Category Archives: badger baiting

badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Neath Port Talbot: Geraint Woolcock

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CONVICTED (2023) | puppy farmer Geraint Ronald Woolcock, born 12 August 1978, of 28 Lon Beili Glas, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Ammanford SA18 1PN – kept multiple dogs in a poor environment.

Puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock from Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Ammanford, South Wales. Picture: Facebook
Welsh puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock kept multiple dogs in a poor environment

Geraint Woolcock, also a known wildlife persecutor who was previously prosecuted for badger baiting offences, was convicted of cruelty to multiple dogs.

Welsh puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock kept multiple dogs in a poor environment

Woolcock caused unnecessary suffering to two dogs by failing to provide them with timely and appropriate veterinary care for an eye condition, while his failure to provide vet care for skin and eye conditions caused four dogs to suffer.

He also caused unnecessary suffering to another dog after not providing timely and appropriate vet care for difficulty in giving birth.

Welsh puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock kept multiple dogs in a poor environment

He also did not ensure that 15 dogs were provided with a suitable environment including space, light, heat, ventilation, appropriate bedding and/or which was hygienic, and didn’t provide a rabbit with a suitable environment.

He had pleaded not guilty to six offences under the Animal Welfare Act – but was ultimately found guilty of five of the offences.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben attended the address after receiving a call from South Wales Police.

He said he was shown four puppies who were found in a small small brick outbuilding attached to the house and added: “The puppies were kept on soiled newspaper, no bedding, the shed heavily smelt of urine and faeces with little ventilation, there was a bowl of dried food.”

Welsh puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock kept multiple dogs in a poor environment

The dogs were examined by a vet, who confirmed that their environment was unsuitable.

A tan/black giant rabbit was was in a poor environment with a hutch that was too small with no bedding and just a small amount of water.

The vet said in a witness statement that the hutch was so small “the rabbit struggled to turn around in the hutch.”

Four lurchers were found in “total darkness” in a shed that had water present and some clean shavings on the floor.

Despite the dogs being in good bodily condition the housing was “completely inadequate size and lacked light and ventilation”.

The vet added: “I was immediately struck by the smell of urine due in part to the number of animals in such a small area and the lack of ventilation.”

Welsh puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock kept multiple dogs in a poor environment

Another shed contained three dogs, two terrier type dogs and a Bedlington type dog, where the vet deemed that they were living in a poor environment.

Another shed was examined which contained dog runs inside and included very little natural light coming in.

In the first run in the shed were three lurcher type dogs, water was present, but there was no bedding.

In a second run there was a Dachshund type dog. There was no water and the dog had access to the rest of the shed where there were hazards including metal mesh.

Puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock from Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Ammanford, South Wales. Picture: Facebook

In run three there was a spaniel type dog inside a metal puppy crate that was in labour, and there was a dead puppy beside her. There was no bedding for this dog and she was unsupervised.

Inspector Hogben said: “The vet said he needed to examine this spaniel straight away and she was carried outside into the daylight and placed on a blanket.”

Puppy farmer Geraint Woolcock from Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Ammanford, South Wales. Picture: Facebook
Geraint Woolcock with wife Kelly Marie Woolcock

Following an examination it was discovered that a puppy was stuck in the birthing canal and needed to be taken to a vet straight away.

RSPCA rescue officer Ellie West who had arrived on site then took this dog for immediate attention.

At sentencing the court made a deprivation order in relation to the dogs that were seized, transferring them into the RSPCA’s care.

It is understood that an appeal has been lodged.

Sentencing | 12-month community order of 100 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for three years (expires June 2026).

In Your Area
South Wales Guardian

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

Burnley, Lancashire: Carl Harwood

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CONVICTED (2023) | Carl Harwood, born 15 April 1995, of Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley BB12 6HZ* – goaded two dogs into fighting a badger and filmed the carnage.

Badger baiter and dog abuser: Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire, UK. Pic: Facebook

Police discovered disturbing footage showing a fight between two dogs and a badger on the phone of an associate of Carl Harwood. The unnamed man and Harwood were being investigated in relation to another matter.

The 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.

Dog used and abused by badger baiter Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire, UK. Pic: RSPCA
Bull lurcher Toby dog was left with more than 30 puncture wounds from illegal badger baiting

Following an investigation, RSPCA inspector Lyndsey Taylor, along with the charity’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) and Lancashire Police’s Ribble Valley Rural Task Force visited the defendants’ house on October 19 2021.

Magistrates heard how they went into the living room and saw Toby being held on a lead by Harwood.

Dog used and abused by badger baiter Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire, UK. Pic: RSPCA

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. More recent scarring and scabbing was seen underneath his left hind paw and lower leg.

Dog used and abused by badger baiter Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire, UK. Pic: RSPCA

Harwood told the officers they’d been sustained while out lamping and ratting.

Toby was seized by the police and taken into RSPCA care and seen by a vet. He was subsequently microchipped, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms.

Harwood with partner Poppy Duckworth who sees no wrong in his evil-doings
Harwood with partner Poppy Duckworth who sees no wrong in his evil-doings

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.”

Dog used and abused by badger baiter Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire, UK. Pic: RSPCA

Her colleague, inspector Chris Haywood told the court: “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.”

A vet who examined Toby on 20 October, 2022, told the court the scars represented skin injuries that had healed and 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.”

The court was told that Harwood said he didn’t think there was anything wrong with the footage – although he knew it was illegal – and didn’t believe that his dog required veterinary treatment for his injuries.

Badger baiter and dog abuser: Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire, UK. Pic: Facebook

He also denied having an encounter with a badger, any involvement with injuring or killing one and said he didn’t believe it was Toby in the footage. He couldn’t explain why the scarring on his dog may not have matched the injuries that would be sustained from going ‘ratting’ with him.

Harwood was found guilty of one offence contrary to the Protection of Badgers Act 1991 and admitted a second charge relating to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Sentencing Harwood, District Judge Alexander Boyd told him: “Setting a dog on a badger to injure it is not a sport, it is wilful cruelty.

“The fact that you videoed it and kept it on your phone would suggest to me that you took pleasure from what you did to that badger using your own dog.

“That makes these offences even worse than they already are.”

An arrest warrant has been issued for another man in relation to the case.

Dog used and abused by badger baiter Carl Harwood from Burnley, Lancashire, UK. Pic: RSPCA

Speaking after sentencing, inspector Taylor said: “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.”
An arrest warrant has been issued for another man in relation to the case.

Toby has recovered well in RSPCA care and the charity hopes to rehome him in due course. The whereabouts and owner of the other dog seen in the video are unknown.

Sentencing | 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 150 hours of unpaid work; costs of £500; three-month curfew from 8pm to 8am. Disqualified from keeping any animals for five years (expires February 2028).

Lancashire Telegraph
Burnley Express
ITV News

Update | October 2023

Carl Harwood’s accomplice, failed jockey Brandon Lawlor who’s originally from Ireland, was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for his part in the attack on the badger and the video made of the kill.

Lawlor now lives at 16 Cobden Street, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8DS.

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Carlisle, Cumbria: Dale and Mike Rickerby

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CONVICTED (2022) | wildlife killers Dale Rickerby, born 23 June 1994, and Michael James Rickerby, born 24 March 1990, of 68 Warnell Drive, Carlisle CA1 3LR – used a shovel to “bludgeon” a badger before tossing the terrified animal to their dogs.

Wildlife killers and dog abusers: Michael Rickerby and Dale Rickerby from Carlisle
Mike Rickerby (left) and brother Dale Rickerby

The horrific badger baiting incident, which took place in October 2021 in Holme Lane near the village of Aglionby in Cumbria, was conducted primarily by Dale Rickerby, but he was assisted by his older brother Michael James Rickerby,

The brothers denied any wrong-doing despite evidence that they had dug a deep hole to give their dog access to the badger in its sett.

Wildlife killers and dog abuser: Dale Rickerby from Carlisle

Dale Rickerby said the pair were in the area “legally” hunting for rabbits when they happened to see the badger which then attacked their bull lurcher, Bronson. He claimed to have used the shovel on the badger to “protect” the dog.

The court didn’t believe them, however, and the brothers were convicted of “wilfully killing a badger” following a one-day trial.

Dale Rickerby was also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to Bronson by setting him on a badger and of failing to ensure the dog’s welfare.

He did this by failing to take reasonable steps to protect the dog from pain, suffering and injury in his encounters with other animals.

Wildlife killer and dog abuser: Mike Rickerby from Carlisle
Mike Rickerby

Both men were represented by Clive Rees, who said that his clients were fathers to young children and represented a “low risk” of reoffending.

Passing sentence, District Judge Temperley first addressed Dale Rickerby, telling him: “You will remember that at the conclusion of the trial I found that you were primarily responsible, not only for the death of the badger; but also for the significant injury caused to your own dog Bronson.”

When the badger had emerged from the “man-made” hole that exposed its sett, Dale Rickerby “bludgeoned it over the head with the spade,” said the judge. The defendant then tossed the dazed animal to the dogs.

The judge said a background Probation Service report showed clearly that Dale Rickerby did not accept the court’s guilty verdict.

Badger baiter Dale Rickerby from Carlisle

The judge jailed the defendant for 20 weeks. He also imposed an order transferring ownership of Bronson to the RSPCA. Dale Rickerby will be banned from owning or looking after any animal for five years. When released, he must pay £500 prosecution costs.

Turning to Michael Rickerby, the judge said he had “encouraged and aided” his brother, with this including him driving another member of the group away from the scene with some of the dogs they had brought.

The judge imposed 12 weeks jail, suspended for a year. Michael Rickerby must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 prosecution costs. He was banned from owning or caring for any dog for five years.

Members of the defendants’ family were in court to support them.

After the trial, RSPCA inspector Ian Muttitt, from the charity’s northern Special Operations Unit, said both the dog and the badger suffered horrifically. “The dog was significantly injured; basically, the skin from the bottom of its jaw was ripped off,” he said.

“But police spotted the two males in the car quickly and luckily the dog was taken to the vets straight away and treated. It’s made a full recovery. But often they don’t receive veterinary treatment.”

Sentencing |
Dale Rickerby: 20 weeks in jail; £500 towards costs. Banned from owning or looking after any animal for five years (expires December 2027).
Michael Rickerby: 12 weeks in jail suspended for one year; 200 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 prosecution costs. Banned from owning or caring for any dog for five years (expires December 2027).

Westmoreland Gazette

Additional Information

In February 2022 Dale Rickerby was given a eight-week curfew and 18-month driving ban after being caught driving with cannabis and cocaine in his system.

Rickerby’s VW Golf was stopped by police who were in the area investigating suspected badger baiting.

Rickerby, who at the time was working as a mobile cleaner, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit for both illegal drugs.

The court heard that Rickerby had previous convictions for possessing amphetamine and cannabis.

The curfew will be served at a property in Tindale Drive, Harraby, and not the Warnell Drive address.

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

Dolgellau, North-West Wales: Andrew Pugh and Dominic Thomas

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CONVICTED (2022) | wildlife killers Andrew Lloyd Pugh of Tyn Y Coed, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau LL40 2HW and Dominic John Thomas of 1 Ffordd Heulog, Dolgellau LL40 1HH – failed to treat their dogs’ facial injuries and dental disease.

Dominic Thomas (left) and Andrew Pugh were prosecuted following an RSPCA investigation into suspected wildlife crime

Pugh and Thomas each admitted one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to their dogs by failing to provide veterinary treatment. The prosecution followed an investigation by the RSPCA’s special operations unit (SIU) into suspected wildlife crimes.

Pugh pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dark brown/black female terrier known as Storm by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of her severe dental disease.

Vets said the dogs’ facial injuries were consistent with badger fighting,

Thomas pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a brown male terrier dog known as Charlie by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of a severe and infected facial injury on the right side of the dog’s face.

The court heard that police warrants were issued at the men’s addresses on March 10, 2022, as part of the SIU’s investigation known as Operation Epona.

At Pugh’s address, Storm was found with extensive scarring to her face and lower jaw, and was exhibiting a degloving injury to her jaw. Storm was seized by police and placed into RSPCA care.

When not forcing his dogs to fight wild animals for his sadistic pleasure, Dominic Thomas plays for Dolgellau Athletic Amateur Football Club

At Thomas’s address five dogs were seized by police and remain in RSPCA care. One of these dogs was a terrier named Charlie who had infected fresh wounds on his muzzle as well as old scarring.

It was also heard that as RSPCA officers approached the address they were informed that a man had thrown a dog over the fence and ran off with it when police executed the warrant. North Wales Police later caught the man who ran off and returned the dog to the premises.

In witness statements from vets in attendance at both warrants it was stated that both Storm and Charlie suffered unnecessarily.

The vets gave the opinion that the injuries seen to the lower jaw in both dogs had the “appearance of a typical injury resulting from those type of activities involving dogs and badgers”.

The six dogs in the care of the RSPCA will now be rehomed – this includes Storm and Charlie who were part of deprivation orders made in court.

Sentencing |
Pugh and Thomas were both ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £695 in costs and victim surcharge. They were each disqualified for five years from keeping dogs. An Animal Welfare Act section 35 order was made also for a female black Patterdale called Sally who was still owned by Pugh.

Rhyl Journal

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

Oxhill, Warwickshire: Luke Rix

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CONVICTED (2022) | Luke Rix, born October 1990, of Gilks Lane, Oxhill Warwick CV35 0QE – filmed himself hunting wildlife with dogs.

Rix admitted three offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

The animal welfare charity was contacted after videos and images were discovered on an iPad belonging to Rix by his former partner. They showed hunting and persecution of wild mammals using two dogs who were left injured as a result.

Inspectors from the RSPCA joined the officers from Gloucestershire Police when they carried out a warrant at an address in Broadwell Hill, Broadwell, Cheltenham GL56 0UE, where Rix’s phone was seized and his dogs examined by a vet.

A number of videos and photographs were found. One clip contained disturbing footage of Rix filming while two dogs – one being his dog Gunner – attacked a wild boar.

Rix can be heard to be encouraging the dogs saying “look at that boys – big pig – go on boys” and the dogs can be seen latched onto the neck area of the boar as it screams in pain and distress. The boar was already bleeding from a wound caused by Rix stabbing it.

Wildlife killer Rix also failed to care for his dog Gunner.

The vet who examined Gunner found he had a fracture of the upper right canine, missing upper incisors and had lower worn lower incisors and marked dental disease that was so severe the vet felt this would have caused pain for at least three years

Records showed he had not seen a vet since 2019, at which time Rix had been advised that the fractured tooth needed removing due to associated infection and dental disease was pointed out.

Following his rescue, Gunner had to have more than 20 teeth removed.
In an interview, Rix said he had always hunted and had previously been a gamekeeper.

RSPCA solicitor Lindi Meyer, who represented the charity in court, said: “Other seized videos and photos showed dogs ripping apart a fox, dogs with injuries, terriers tormenting a caged rat, and discussions of boar, badger and fox hunting, and conversations with people on social media regarding his hunting exploits.

“Whilst not the subject of criminal charges, all this relevant background information found on his devices shows that the incident with the boar was not an isolated incident and shows he has used his dogs in other situations to set upon a wild animal and that this is a game to him which he will glorify by filming and bragging by distributing it. It also shows that he is prepared to put his dogs at risk.”

In mitigation, it was said Rix was going through a difficult time in his life because of the breakdown of a relationship and issues with his business.

Sentencing | Jailed for 18 weeks; £628 in costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.

ITV News
BBC News
Warwickshire World

Additional Information

Rix, a former gamekeeper and with links to several fox hunts, is now a tree surgeon by trade.

His company is named Simia Forestry Ltd. Facebook page here, Instagram here.

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Prestatyn, Denbighshire, North Wales: Phil Stevens

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CONVICTED (2022) | Philip D Stevens, born c. 1984, of 11 Lon Cadfan, Prestatyn LL19 8HJ – convicted for badger baiting and dog cruelty.

Stevens, owner of landscaping business Cut Above Tree & Landscapes, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This included causing unnecessary suffering to his own dogs.

Image source: Naturewatch

A joint investigation by North Wales Police and the RSPCA was initiated by the investigations team at Naturewatch Foundation following the discovery of disturbing photographs showing Stevens’ brutality towards wildlife.

Photographs posted to social media showed Stevens posing with his badly injured dogs. He had attempted to cover his face with emojis but was identified anyway.

A warrant was executed at Stevens’ property during which it was found that he was keeping dogs with untreated injuries outside in poor living conditions.

A white Patterdale Lakeland cross terrier called Millie, had extensive facial scarring resulting in the partial loss of her nose and an area of fresh grazing and reddening below her left eye.

She was also more than five weeks pregnant.

Another kennel housed a black and tan female terrier called Jess, who was sheltering in a plastic barrel. This dog seemed reluctant to move and appeared withdrawn and lethargic.

She was suffering from an extensive injury to her chin, which had scabbed over, and a laceration to the lower lip on the left-hand side.

Both nostrils were also blocked, preventing her from breathing normally.

A male and female bull lurcher were also both removed from the premises.

All four animals have since been rehomed by the RSPCA after being signed over into the charity’s care.

Image source: Naturewatch

Stevens, who said he didn’t own the dogs but was responsible for them, was told that they were being seized, to which he replied: “Can I say goodbye to them? I love my dogs.”

Image source: Naturewatch

Analysis of his mobile phone revealed dozens of further disturbing images and footage, including:

  • Stevens digging at the entrance of a badger sett.
  • One of the severely injured terriers with injuries consistent with those seen at the time they were seized.
  • A live badger recently stunned and disabled but still kicking above ground with one of the dogs attacking it and another present.
  • Two of the dogs being used to dig underground.
  • Stevens holding one of the terriers who has significant injuries to her nose and face.
  • One of the dogs being encouraged to attack a badger.
  • One of the dogs attacking a fox, which is thought to be alive, with Stevens’ voice heard in the background.
  • Stevens and an unknown male with one of the dogs and a dead fox.

Naturewatch Foundation’s investigator tasked with this case said, “We commenced our investigation into Phil Stevens and suspected badger digging in early 2021 and were determined to seek justice for the animals who suffered so terribly at his hands.

“Wild mammals suffered a violent and protracted death and Stevens’ dogs sustained serious injuries, purely for his entertainment. He failed to provide his dogs with veterinary treatment for their wounds, causing them to suffer further. The images of the conditions these poor dogs were found living in speak for themselves.”

Sentencing | two years in jail suspended for 12 months; 180 hours of community service; £628 in costs and surcharge. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years (expires October 2027)

Naturewatch
Daily Post
Rhyl Journal

Additional Information

Phil Stevens is a tree surgeon by trade. He trades under the names Cut Above Tree Services or Cut Above Tree and Landscapes.

His mobile telephone number is 07833 595787.

He is married to June Stevens, a science teacher at Prestatyn High School.

June Stevens
animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Cwmaman, Rhondda Cynon Taf: Ryan Warner

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CONVICTED (2022) | prolific wildlife killer Ryan Chad Warner, born c. 1992, of Alexandra Terrace, Cwmaman, Aberdare CF44 6NP – failed to treat his terrier’s severe facial injuries.

Warner pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a black and white male Patterdale-type terrier called Grafter by failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for his serious injuries.

He was not charged with any wildlife crimes despite the nature of his dog’s injuries, coupled with photographic evidence on Warner’s social media accounts that he hunts foxes and possibly badgers with dogs.

Grafter had suffered an extensive degloving injury to his jaw. Bizarrely the cause does not appear to have been explored in court.

The case was heard at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on August 31, 2022, before it was referred to Merthyr Crown Court on Friday, October 7.

In a written statement provided to the court, RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said she attended Warner’s address on March 7, 2022. She met Grafter in the back garden and found him to have scars all over his head, muzzle, neck and ears.

Inspector Cooper said: “His right ear had a large, healed tear and his left ear had a large, recent tear as there was dried blood on the inside. The bite type wounds all over his head and muzzle, some appeared to be older and healed and others seemed to be newer and scabbed over.

“A large proportion of the skin from the lower jaw was hanging away from the bone, revealing the flesh part of the jaw. The flesh looked red and sore and it smelt really bad, like infection.

“There were bits of dirt and grass sticking to this bit of open flesh and Grafter appeared really uncomfortable when I touched around the area in order to get a better look. He appeared uncomfortable by repetitively moving his head away from me when I tried to look at the injury. I asked Ryan Warner if the dog had seen a vet and he said that he hadn’t.”

Warner then told inspector Cooper he’d only just bought Grafter the previous evening from an advert and that he had the injuries when he bought him. However, Warner was unable to provide her with the seller’s details. A transfer of ownership form was then signed for Grafter by Warner.

A written witness statement from a vet – who examined Grafter on March 7 – was also provided to the court. The vet said there were “extensive and severe injuries” on Grafter’s head and neck, the most severe of the injuries being an “extensive degloving injury” of the flesh of the lower jaw.

She said: “A degloving is a type of traumatic injury where a large portion of skin and tissue is detached from the underlying muscle or bone and is extremely painful.”

The vet added that in her opinion Grafter “had suffered enormously and unnecessarily as a result of his extensive and severe wounds.”

She added: “This unnecessary suffering would have been alleviated by seeking and following appropriate veterinary treatment.”

At the vets, Grafter was hospitalised and given painkillers and antibiotics and later given surgery to try to salvage the wounds on his face. Sadly, he will carry a permanent disfigurement. However, Grafter has recovered from his injuries and has since been successfully re-homed.

Sentencing | 12 months of custody suspended for 18 months; 120 hours of unpaid work; costs of £2,065 Banned from keeping dogs for five years (expires October 2027).

ITV News
Wales Online

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Finaghy, Belfast: Marcus McMillan

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CONVICTED (2022) | drug dealer Marcus McMillan, born 13 June 1995, of Benmore Drive, Finaghy, west Belfast – kept 10 dogs with horrendous facial injuries in outdoor pens.

McMillan pleaded guilty to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to five dogs and one charge of failing to meet the needs of five dogs under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. He was prosecuted by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

The 10 severely injured terriers were discovered in kennels during a drug raid by PSNI officers of McMillan’s farm yard in Drumlough Road between Royal Hillsborough and Anahilt.

Police immediately called animal welfare officers and a vet, but when McMillan was asked to sign over the animals to their care he refused.

The dogs were then seized over fears they may suffer further harm. When McMillan was cautioned by animal welfare officers he admitted he was the sole owner of the animals.

The court was told that one of the dogs was so severely injured she had to have her jaw surgically reconstructed while another was missing her nose.

Another had its his ripped off by force, a second had a staple lodged in his head in a suspected attempt to hold a tissue wound closed and another was missing his nose.

Many of the dogs had active infections, with one found with a hole between the inside of her mouth and the outside of her chin which appeared to be a recent wound.

The prosecution lawyer said there was no evidence of any of the dogs being given treatment or pain relief, with one of the animals found with injuries that would cause pain “with every lick and bite”.

She added that all of the dogs had since been re-homed except for two which were stolen from the sanctuary where they were being held.

Police also found a combined total of more than 100 tablets of pregablin (also known as Lyrica) and temazepam.

Just under £4,400 in cash was also seized with McMillan admitting at the scene that the drugs belonged to him.

McMillan was charged with two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, failing to take reasonable care of the dogs, two counts of possession of class C drugs and one count of possession of criminal property.

He pleaded guilty to all charges bar the one relating to criminal property charge, but was convicted of that as well.

The costs of treatment and care of the animals came to £5,814, according to the lawyer.

Describing the images of the dogs’ injuries as “horrendous”, Judge Watters asked if it was known what caused them.

An animal welfare officer said they were caused by hunting but couldn’t say for certain if they were caused by foxes or badgers.

McMillan’s barrister said he claims the injuries were sustained by hunting foxes and not badger baiting and said he has since expressed “genuine remorse” for what happened to the dogs.

For causing unnecessary suffering to the 10 dogs McMillan was jailed for five months, along with five months for failing to take reasonable care of the animals.

On the two charges of possession of class C drugs he was sentenced to three months in prison, with five months for possession of criminal property.

McMillan will serve the terms concurrently and will have to pay a total of £6,048 in council costs.

Sentencing | five months’ imprisonment. Lifetime ban on keeping animals. Lisburn Council was awarded full costs of £6048.

Northern Ireland World
Sunday Life

Additional Information

Older Facebook profile here.

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

Llanbedrog, North Wales: Rhys Davies

4 Comments

CONVICTED (2022) | Rhys Owen Davies, born 12 December 1993, of Bwthyn Grug, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli LL53 7HN – kept five dogs for animal fighting and failed to treat their injuries.

Davies, who has now returned to his home town of Llanbedrog in North Wales, admitted keeping and training five Patterdale Terriers to fight animals, as well as failing to seek veterinary treatment for two which had sustained injuries from fighting.

Davies, a former gamekeeper at the Millden shooting estate* in Glenesk, Brechin, Angus DD9, also pleaded guilty to breaching the conditions of his firearms licence by having unsecured firearms and ammunition in his then home in Turnabrae House.

Davies kept trophy photos of dogs he used to fight and bait wild animals

The court heard that an employee of a photo print company contacted the SSPCA with serious concerns about the welfare of several dogs pictured in an order for 58 images placed by Davies.

Many of the dogs showed progressively more serious facial injuries over the period the images were taken and several males posing and digging into what looked like badger setts or fox dens. There were numerous images showing dead foxes.

Many of the images showed injured dogs and dead foxes.
One horrific image showed a terrier latched onto a bleeding badger

The SSPCA identified them as ‘trophy’ photographs showing a group of males engaging in the organised fighting and killing of wild animals over an extended period. Davies was easily identifiable in many of the images.

Inspectors from the SSPCA and officers from Police Scotland went to Davies’ home in Brechin with a warrant on the morning of October 8, 2019. Police found a Benelli shotgun propped against a wall near the front door, two rifles were also found, a Tikka .243 rifle on the sofa and a CZ rifle in the hall cupboard next to the open gun cabinet.

An assortment of ammunition, including 23 bullets in a pot on the floor, five in a carrier bag behind the front door and one on top of a bed were seized by police.

Davies was pictured alongside others posing after digging into fox dens or badger setts.

Eleven dogs were found within kennels on the property. Five Patterdale Terrier dogs had obvious signs of injury.

Two of the terriers, Lola and Tuck, had fresh injuries. Lola’s were to her mouth and lower jaw and Tuck had part of his lower face missing and fresh injuries which produced an obvious smell when near the dog. There were also healing wounds to his forelegs.

All the dogs were taken to Scottish SPCA facilities for examination and treatment.

Inspectors found equipment on the property linked to illegal animal fighting including, locator collars, medication, needles and syringes and a staple gun used to staple up injuries.

Badger DNA was found on a red locator collar following forensic examination.

Photobooks were recovered from the property like the print order placed by Davies.

The dogs had been used repeatedly for fighting, resulting in serious disfigurement

Davies was interviewed under caution and admitted that the dogs had not received veterinary treatment in the time that he had owned them. He denied using the dogs to fight or kill foxes or badgers and claimed they had sustained injury from legal ratting and foxing.

Davies agreed to sign all the terrier dogs over to the Scottish SPCA for rehoming.

The injured dogs were examined by specialist vets. Their expert opinion was that the dogs had been kept for the purposes of animal fighting and their injuries were sustained from face-to-face combat with badgers or foxes.

Another dog is left disfigured after being trained to fight badgers and foxes for the entertainment of her sick owner

Davies’ phone was seized during the search and images of him engaged in digging activities and the dogs with fresh wounds were found. There were also numerous conversations with associates referencing digging activities and sharing photographs showing dogs pulling badgers out of setts.

A number of voice messages with associates were also found where they discussed digging with the dogs. In one message, Davies’ asks an individual about the size of photographs to print to make a digging album. Davies states, “And if I do get the knock for it at least everything’s all in the one place for them to find”.

GPS location data from Davies’ phone also placed him in two rural locations on 21 September 2019 where he was found to have had a conversation with the same associate about meeting to bait and later that night his associate sent an image of Davies standing in a large hole holding one of the terrier dogs.

Speaking after the sentencing, Karon Rollo, Head of the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit of COPFS said: “Animal fighting is a cruel illegal activity which causes terrible and unnecessary suffering to animals.

“The evidence clearly shows the scope of the involvement Rhys Davies had with an organised group that took pleasure in killing wild animals in such a wicked and inhumane manner.

“I welcome the sentence and the granting of the order preventing him from keeping animals for 15 years. I would like to thank Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA for their part in investigating and gathering evidence of these offences.

“Hopefully this prosecution and the sentence will serve as a message to others who would cause such suffering that there are consequences and that they will be held to account for their actions and could also lose their liberty.

“COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in these barbaric practices are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on animal fighting to contact Police Scotland or the Scottish SPCA.”

Sentencing | eight months in prison; £1,800 fine for firearms offences. Banned from owning or keeping animals for 15 years.

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Additional Information

*The Millden Estate is one of a number of shooting estates in the Angus Glens. According to the insightful blog Raptor Persecution UK, the estate is “long- known amongst conservationists as a raptor persecution hotspot” where in 2009 a poisoned golden eagle named Alma was found, with a golden buzzard meeting a similar fate in the same year.

Another blogger, former police officer Alan Stewart aka the Wildlife Detective, described a “catalogue of criminality” taking place on the estate, with incidents including a working collie being poisoned in 2006. He continues:

Around the same time the eggs of a nesting hen harrier disappeared and two fresh shotgun cartridge cases were found near the nest. Despite DNA tests on the cartridge cases and the shotguns of the keepers being taken for comparison with the mark on the cartridge cases made by the firing pin no charges could be brought.

… in 2009 a dead otter was found in a fox snare.

In 2010 an egg tray and nitrile gloves, all with traces of pesticide, were recovered buried on the estate. It is likely that eggs baited with pesticide had been set out.

In 2011 a buzzard was seen being shot. The person doing the shooting drove off in a Land Rover. Neither the vehicle nor the person shooting could be identified. Despite a search on a rocky hill face, we were unable to recover the dead buzzard.

In 2012 … a satellite-tagged golden eagle probably caught in a spring trap, mysteriously moved overnight from Millden Estate and was found dumped, still alive and with two broken legs, on Deeside.

No one has ever been prosecuted for any of these alleged offences and Millden Estate has denied any responsibility.

On 1 November 2022 the Daily Record published an article revealing Rhys Davies’ links to other convicted wildlife persecutors Anthony Holloway (who’s also involved in dog fighting) and Liam Taylor.

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

Logan, East Ayrshire: Callum Muir

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CONVICTED (2022) | Callum Muir, born 25 December 1996, of 17 Logangate Terrace, Logan, Cumnock KA18 3HD – forced his three dogs to fight badgers and foxes.

Muir, a father-of-one, was seen in videos encouraging his dogs to attack the wild animals as they screamed in pain.

He laughed as a fox’s skin was torn away and ripped in half by dogs, while two of his pets attacked a fox as another man stamped on its head.

The Scottish SPCA called it one of the worst cases inspectors had ever seen.

“The complete disregard for the wellbeing of the dogs and wild animals in the videos is appalling,” said one of the charity’s inspectors after Muir was sentenced at Ayr Sheriff Court.

Muir also failed to seek veterinary treatment for any of the injuries his three dogs – terrier Pip, lurcher Bella and bull lurcher Mig – sustained as a result of the fights.

The organisation said it was disappointed Muir had not received a longer jail term given new legislation means offenders can be sentenced to up to five years for animal welfare crimes.

All three dogs were signed over to the care of the Scottish SPCA and have since found new homes.

The SSPCA’s special investigations unit (SIU) seized three dogs with “significant” injuries at Muir’s home in Logangate Terrace in May 2021 after a tip-off he may have been using them in animal fights.

They also found evidence he was self-treating the dogs’ injuries to avoid authorities being alerted.

Pip and Bella, the two older dogs, had injuries across their faces, necks and legs.

“Both dogs had several missing teeth as a result of the fights they’d been in, and the lack of appropriate veterinary treatment would have made the suffering even worse,” the inspector, who has to remain anonymous, said.

“Mig had some scarring to her muzzle and legs but as she was a much larger, stronger and younger dog it’s likely she’d have been able to avoid serious injury up to this point.”

Investigators also found several items associated with animal fighting including locator collars, which are used to track dogs when they are underground in badger setts.

Officers also discovered nets for catching wild animals when they bolt from their dens. Fox and badger DNA was found after the evidence was analysed.

A number of video clips and images were also recovered showing dogs, including Muir’s own pets, fighting wild animals.

“In my line of work you see a lot of stomach churning examples of animal cruelty, but the videos and images relating to this case are among the worst I’ve ever seen,” the inspector added.

“Given the sheer level of suffering endured by Muir’s dogs, countless wild animals and the depravity of the videos and images he owned, we are disappointed he has not received a longer jail sentence.”

The League Against Cruel Sports also worked closely with the SSPCA throughout the investigation.

Robbie Marsland, director of LACS Scotland, said the organisation was “pleased to have played a part in bringing Callum Muir, a horrific animal abuser to justice”.

He also commended the SSPCA for “such a comprehensive investigation which was absolutely critical in bringing about today’s result”.

Sentencing | six months in jail Indefinite ban.

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