throat. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison which was suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days, a six-month mental health programme and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Other videos showed dogs being set upon a badger and a deer

In February 2022, Lancashire Police seized a mobile phone from Jay Jones which revealed videos showing wildlife offences and the RSPCA were called to assist.

The charity’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) worked with police who executed warrants at premises occupied by all three defendants in May 2022.

Prosecution of wildlife criminal Tom Lloyd from Lancaster, and accomplices Steven Dixon and Jay Jones.. Dogs seized from two of the men. — Two dogs of the four seized from backyard breeders Tom Lloyd and Jay Jones were pregnant

Four dogs were seized: a black lurcher called Hector and a tan and white lurcher, called Chanelle from Lloyd; and a dark brindle lurcher, called Blaze, and a grey merle lurcher, called Dixie, from Jones.

Dixie and Chanelle were both pregnant and had puppies in the RSPCA’s care.

A number of videos showed the cruelty inflicted on deer and a badger.

A written statement, presented to the court in an expert witness report said: “The videos presented have been produced in darkness with the use of a lamp to illuminate the activity of a number of lurcher type dogs pursuing and attacking deer and a badger.

“Two videos indicate a male person to have repeatedly stabbed and cut the skin of the animal’s neck causing further suffering via the mechanism of pain while already being attacked by dogs.”

In one of the videos, Lloyd, who is filming, says: ‘Here we are lads, got a stag’, and shows a deer that has been caught being attacked by dogs.

Later in the video, one of the men can be seen holding the deer’s head while he cuts its throat with a knife.

RSPCA SOU officer Jason Bowles, who led the investigation, said, after sentencing: “We investigate some horrific cases and, sadly, see animals suffering truly gruesome acts at the hands of people.

“The videos in this case are yet another example of the barbaric torture that we regularly see being inflicted upon wildlife we should all be trying to protect and help.

“Sadly, people who enjoy these hideous pastimes continue to offend across the picturesque, rural countryside of England and Wales. “But the RSPCA will not rest in bringing people like these to justice.”

Sergeant James Pinder, who led the warrants and searches for Lancashire Police, said: “The guilty pleas in this case were entered/im after a two year-long, detailed investigation by the RSPCA and Lancashire Police’s West Division Rural Task Force. I’d firstly like to praise the thoroughness and tenacity of those investigators.

“The extremely graphic nature of the many videos recovered shocked all who worked on the case.

“I welcome the sentences imposed and hope they send a clear message to those people who would seek to commit similar offences. “I would encourage anyone with information about the illegal persecution of wildlife to report it by calling 1010, or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Blaze, Chanelle (and her nine puppies), and Dixie (plus her seven puppies) can all now be rehomed.

Hector will remain in RSPCA care subject to a further court hearing regarding his ownership.

Lancaster Guardian
LancsLive

animal fighting / baiting, Animal Torture, badger baiting, Birds, deer, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Worksop, Nottinghamshire: Daniel Taylor

March 7, 2024 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | sadistic Daniel Taylor, born c. 1992, of 99 Shrewsbury Road, Manton, Worksop S89 2TX – tortured, killed and mutilated more than 100 deer, foxes, badgers and pigeons.

CPS prosecution of ultra-sadistic wildlife persecutor Daniel Taylor from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

A police search of the home Daniel Taylor shares with company director wife Georgina Ruth Taylor, née Georgina Brigham, revealed over 100 graphic phone videos and images which showed him attacking, decapitating and encouraging his dogs to fight and kill wildlife.

Prosecutor Lucy Woodcock told the court: “In some videos he is seen dissecting the animals and ripping internal organs out”.

Officers also found 15 deer heads and 14 fox tails, as well as snares and weapons.

Police found a shocking hoard of deer skulls, fox tails and weapons at Worksop man Daniel Taylor's family home — Police found a shocking hoard of deer skulls, fox tails and weapons at Daniel Taylor’s family home

A blood-stained quad bike and lamping equipment were also recovered.

Police arrested Taylor, confiscated his phone and removed his dogs from the house as part of the investigation.

Officers were able to map the images and videos on his phone to specific locations.

PC Mark Holland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “From this we were able to prove when and where most of the animals were killed and link this evidence in with several reports of poaching.

“We also received intelligence which helped establish Taylor was in areas at the relevant times.”

PC Ben Harrison said: “At the back of Taylor’s premises we found what was essentially a slaughterhouse for animals.

“Taylor clearly took pleasure out of his dogs torturing these animals.

“They were clearly being trained to get hold of these animals and rip them to shreds.

“The videos were gruesome and the sounds of the animals squealing in pain were horrible.

“In one particular video, while Taylor was filming one of these acts, he dropped his phone and it flipped over. He bent over to pick it up and it captured a full face shot of him. There was no question over who was doing the filming or who was the owner of these videos.”

The court heard Taylor had played a leading role in “sadistic behaviour” which was “prolonged and repeated” between August 2021 and February 2023.

Sentencing Taylor, Judge Mark Watson told him: “These offences cannot in any way be described as sport. This was a barbaric hobby of yours.

“This was planned activity by you and you clearly revelled in the suffering of these animals.

“You encouraged your dogs to attack these animals with ferocity and they suffered immeasurably.

“These were prolonged and repeated incidents of serious cruelty and examples of sadistic behaviour.”

Sentencing | jailed for two years and eight months. Banned from owning, keeping or participating in keeping dogs for at least seven years

ITV News

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking, foxes, hunting with dogs, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Beaumont, Lancaster: Dane Crawford and Shelby Wallis

February 7, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Dane Crawford, born c. 1993, and Shelby Wallis (born 3 October 2000), both of 18 Howgill Avenue, Lancaster LA1 2HG – for offences relating to illegal ear cropping and serious wildlife crime.

Animal abusers. RSPCA prosecution of Lancaster couple Dane Crawford and Shelby Wallis. — Lancaster man Dane Crawford was jailed for 30 months and given a lifetime ban for a ‘portfolio’ of animal cruelty offences against a fox and his own pet dogs, while partner Shelby Wallis walked free with a suspended prison sentence and 10-year ban.

Crawford and Wallis both pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act, which included failing to treat their two lurchers’ injuries, including one badly fractured leg, and for allowing the ears of two of their bullbreeds – Drey and Shakira – to be illegally cropped.

Crawford also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a fox after setting dogs on the wild animal inside a garage.

The RSPCA launched an investigation following reports of puppies having their ears cropped, leading to a warrant being executed by police at a property in Lancaster in February 2022.

A number of dogs were present but there was no evidence of any crimes having been committed.

During the property search, two mobile phones were recovered which contained images and videos of wildlife being attacked by dogs. This prompted a further warrant, on November 1 2022, in which Crawford was arrested.

During this search, more dogs were found at the property, including two lurchers – called Major and Lassie – with untreated injuries, and bullbreeds with cropped ears. Five dogs in total were removed and placed into RSPCA care.

Investigators also looked into the images and videos from the phones, two of which showed foxes being set loose in confined spaces with dogs encouraged to attack them.

RSPCA Inspector Will Lamping, who led the investigation, said after the case: “An image was recovered showing Crawford in very distinctive trainers with one of his dogs, holding a dead fox.

“We could identify him within the video of the fox being attacked because of these trainers.”

A vet assessed the lurchers and bullbreeds after they were removed from the home of Crawford and Wallis.

She described Major’s facial injuries as “unusual” and “traumatic”, and suspected they’d been caused by another animal at least 72 hours before. She said, in her witness statement, that the owner should have sought veterinary advice.

She described Lassie’s fractured leg as ‘a traumatic wound’, adding: “I am not sure how it happened but the dog has been left with a very painful leg and the owner had not sought timely veterinary advice. As such there was development of swelling and more pain, and infection.”

Inspector Lamping added: “In interview, Crawford told me he got the two lurchers six weeks before from Appleby. Wallis told me that the three bullbreed dogs were hers and that they’d been imported.”

Lassie and Major were signed over into the RSPCA’s care a few days after they were removed. After spending some time receiving treatment, were both rehomed. The bullbreeds were signed over at a later date.

Sentencing the couple, Judge Simon Medland KC said they had shown “cruel and neglectful behaviour” which caused the animals to suffer “to a substantial degree”.

Addressing Crawford in relation to the offences against the fox, he said: “Your behaviour was criminal and utterly shocking.”

Following the sentencing, Inspector Lamping said: “This case sends a clear message to those that choose to engage in wildlife persecution and ear cropping that their cruel activities will not be tolerated.

“It took many hours to comb through the videos and pictures on the phones recovered; but this work uncovered the serious level of cruelty shown to both the wild animals literally being thrown to the dogs – and to the puppies whose ears were being mutilated.

“The defendants’ own dogs were used in these attacks and were left without vet treatment for serious injuries – including a fractured leg.

“Both have been handed lengthy bans on keeping animals, and handed prison or suspended prison sentences, for their treatment of animals.”

Sentencing |
Crawford: 30 months in prison; £3,500 towards costs. Disqualified from keeping all animals for life.
Wallis: three-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; 200 hours of unpaid work; £2,500 towards costs. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

ITV News
Lancashire Telegraph
BBC News
Companion Life

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Weaverham, Cheshire: Liam Talbot

January 15, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Liam Talbot, born 1996, of 28 Rowan Road, Weaverham, Northwich CW8 3DU – forced dogs to fight foxes and badgers to the death.

Wildlife killer Liam Talbot from Weaverham, Cheshire, UK. Pictures: Facebook

Talbot pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

He admitted making dogs fights with foxes and badgers, causing three dogs to fight with wild animals and taking and killing a badger.

Images produced in the prosecution against wildlife killer Liam Talbot

He also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a bull lurcher cross-type dog named Cid by failing to provide vet care and attention for an injury to his upper left canine tooth.

The animal fights were uncovered through Talbot’s social media posts, with Talbot uploading compilation videos of images to TikTok.

These videos were found as a result of investigations by The Naturewatch Foundation and were subsequently passed across to the police and RSPCA.

One video showed images of a person with a lamp at their waist, holding a black and white Lurcher-type dog by the collar with his left hand and a fox in his right hand.

The compilation video also shows images of a person holding up a fox whilst with a black and white Lurcher-type dog; while another person is shown holding a Lurcher-type dog on a lead in his right hand and a fox in his left hand. The fox has an injury to its hindquarters.

Another TikTok compilation videos show three dogs attacking a fox, two dogs attacking a badger, and other images of foxes and dogs.

A police warrant took place at Wolvesley Place in Winsford on February 22, 2023, during which two dogs belonging to Talbot were found.

Pepper, a nine-year-old female tan bull lurcher and Cid a nine-year-old male black bull lurcher, both had scarring to their faces and chests and were present in the digital evidence presented to the court.

A written statement from an expert veterinary surgeon said they had examined several videos that showed a ‘number of dogs in circumstances suggestive of those dogs being used for the purpose of hunting wild mammals’.

In his conclusions, he said Cid would have suffered as a consequence of an injury to the left upper canine tooth.

He said: “Once removed the tooth was described as being rotten, suggesting a timescale of at least 10 days, probably longer.”

After viewing video footage he said that both Pepper and Cid were “repeatedly placed in circumstances that exposed them to injury by fighting with wild mammals such as a fox and/or badger.

He added: “The skin scars found to be present on both of these dogs are consistent with injury via such a mechanism.”

Talbot pleaded guilty to:

Sec 4 Animal Welfare Act, Causing Unnecessary Suffering, for Sid (Dog) (Tooth)
Sec 8 Animal Welfare Act, animal fight (dogs/badgers and dogs/foxes)
Sec 9 Animal Welfare Act for three dogs causing them to fight with wild animals)
Protection Of Badgers Act Sec1 and 2 for taking and killing a badger.

Pepper and Cid were officially handed over to the RSPCA and will now be rehomed.

Speaking about the case, Chief inspector Ian Muttit, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), said: “Badger baiting has been illegal for more than 180 years, yet we still find people spending their time inflicting sickening pain, suffering and misery on animals in this way.

“It is also horrifying to see that perpetrators are then creating videos glorifying attacks on wildlife and flagrantly posting them on social media for others to view.

“We will continue to stand up for animals involved in wildlife persecution and for the dogs often caught up in these horrifying attacks.

“We would very much like to thank The Naturewatch Foundation for their initial investigations and also Cheshire Police.”

Sentencing | 16-week custodial, suspended for 18 months; community order with 25 hours of rehabilitation; six-month mental health treatment requirement; £500 costs, £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all animals for three years (expires January 2027).

Cheshire Constabulary
Northwich Guardian

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Elham, East Kent: Robert and Jack Mills

December 22, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | father and son wildlife persecutors Robert Mills, born c. 1956, and Jack Mills, born c. 2001, both of Little Orchard, Exted, Elham, Canterbury CT4 6YG – used superglue to patch up the wounds of a dog forced to fight a fox.

East Kent wildlife killers and dog abusers Robert Mills and son Jack Mills from Canterbury — Jack Mills (left), his father Robert Mills (centre) and an as yet unidentified Kent Hounds terrierman. Photo credit: West Kent Hunt Sabs

Robert and Jack Mills, who are believed to be terriermen with the Kent Hounds, used the strong commercial adhesive in a botched DIY effort to put the Patterdale terrier’s lip back together after she was maimed during the illegal chase.

The terrier, known as Fudge, was one of two dogs discovered with shocking injuries at the pair’s family home in Elham, near Canterbury.

The other, a lurcher called Rose, had extensive scars across her face, a large part of her tongue missing and she had a weeping nailbed on one of her paws.

The Mills had allowed the animals to suffer without seeking proper treatment for their injuries.

Incriminating messages – including a photo of a smiling Jack Mills posing with a dead fox – were found during examinations of their mobile photos.

In court, both men pleaded to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

East Kent wildlife killer and dog abuser Jack Mills from Canterbury

The court was told police executed a warrant at their home on January 18, 2023, as part of an RSPCA investigation known as Operation Aurora.

In a statement provided to the court, RSPCA special operations officer Jason Bowles, said: “Rose from kennel A had a large part of the skin around her lower jaw missing and part of her tongue. Her feet were discoloured. She had extensive scarring to her face and muzzle.

Images of animals harmed by Robert Mills and Jack Mills of Little Orchard, Exted, Canterbury

“Fudge from kennel A had part of her lower jaw in an unusual state in that it looked to have been injured in the past and had healed in an odd shape and she had scarring to the muzzle.

“There was a strong smell of ammonia in the building but I took into consideration that this was early in the morning, possibly before an early morning routine had been executed.

“Bedding was inadequate in all kennels in that they did have hard beds but only remnants of straw in some.

“Water bowls were present but at least one kennel only had remnants of water. Bowls could easily be knocked over and spills take place. Empty bowls were refilled.”

Of the five dogs kept in kennels in the outbuilding, two of them – Rose and Fudge – were seized.

Patterdale Fudge suffered horrific facial injuries after wildlife killers Robert Mills and Jack Mills forced her to fight wildlife — The court was shown messages discussing how Robert and Jack Mills had used glue to try to repair degloved tissue on a dog’s lip after she had been injured by a fox. No pain relief had been sought

Recounting the notes of an expert veterinarian who examined the animals, prosecutor Janet Patel told magistrates: “There was damage to the skin of Rose’s lower jaw with the site of a deep tear or cut visible on the lower jaw and a loss of the lip margin contiguity.

“A significant amount of the tongue had been lost in a surgical or traumatic incident. The lesions are consistent with those that could be received in a fight between this dog and a large mammal such as a dog, fox, or badger.”

The vet added that a nail was missing on Rose’s left paw, oozing fluid and causing clear pain to the dog.

Fudge was found to have suffered significant damage to his face and head, and was missing a number of front teeth.

“The person caring for Fudge cut off some tissue, used commercial superglue to try and repair degloved tissue on her face and did not administer any pain medication,” the prosecutor added.

Messages shared between Robert and Jack Mills – both bricklayers by trade – described the dogs being used to hunt foxes.

Lurcher Rose suffered a catalogue of painful injuries after wildlife killers Robert Mills and Jack Mills forced her to fight wildlife

Records from their phones indicated Fudge was caused harm in November 2021.

The vet added: “The entries, dated 16.11.2021, lead me to believe that Fudge was involved in a fight with a mammal such as a fox, large dog, or badger.

“The use of the word ‘hangin’ implies the lower jaw has been degloved to some extent, leaving the tissue literally hanging. There are two more statements. Firstly, that super glue has been used to try and put it back together and secondly that some of the flesh has been cut away.”
This referred to a message, containing a typo, which said: “I just cut a bit of.”

The vet continued: “To advise the court in this matter I am forming my opinion on the basis that the person caring for Fudge cut off some tissue, used commercial super glue to try and repair the degloved tissue and did not administer any medication.”

Another mobile phone message discovered by officers read: “Had any joy with the fox?”

A picture of a dead fox was also shared with the words: “Went out this morning, Fudge killed it.”

Ms Patel added: “That is the language of both Jack and Robert tracking and killing foxes, and it is not them flushing a fox out so that it can be killed humanely with a pistol.

“Both Jack and Robert Mills have shown deliberate disregard for the welfare of animals by placing them in situations where they sustained these horrific injuries.”

When questioned by police, Robert said that the dogs’ facial injuries had occurred when Rose and Fudge encountered a badger in the garden and that both dogs had been attacked by a rabbit.

But his son contradicted that claim in an interview, saying that neither dog had ever come across a badger.

Mitigating, solicitor Sam Harkness told the bench both men were remorseful.

“Mr Mills says he has owned dogs all his life. He deeply regrets his actions and Mr Mills Junior says this is a steep learning curve,” said Mr Harkness.

“They are both devastated that they have been involved in these proceedings, but they have cooperated.”

The charges related specifically to Fudge’s facial injury and the wound to Rose’s foot, which was sustained in the days before the police visit in January 2023.

During a discussion about the prospect of both defendants being banned from keeping any animals, the pair were seen intensely shaking their heads.

Sentencing the pair, chairwoman of the bench Patricia Light told them they had “broken the custody threshold because there is more than one dog with deliberate suffering,”

She added: “The fact that you have access to a vet and financial means to pay for treatment and yet still did not seek treatment shows deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animals.”

She continued: “We are also granting a deprivation order for Fudge and Rose and the RSPCA will seize your other dogs.

“We are also granting a disqualification order for both of you in relation to owning, keeping, or participating in controlling or transporting any animals for five years, no application may be made to appeal this for two years.”

Rose and Fudge, who have remained with the RSPCA since January 2023, can now be rehomed.

The Mills’ other three dogs will be seized within 14 days, with magistrates also giving them two weeks to rehome a number of chickens and ferrets.

Sentencing | 23-week custodial, suspended for two years; 150 hours of unpaid work; £500 costs and £154 surcharge each. Five year ban in relation to all animals, but can appeal after two years (expires December 2028).

Kent Online
ITV News

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Marykirk, Aberdeenshire: Ryan Martin

December 7, 2023 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | gamekeeper Ryan Martin, born 28 August 2000, of Balmanno Cottages, Marykirk, Laurencekirk AB30 1US – set his dogs on foxes and badgers and filmed the carnage.

Gamekeeper Ryan Martin, from Marykirk, Aberdeenshire made dogs fight with foxes and badgers — Ryan Martin, who is a father, uploaded twisted social media videos of his dogs killing badgers and foxes

Martin, who is employed as a gamekeeper, posted twisted videos to TikTok and Snapchat showing bloody clashes between his dogs and foxes or badgers. Martin is heard on the videos goading his dogs into attacking the wild animals.

Martin was prosecuted following an investigation by the Scottish SPCA’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) after they received intelligence in January 2022.

On February 9, 2022, SSPCA inspectors and police officers visited Martin at the home he shares with fiancée Lia Stewart in the Aberdeenshire village of Marykirk.

A search was undertaken of the property and Martin’s mobile phone was seized. Three dogs, who looked similar to those in Martin’s social media videos, were also removed. .

The seized dogs, who all had fresh and historical animal fighting injuries, were brindle lurcher Boss, tan and white lurcher Storm and brindle deerhound/greyhound Beau.

Marykirk man Ryan Martin's dogs had fresh wounds and historical injuries caused by illegal fighting with wildlife. — Martin’s dogs had fresh wounds and historical injuries caused by illegal fighting with wildlife.

The dogs were examined by a vet who concluded: “It is my opinion that these dogs have been repeatedly involved in fighting with other animals and, in the case of Storm, the injuries are consistent with fighting with a badger.

“The injuries in Beau do not exclude fighting with badgers. The injuries in these dogs would have caused them pain and suffering.

“In summary, it is my considered opinion that these dogs were involved in illegal wild animal fighting activities.

“The type and distribution of injuries on Storm is consistent with wounds sustained during ‘badger baiting’ – an illegal activity where both the dogs and badgers suffer a great deal.”

Boss was found to have multiple healed injuries and scars, as well as a “deformity” to the lower lip. These injuries were deemed by a vet “consistent with, but not exclusive to, wild animal fighting injuries”.

Forensic examination of Martin’s phone uncovered numerous videos of his dogs fighting with foxes and badgers.

One 60-second video, which had been posted to Snapchat, showed Storm with the top of a badger’s head in her mouth whilst Beau and Boss are biting and attacking the badger all over his body and legs.

Depute fiscal Clair Stewart told the court: “The badger’s head and body are heavily blood-stained. A dog can be heard squealing and the badger can be seen to have a hold of Storm’s snout and lower jaw within its mouth.

“Throughout this clip, the accused can be heard shouting, ‘Get on, get on, chi chi chi chi’.”

Storm is seen “gripping the badger’s head in her mouth” while Beau and Boss bite at the badger, which is “twisting and wriggling on the roadway”.

Ms Stewart continued: “Storm’s face is buried into the chest of the badger, which appears to have a grip of her by her face.

“The accused can still be heard shouting encouragement to the dogs,

‘Get on, dogs, get on, get in there, chi chi chi.

“The video ends with Beau and Storm sitting within the rear of a vehicle with bleeding and fresh injuries to their noses.

“The accused can be heard to say, ‘Look at her, man. Go on, dogs. Piggies. Wayhay.’”

Pigs or piggies is a slang term for badgers commonly used by wildlife criminals like Martin.

A second video, posted on TikTok, shows Storm standing in a field with blood around her chest, face and head.

Storm and an unidentified lurcher dog then attack a live badger before the video cuts into another where a fox “appears to have Storm by the collar”.

At the start of a third video, posted on TikTok, Martin tells his audience: “Hold on to your fucking hats. What you’re about to see isn’t 100% legal”.

A series of photographs then show several dogs standing in a field followed by a video of Storm beside a dead fox lying on the ground.

Martin initially denied causing his dogs to fight with badgers and foxes on various occasions but later changed his plea to guilty.

His lawyer Gregor Kelly of Lefevre Litigation initially claimed his client was “out at night shooting foxes as he thinks he’s entitled to do with his dogs.”

Kelly continued: “At the time, when foxes have been shot, he encourages the dogs to go and retrieve, as they’re trained to do, and dispatch the foxes.

“On one occasion, they encountered a badger.”

Kelly conceded that “immature” and “frightened” Martin saw foxes and badgers as “vermin” but “accepts these are views not acceptable in modern Scotland”.

He told the court that Martin planned to work as a joiner to support his partner and children in the future.

Sheriff Ian Wallace told Martin: “I don’t accept the explanation you gave to the social worker.

“It’s clear from the narrative you were causing, intentionally, these animals to fight and that caused injuries and/or death to not just the foxes and badgers but to your own dogs.”

Martin has since signed ownership of the dogs over to the SSPCA, which has rehomed them.

Sentencing | 175 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping or working with dogs for just five years (expires December 2028).

Press & Journal (behind paywall)
Daily Record

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Burnley, Lancashire: Brandon Lawlor

October 5, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | wildlife persecutor Brandon Lawlor, born 29 December 1999, of Lowerhouse Lane, Rose Grove, Burnley BB12 6HZ – goaded two dogs into fighting with a badger.

Badger baiter Brandon Lawlor from Burnley, Lancashire

Irish traveller Lawlor, a former jockey and employee of Sue Smith Racing, was prosecuted alongside accomplice Carl Harwood (sentenced in February 2021) after footage on his mobile phone showed him illegally fighting two dogs with a badger in Lancashire.

One of the dogs had 22 individual scarred puncture wounds on the side of his head from the incident.

Toby suffered a litany of injuries consistent with badger baiting

The “absolutely horrific” film, which was recorded in Burnley in June 2021, was described by an RSPCA inspector as “very difficult to watch and to listen to”.

Lawlor pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Protection of Badgers Act 1991 when he appeared at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on September 21, 2023, in a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

There had been a warrant out for his arrest.

Magistrates were told police found the disturbing footage on his mobile phone on August 13, 2021, after he was being investigated for non-related offences.

Two dogs, including a 14-month-old bull lurcher called Toby, were seen attacking the badger on the head, throat and back, with a male voice encouraging them on.

RSPCA inspector Lyndsey Taylor, along with the charity’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) and Lancashire Police’s Ribble Valley rural task force, visited the defendant’s house on October 19, 2021.

The court heard how they went into the living room and saw Toby being held on a lead.

The dog, who was wearing the same type of collar as that seen in the mobile phone footage, had a significant scar which ran lengthwise along almost the entire length of the top of his head.

On the left-hand side of the lower jaw and surrounding area there were 22 individual scarred puncture wounds, and on the right-hand side there were nine.

Badger baiter Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire — Harwood was convicted in relation to the same incident and sentenced in February 2023

More recent scarring and scabbing was seen underneath the dog’s left hind paw and lower leg.

Carl Harwood, who was at the property with Lawlor, told the officers the injuries had been sustained while out lamping and ratting.

Inspector Taylor was concerned about Toby’s welfare and he was seized by police and taken by the RSPCA to be seen by a vet.

In her evidence to the court, inspector Taylor described the mobile phone footage.

She said: “It was filmed in the dark but two dogs can be seen attacking a badger as initially, when the recording begins, a bright light can be seen being shone on the animals.

“The footage is very difficult to watch and to listen to, it is absolutely horrific.

“All the way through the footage the badger can be heard screaming in pain and it is extremely distressed, with the dogs heard panting also.

“At around eight seconds, when Toby has lost interest and has left the badger, a male voice can be heard to say something like ‘here Toby, Toby get it, get it.’

“The dog can then be seen joining the first dog in attacking the badger again.

“The men heard to be present during the recording made no attempt or effort to get the dogs under control and prevent them from fighting and attacking the badger.”

Her colleague, inspector Chris Haywood from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, which investigates wildlife crime, also gave evidence.

He said: “In my opinion, and based on previous experience, these wounds were caused by close combative contact with a badger.

“In 34 years of dealing with dogs I have never seen these types of injuries on any other breeds other than lurchers, bull lurchers and terriers, and known them to be caused by any other means than by a badger.”

In his evidence, the vet who examined Toby said the scars on his head, muzzle, throat and chest, represented skin injuries that had healed and had therefore occurred at least four weeks prior to his examination.

“In my opinion, Toby would have been caused to suffer in the absence of timely and appropriate veterinary care at the time of skin injury,” he said.

“With regards to the video footage, the person present at the time the two dogs were attacking the badger failed to take reasonable steps to intervene and bring the dog under close control in order to prevent him from continuing to fight with the badger, thereby failing to protect these animals from injury, pain and suffering.”

In mitigation, the court heard Lawlor had been a jockey who had come over from Ireland after his career had ended because of injury.

He said he accepted badger baiting was abhorrent and apologised for his actions.

Toby was cared for by the RSPCA. The whereabouts and owner of the other dog seen in the video are unknown.

Speaking after sentencing, inspector Taylor said: “This case has taken a long time to conclude but I’m pleased that both men who were involved in this case have been held to account for their actions.

“Illegal badger baiting causes significant pain, suffering, huge distress and even death to the animals involved, all for the enjoyment of people who take part in it and shockingly, find pleasure in such activities.

“We would urge anyone with information about incidents like this to report them to the RSPCA or their local rural crime team.”

Co-defendant Carl Harwood, of 16 Cobden Street, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8DS, was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from keeping animals for five years in February 2023.

Sentencing | jailed for eight weeks.

Lancashire Telegraph
Manchester Evening News

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Halifax, West Yorkshire: Lee Gladwin

August 24, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED | Lee Peter Gladwin, born 20 March 1991, of 11 Myrtle Drive, Halifax HX2 8HQ – left two dogs in ‘intense acute pain’ with injuries consistent with badger baiting.

Halifax wildlife persecutor Lee Gladwin left his dogs in acute pain with injuries consistent with badger baiting

Gladwin, a self-employed joiner trading under the name LPG General Joinery, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a brown female Patterdale terrier and a black male Patterdale terrier.

A warrant was carried out by West Yorkshire Police on April 14 2022 along with the RSPCA special operations unit at 99 Tewit Lane, Halifax HX2 9SD.

Two dogs were seized by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA.
The female dog was seen to have some scarring to the face and also had an injury to the lower jaw, while the other dog also had some scarring on the face.

The two dogs were examined by a veterinary surgeon who advised that both dogs required dental treatment procedures under general anaesthetic. This was for surgical extraction of broken tooth root remnants and anti-inflammatory painkiller medication was prescribed.

In mitigation it was suggested that the injuries sustained by both dogs had been caused when they had fought with each other. However the court also heard that the injuries were more consistent with those caused by a badger.

In evidence from a vet, it was said that both dogs had “sustained significant wounds to the front of the mouth, nose and lips evidenced through scarring of the soft tissues and missing / broken incisor teeth.”.

They continued: “At the time of these injuries being sustained I would expect the significant soft tissue wounds to have been bleeding with clearly visible damage, redness and swelling.

“I would expect the dogs to have experienced intense acute pain at the time of their teeth being pulled out or broken, together with large lacerations to the soft tissues of the face; and ongoing pain and discomfort is expected from the broken teeth.

“An increased level of pain would also be anticipated for (the female terrier) due to abscessation of one of the tooth roots. Accidental incidents are in my opinion less likely as both dogs have experienced a similar trauma.

“The scarred lacerations to the nose and lips in combination with broken incisor teeth and multiple incisor teeth having been pulled out entirely is in my opinion most likely to have been caused by a bite wound from a badger.”

Fortunately, the two dogs in RSPCA care have had full dental repairs and were initially with foster carers before the case was heard. After being signed over to the RSPCA they were also rehomed.

Sentencing | 20-week custodial suspended for 18 months; ordered to pay £750 plus victim surcharge of £128. Disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.

YorkshireLive

badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Burford, Oxfordshire: Christopher Woodward

August 10, 2023 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2023) ex-Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher J Woodward, born 20 November 1984, previously of Ruabon, Wrexham, but now of Huntsman House, The Kennels, South Lawn, Swinbrook, Burford OX18 4FH – caught interfering with a badger sett.

Former Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher Woodward was caught interfering with a badger sett — Christopher Woodward is now employed by the Heythrop Hunt

On 3 February 2023, huntsman Christopher Woodward and a second Wynnstay Hunt employee identified as whipper-in Charlie Young were caught red-handed blocking the badger sett near Whitchurch, North Wales, in preparation for the following day’s hunting in the area.

Hunt saboteurs confronted the pair, who fled the scene. .

North Wales Police launched an investigation which led to the prosecution of Woodward, who is now employed by the Heythrop Hunt, based in Banbury, West Oxfordshire,

According to the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) Woodward and Young were caught three weeks earlier blocking the same badger sett.

The purpose of this cruel practice, which can cause badgers to suffocate, is to force foxes above ground so that they can be illegally hunted.

Charlie Young is the alleged accomplice of former Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher Woodward who was caught interfering with a badger sett — Woodward’s alleged accomplice Charlie Young. It’s not known if he also faced charges

Following Woodward’s conviction an HSA spokesperson said: “The blocking of badger setts is routine practice by fox hunts across the country.

“Not only is such behaviour illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, it provides obvious evidence of the intent to/commit offences under the Hunting Act.

“The fact that this seedy pair were caught on film at the same badger sett only weeks earlier beggars belief and provides further compelling evidence of the habitual nature of such offences.”

Woodward is due to appear in court again in October 2023 to face charges in relation to breaches of the Hunting Act.

Sentencing | £500 fine plus £200 victim surcharge and £85 costs. The fine takes into account his guilty plea and income and is to be paid within 28 days.

Hunt Saboteurs Association

badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Templecombe, Somerset / Chippenham, Wiltshire: Aaron Fookes and Stuart Radbourne

July 5, 2023 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Avon Vale Hunt members Aaron Marcus Fookes, born 16 December 1993, of Townsend Green, Henstridge, Templecombe BA8 0TT, and Stuart Timothy Radbourne, born 11 April 1984, of 45 The Common, Chippenham SN15 2JJ – unearthed a live fox and threw her to a pack of hounds.

Wildlife criminals and huntsmen Aaron Fookes and Stuart Radbourne — Aaron Fookes (left) and Stuart Radbourne – a convicted badger baiter – pleaded guilty to wildlife offences after being filmed unearthing a fox and throwing her to hounds. Photo: Wiltshire999s

Avon Vale Hunt whipper-in Fookes and hunt master Radbourne pleaded guilty to wildlife offences. The pair were prosecuted after a video emerged on social media showing the hunt duo and others pulling a live fox out of a den and throwing the terrified animal to a pack of hounds.

Crown prosecutor Patrick Schneider said the pair had been hunting in Brokerswood, Wiltshire, when video footage – which was later leaked to anti-hunt activists – was taken of them.

The footage, taken on 20 December 2022, showed Fookes kneeling down over the entrance of a badger sett with his arms down into it, pulling out a live fox. Radbourne is heard making whooping noises before the fox is chucked to a large pack of hounds and killed.

Solicitor Sam Harkness, representing both men, said that press coverage of the incident has “utterly destroyed the lives of the defendants”.

They were both left jobless, with Fookes leaving the county due to threats made against him.

Stuart Radbourne, a convicted badger baiter and fox killer — Photo: Wiltshire999s

The court was told that Radbourne has a previous conviction for interfering with a badger sett, for which he was fined £300 at Chippenham Magistrates’ Court in 2013.

Fookes now works as an agricultural contractor earning around £2,000 per month, whilst Radbourne is struggling with “significant debts” and earning £1,000 a month as a farmer and equestrian.

Radbourne, who faced one charge of hunting a wild mammal with dogs, was fined £384 and told to pay £42.50 costs and a £154 surcharge.

Wildlife criminal Aaron Fookes now of Somerset — Photo: Wiltshire999s

Fookes was handed an 18-month community order for animal cruelty. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work. For the fox hunting offence, he was fined £833 and must pay £42.50 costs and a £330 surcharge.

Somerset / Wiltshire Foxhunters Aaron Fookes (left) and Stuart Radbourne — Aaron Fookes (left) and Stuart Radbourne

Alex Warden, born c. 1998, of Wood Road, North Bradley, Trowbridge, appeared in court in July 2023 where he denied illegally hunting a wild mammal with dogs.

Warden also denied causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

He chose to be tried by a jury at crown court and will appear at Salisbury Crown Court on 21 December, 2023.

The defendant was granted bail on the condition he does not participate in any trail-hunting in Wiltshire.

Two other people arrested earlier in the year will face no further action.

In February 2023, after footage of this incident was circulated on social media, the Hound Sports Regulatory Authority (HSRA) panel barred the Avon Vale Hunt – meaning the group could no longer operate.

Wiltshire999s
BBC News

Update | October 2023

Stuart Radbourne was back before the courts on October 27,2023, to be sentenced for an earlier animal cruelty offence.

He pleaded guilty to being jointly concerned with others in causing unnecessary suffering to a fox by causing it to be thrown to and savaged by hounds in Melksham on December 24, 2020.

Chippenham man Stuart Radbourne, a former huntsman with the Avon Vale Hunt and a serial animal abuser with multiple convictions for cruelty

Due to the seriousness of the offence, where a child was present, harm was caused to a protected animal, and the incident was filmed and shared with others, he received an 18-week prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months.

During those 12 months, he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as pay £750 in court costs and £128 to fund victim services.

Salisbury Journal

UK Animal Cruelty Files