Category Archives: deer

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

Penryn, Cornwall: Sampson Richards

March 30, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Sampson Richards, born 18 August 1995, of Liberty, Lestraynes Lane, Penryn TR10 9EL – goaded his dog into chasing and attacking a deer.

Richards pleaded guilty to an offence under the Deer Act 1991 after an RSPCA investigation led to his prosecution.

The animal charity was alerted after video clips showing a dog being encouraged into chasing down and attacking the young deer were shared on a Facebook group.

The footage, which was filmed at night, shows the 13-month-old beige saluki cross lurcher named Butch biting the terrified animal and shaking him vigorously while he screams out in pain. The voice of a male, who captured the footage under torch-light, is heard encouraging the dog throughout the chase and attack.

The video closes with the person filming saying: “It’s good for you to be able to see this”.

A vet, who examined the footage as part of the RSPCA investigation, said in their statement for the court: “The duration of the video was 73 seconds long, however this would not have represented the whole duration of the incident.

“I expect that the footage was started after the person in the video had realised that his dog was in pursuit.

“When the footage ended the deer was clearly still alive. We cannot say how long before the poor creature was put out of its pain, nor what method was used for this. Hence, the incident was probably far longer than the duration of the video.

“This extremely distressful video shows the illegal coursing of a deer by a lurcher. ‘Lamping’ refers to the usage of a specialised torch to enable the pursuit. Such a light was later found at the premises of Sampson Richards.

“The dog was actively encouraged and helped to chase and attack the deer and clearly praised for his activities by the person making the video.

“The deer was terrified and afraid and suffered great pain and distress. At no time did the person try to stop the chase. No attempt was made to pull the dog off the deer whilst the person was standing right over it.

“There was no evidence that the deer was to be swiftly and humanely dispatched, in the likelihood that it was too badly injured to be taken to a vet for first aid treatment.

“We have no idea how long the total chase went on for. We have no idea how long before the deer was euthanased. We have no idea whether the person making the video let the dog kill the dog, presumably by ripping its throat apart, or whether the person shot it or cut its throat himself.

“One thing that we can be sure of is that the deer suffered terribly.

“Unlike animals such as dogs, horses, cattle and sheep, deer do not vocalise under normal circumstances, only when they are terrified or in pain or during the mating season. Thankfully it is extremely unusual to hear a deer vocalise. It is without doubt that this deer suffered terribly.”

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We share our space with wildlife and need to show respect and kindness. Animals feel pain, just as we do, and we’re appealing to everyone to show care and consideration to all animals.”

The full charge against Richards read: That on or about November 21, 2022 in the vicinity of Liberty Barn, Lestraynes Lane, Penryn, Cornwall, or elsewhere within the jurisdiction, you did, while on any land, attempt to take, kill or injure any deer without the consent of the owner or occupier of the land or other lawful authority, contrary to Section 1 (2)(a) of the Deer Act 1991.

Butch was signed over into the care of the RSPCA for rehoming.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work; £400 costs and £114 surcharge; forfeiture and confiscation of the lamping lamp.

Falmouth Packet
Mirror

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

deer, Food Production, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Castlederg, County Tyrone: Trevor Gannon

February 24, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | serial wildlife criminal Trevor Gannon, born 16 January 1976, of Ashleigh Court, Castlederg BT81 7WA – for deer poaching.

Wildlife criminal Trevor Gannon from Castlederg, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Gannon, who was previously convicted of running an illegal venison supply plant, was prosecuted following a police investigation into his activities initiated in January 2020.

Searches were carried out at a property in the Castlederg area and in two food processing plants in Coalisland and Scotland. This led to a further investigation into money laundering.

In court Gannon pleaded guilty to various charges in relation to the possession of criminal property.

Detective Chief Inspector Wilson said: “We welcome the outcome and want to remind the public and any business owners that we will continue to tackle all types of criminality including wildlife crime such as deer poaching and money laundering, investigating reports accordingly.

“The investigations into Mr Gannon’s unlawful activity, were conducted collaboratively with partners from the Food Standard Agency, Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, and Derry City and Strabane Environmental Health Council, which highlights our shared determination and commitment to disrupting these types of crime.

“Going forward, the local community is encouraged to report any similar incidents of deer poaching to police, to prevent this illegal activity taking place. I would also like to add that when investigating officers are considering wildlife crime other offences may be identified”.

Sentencing | 200 hours of community service; confiscation order for £6,000.

Farming Life

deer, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Haddington, East Lothian: John Smedley

February 24, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | John Smedley, 56, born c. 1967, of Priory Walk, Haddington EH41 4AJ – illegally shot and killed deer.

Prosecution of poacher and wildlife killer John Smedley from Haddington, East Lothian. Image: Edinburgh/Live / Daily Record

Smedley confessed to killing the roe deer without permission in Morham, East Lothian, and also admitted to having the animal’s carcass in his home at North Berwick on April 23, 2023.

He also pleaded guilty to a third charge of possessing a Texan Air Rifle Lethal Load weapon without lawful authority.

Smedley, who has a previous conviction for the same deer hunting offence, was blasted by a judge after trying to claim that shooting the animals was deemed “acceptable” in the area.

Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss stated: “I live in East Lothian and I can tell you that it’s certainly not acceptable to poach these animals.”

Prosecution of poacher and wildlife killer John Smedley from Haddington, East Lothian. Image: John Smedley / Facebook

Commenting on the terrifying firearm Smedley owned, the judge added: “I have seen a picture of the rifle you used. It would have looked like a sniper rifle to anybody who didn’t know what it was if they saw you walking around with it.”

Fining Smedley £800, Sheriff Auchinloss continued: “That’s so you know it’s not worth your while hunting for deer – it would be much cheaper to just buy a carcass.”

Defence lawyer Mark Hutchison said his client had grown up watching his grandfather and father hunt for deer without any repercussions.

He explained: “Mr Smedley tells me that in East Lothian, there’s a culture of this kind of thing being acceptable. Obviously it’s not acceptable. I told him he will get the jail for doing it again and he said he’ll never do it again.
“He’s never had a custodial sentence before and other than this matter, lives a pro-social life, working seven days a week.”

Addressing Smedley, Sheriff Auchincloss said: “This is not acceptable and is a crime. It may have been more accepted in your grandfather and father’s time.

“But time changes the law. I am satisfied that the custody threshold has been met. However, as this is a summary matter, I can only send you to prison if there are no other alternatives.”

A motion by Procurator Fiscal to have the rifle and ammunition forfeited was granted.

A source close to Smedley, who works as a scaffolder, claims he hunted the animals “for fun” and would allegedly give away the meat or feed it to his dog.

They added: “He’s done this before and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t do it again. This sentence absolutely does not send the right message of deterring others.

“Everyone in Haddington honestly expected him to get the jail for his cruel actions. Where’s the justice for these animals?”

All four deer species found in Scotland – red, roe, fallow and sika – are protected under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. Permission to shoot them must be granted by the authorities.

Sentencing | fined £800; 60 hours of unpaid work.

EdinburghLive
East Lothian Courier

animal fighting / baiting, Animal Torture, deer, Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Bransgore, New Forest: Kristen and Todd Cooper

January 19, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | brothers Kristen Christopher Cooper, born 2 May 1999, and Todd James Edward Cooper, born c. 1994, of 24 Westbury Close, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8AZ* – tortured wild animals to death and filmed their agonies.

Sadistic animal killers: brothers Kristen Cooper (left) and Todd Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire — Sadistic brothers Kristen Cooper (left) and Todd Cooper

Career criminal brothers Kristen and Todd Cooper, who are gypsies, made a series of sick videos showing hares and deer being abused and mutilated.

During one depraved incident, the pair mutilated the genitalia of a deer – to the extent that officials could not tell if the animal was male and female – and stabbed another in the eye on camera, causing an ‘extreme level of suffering’.

In another twisted video they held a hare by his head and encouraged a dog to bite him.

Sadistic animal killer: Kristen Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

A vet reviewing the videos as part of the investigation described the footage, filmed in 2021 and 2022, as the “worst case of animal abuse” he had seen in his 24-year career.

“These images will stay with me forever,” he said.

Sadistic animal killer: Todd Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

Other videos showed deer being dragged by their antlers having appeared to have suffered spinal injuries from possibly being hit by a car, with one piece of footage showing a man raising a wooden object above a helpless deer’s head as if he was going to strike it.

The brothers were caught after police seized a phone containing the shocking videos.

Kristen Cooper was charged with seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal with Todd Cooper being accused of one count.

But after appearing at the crown court for these offences and being released on bail, just days later the pair were apprehended again after attacking a mother and her son outside a Co-Op in Betsy Lane in Bransgore on March 4, 2023.

In a video shown in court, the pair can be seen with a third unknown man, ramming another car before getting out and attacking the vehicle with a catapult, a crowbar and a baseball bat.

The victims of the attack later gave evidence at trial with the mother saying she “genuinely believed they wanted to kill us”.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Stuart Ellacott said the animal abuse was “sadistic” adding that the animals were in “distress and suffering”.

Aleks Lloyd, defending Kristen – who has eight convictions for ten offences – said this is the first time his client has been in custody adding that he “appears to be getting his head down and getting on with it”.

Ruba Huleihel defending Todd, who has 24 convictions for 52 offences, said her client has ADHD and was exposed to violence from a very young age.

Judge Peter Henry sentenced the pair for a variety of offences committed in the New Forest and in Dorset, including actual bodily harm, criminal damage and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

He said: “One would have thought that both of you being brought up in the New Forest you would have had more respect for such defenceless creatures.

“It was being filmed, other people were present and other people seemed to find it all very amusing.”

Both men were given restraining orders banning them from ever contacting the mother and son they attacked ever again.

This image shows the Cooper brothers and an as yet unidentified accomplice participating in hare coursing, a cruel sport in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare

Police Constable Sebastian Haggett, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team – who led the case alongside Hampshire police – said after the sentencing: “These are without doubt some of the most horrifying offences I have ever investigated.”

Angharad Thomas, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “The level of cruelty displayed in this case is beyond comprehension and the brothers showed an inexplicable disregard for the welfare of these animals peacefully existing in the wild.

“An expert witness for the prosecution described the actions of Kristen and Todd Cooper as the worst case of animal abuse they had ever come across in their 24-year veterinary career.

“The CPS welcomes today’s sentence and hopes it sends a clear message that we will continue to work with the police to bring offenders of these disturbing crimes to justice.”

Sentencing |
Kristen Cooper: jailed for five years; 10-year criminal behaviour order. Banned from owning a dog for ten years.
Todd Cooper- jailed for three years and eight months.

Daily Echo
Dorset Police
Daily Mail

*alternative addresses per newspaper reports |

Kristen Cooper: Whitelands, Bransgore BH23 8DY
Todd Cooper: Jubilee Court, Sway, Lymington SO41 6HA

animal fighting / baiting, deer, Food Production, Illegal fishing, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Sunderland, Tyne and Wear: Connor Bell and Michael Hutchinson

August 20, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Connor Bell, born c. 1992, of Bexhill Road Sunderland SR5 4QH and Michael John Hutchinson, born c. 1983, of 20 Cranberry Road, Sunderland SR5 3PF – caught fishing illegally.

Bell and Hutchinson, who are known wildlife persecutors, were prosecuted after photographs and videos found both on a mobile and posted to a social media account highlighted illegal fishing activity.

Bell pleaded guilty to using unlicensed gill nets to catch salmon and sea trout on the River Wear, including at a location near Fatfield, Tyne and Wear. He was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

In addition, he was ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £128.

Hutchinson was convicted of similar offences and one other offence of handling the illegally caught fish. He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work. Hutchinson was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £128.

Representing the Environment Agency, lawyer Matthew Treece told the court that files on Bell’s mobile phone and Hutchinson’s social media pages had highlighted multiple weekends of illegal netting during the summers of 2020 and 2021, along with photographs of both men posing with catches of up to 14 fish at a time.

Images from Hutchinson’s Facebook profile also showed a relative, with the captured fish, along with comments from Hutchinson encouraging them to become a “fine young poacher.”

On sentencing, District Judge Garland told the defendants: “You don’t know how lucky you are to avoid going on a trip to Durham this morning. I view and the law views the things you were up to as extremely serious. These weren’t boyish pranks. You were out there putting a large net across a confined space of river where it was highly likely you were going to catch fish of one sort or another. And you did. If you hadn’t gone around bragging on Facebook about what fish you were catching, you wouldn’t have been in as much trouble as you are.”

Following the case David Shears, Senior Fisheries Enforcement Officer for the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

“With salmon stocks reaching crisis in many of England’s rivers, this level of illegal activity could have a serious impact on the sustainability of future stocks in the River Wear. That’s why we take reports of suspected poaching seriously and work closely with the police to take action where appropriate.

“We’re committed to tackling illegal fishing of all kinds whether online or off and as this case clearly demonstrates, we will take action, especially where potentially damaging methods are used.”

PC Peter Baker, Wildlife Officer at Northumbria Police, said:
“We are really pleased to have been able to deliver effective justice and show the impact of illegal fishing and poaching. We are privileged to see a varied amount of marine wildlife around our area, and we should all play a part in protecting and supporting the environment. As a Force, we take all reports of this nature seriously and are committed to taking appropriate and robust action against the minority found to have been involved in such offences in the region’s waterways.”

Sunderland Echo
BBC News

Additional Information

When not illegally fishing, Connor Bell uses dogs to persecute wildlife with photos uploaded to his Facebook profile showing dogs bearing facial injuries consistent with being forced to fight foxes and/or badgers.

Bell is an associate of notorious psycho poacher Dewi Price.

Hutchinson is also a bloodsports enthusiast.

He runs a canine security business named N.E.F. Working Canines.

He has uploaded videos to YouTube showing a dog being trained to attack a human and even uses a young child, presumably his son, to demonstrate how vicious his dogs are.

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

Maidstone, Kent: Mark Bond

May 21, 2022 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2022) | serial wildlife criminal Mark Joseph Bond, born 26 February 1983, of 63 Mayfair Avenue, Maidstone ME15 6BZ.

Mark Bond with wife and mother of his two young children, Gemma Bond.

Bond, who has clear links to another wildlife persecutor from Loose, Jimmy Price, was given a suspended jail sentence after being found guilty of killing a fallow deer and causing unnecessary suffering to his dog Vegas, who he used for hunting.

Mark Bond told a friend he thought Vegas’ jaw would “drop off” if he carried on hunting with her. Picture: RSPCA

Magistrates told the married father-of-two he had a “total disregard” for Vegas’s well-being after messages he sent a friend revealed she had two holes in her jaw after being sent underground to hunt.

Bond, a director of his family’s business JRB Fabrications Ltd and roofer with sister company JRB Roofing Ltd, said he hadn’t taken Vegas to the vets but was treating her himself by cleaning the wound and giving her anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.

He admitted he’d been “ratting and rabbiting” before but had denied killing the fallow deer. His lawyer, Amy Hazlewood, told the court that her client now accepted his guilt, but was “remorseful”.

Hazlewood said that “it is a hobby which got out of hand.”, adding “since that day he has never engaged in the hobby.”

But Bond was slammed by magistrates for hunting for his “own gratification”, before being told: “It is clear from the evidence who and what you are.”

Probation officer Andrew Wood said any custodial sentence would mean “heartbreak” for Mr Bond’s young family, including both his children aged under 10.

During the two-day trial magistrates were shown chilling videos of badgers and boars being attacked by dogs and stabbed.

Videos included dogs attacking a boar, a badger and a deer, with the boar letting out a high-pitch squeal as it was stabbed by an unknown person.

The court also saw a picture of Bond posing with a dead boar, which prosecutor Richard Reynolds claimed was a “trophy” image. He also claimed Bond stabbed the animal after setting three dogs on it.

But Bond denied this, saying the boar was shot on land with the permission of the owner and was different to the animal filmed being stabbed.

In October 2019, RSPCA chief inspector William Mitchell visited Bond at his then home in Mayfair Avenue, Loose.

His five dogs were in kennels at the property while a fridge was found packed with meat and five skulls, thought to belong to deer.

A hunting knife and tools used for hunting were found in his van.

Magistrates told sick Bond: “It is clear from the evidence who and what you are.”

Bond gave evidence about injuries his terrier Vegas had sustained, as well as messages he sent on WhatsApp boasting about killing a deer.

He bragged his dog Vinnie killed a deer but when questioned by Mr Reynolds said the messages were just “a joke” and “banter” as friends would mock Vinnie’s hunting skill.

One read: “I’m out lamping now, Vinnie just got a fallow,” while in another he said he’d be “eating venison” for a week.

He was cleared of other charges during his trial in April 2022 including stabbing a boar, and killing a badger and another deer.

He appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on 20 May 2022 while his wife Gemma Bond, clearly standing by him, sat in court.

Sentencing | 90-day prison term for causing unnecessary harm to a dog with 60 days for killing the fallow deer, the terms were suspended for 18 months; 250 hours of unpaid work; 10 rehabilitation sessions; £1422 in costs and charges. 10-year ban on keeping dogs. Deprivation order for Vegas and three other dogs.

Kent Live

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

Macduff, Aberdeenshire: Liam Taylor

November 3, 2021 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Liam Hector Taylor, born 13 May 1989, of 14 Deyhill, Macduff AB44 1PX – used a dog for badger baiting and failed to treat his severe facial wounds.

Liam Taylor failed to get treatment for Brock’s horrific facial wounds suffered after his owner forced him to fight a badger.

Twisted Liam Taylor admitted failing to get proper treatment for the horrific facial wounds suffered by bull lurcher Brock after he forced him to fight badgers.

Taylor bought the dog with the intention of using him for “pig digging”, the term often used for badger baiting, between September 21 and October 8, 2019.

He was caught after graphics showing the dog’s injuries, as well as “trophy photos” of him hunting using the dog, were ordered online and the concerned business owner reported the suspected abuse.

Officers from the Scottish SPCA found the injured dog suffering from missing teeth, an injured face and paw, one nostril part-ripped off and cuts around his muzzle area.

Liam Taylor pictured during a court appearance in October 2021. Photo credit: Kathryn Wylie, Evening Express.

The dog was examined by a specialist vet.

Their expert opinion was that the dog had been used repeatedly for hunting resulting in multiple “very serious and disfiguring injuries”. The injuries seen were thought to be a mixture of injuries sustained from fighting with foxes and a badger.

Fiscal depute Karon Rollo told Banff Sheriff Court that Brock’s injuries were consistent with fighting badgers and foxes and said Taylor had been treating the wounds with just salted water.

“The accused said he had owned the dog for less than one month and they were healing injuries,” she said.

“He said the dog received the injuries whilst fighting in Ireland, where the dog originated from.

“He denied causing the wounds and being present when dogs were used for fighting animals. He had been treating the wounds with salty water.

The vet said Brock’s injuries were consistent with repeated hunting activity.

“Loss of teeth is something which is also typically caused as a result of fighting with badgers. Much of the lower lip area had been ripped off.

“The vet said they would have been very painful and any infection could have caused septicemia. There were also ulcerated wounds and scabbing.”

Further evidence in the form of texts sent to a confiscated phone also incriminated Taylor.

He referenced “pig digging, how he “hoped this dog makes is as a pig digger” and how Brock took “a fair bit of punishment from that pig at the weekend”.

Other messages mentioned the dog being “chewed close to the windpipe” and disclosed details of Taylor arranging to meet the recipient to “send dogs down sets”.

The phone also held photos showing Brock bearing fresh wounds and smeared with blood.

DNA from a knife found in Taylor’s jacket found it had been in contact with roe deer and badger and a skin stapler found in his toolbox held Brock’s DNA.

The dog is currently under the care of the SSPCA which says he is looking “much happier”.

Taylor pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to get treatment for the animal, and of training or keeping an animal to fight another.

Sentencing: Community Payback Order requiring him to be under supervision for 12 months and to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. 10-year ownership ban.

Herald
Grampian Online
BBC News

Additional Information:

Taylor is married to Nicole Innes, a nurse with NHS Grampian. The pair have children.

He is originally from Fraserburgh, Grampian.

His Facebook profile, since removed, shows an obsession with weapons such as slingshots which are used by bloodsports fiends to main and kill animals. He is signed up to numerous bloodsports groups, including one named ‘Bunny Bashers’.

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

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

Lochgelly, Fife: Martin Davidson

October 4, 2020 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2020) | Martin Davidson, born 12/10/1995, of 23 Abbotsford Road, Lochore, Lochgelly KY5 8DT- trained four dogs to violently bait wild animals including badgers; failed to treat his dogs’ fighting injuries

Martin Davidson social media image — Martin Davidson

Davidson kept videos of his dogs viciously attacking foxes and sickeningly posed for pictures with the injured or dead animals.

The father-of-two trained his dogs for animal fighting including badger baiting.

Dog with horrific facial scarring — Davidson failed to take any of his dogs for veterinary treatment for their horrific facial injuries

He pleaded guilty to the charge along with failing to provide veterinary treatment to an injured dog in his care.

Davidson was investigated by the Scottish SPCA after the charity received intelligence about his behaviour.

Three of the dogs involved in the case were male, brindle coloured bull lurchers named Tramp, Mojo and Sid. The other was a female, white and tan, Staffordshire bull terrier named Lady.

The dogs were found injured as a result of the hunting and are now in the care of the SSPCA where they will be rehabilitated.

Shameless Davidson regularly uploads images of shocking animal cruelty to social media

An SSPCA special investigations unit undercover inspector, who cannot be named, said: “We received intelligence that Davidson was keeping and training dogs for the purposes of animal fighting.

“We obtained a search warrant and gained entry to the home of Davidson where we found the four dogs.

One of the dogs rescued from a life of pain and misery at the hands of monstrous Martin Davidson

“The Staffordshire bull terrier, Lady, was in the house. She had significant scarring to her muzzle and lower jaw. These injuries are consistent with animal fighting, in particular badger baiting.

“The three lurchers were found outdoors in a kennel and run in the rear garden, far too small for their size and breed. Two had obvious, fresh injuries to their ears and heads.

“We also found animal fighting paraphernalia at Davidson’s residence.

Social media post claiming it's — “It’s all lies!” Davidson’s foul-mouthed partner tries to convince people (maybe even herself) that he’s just misunderstood

“This included hunting gear, blood-stained wellies and a spot lamp commonly using for lamping with dogs, which is hunting at night.

“Multiple images were discovered of his dogs pictured with dead animals at night. Some featured the dogs viciously gripping foxes between their jaws.

“During interview, Davidson admitted that the four dogs were not registered with a vet and did not receive any medication or treatment to ease their suffering from any of the injuries they had sustained

“Other photos showed Lady, Tramp, Mojo and Sid in the back of Davidson’s vehicle at night with fresh injuries. Our expert vets determined these were consistent with animal fighting, specifically with badgers and foxes.

“The disregard that Davidson had for the welfare of the wild animals he forced his dogs to fight, and for his own dogs, is unfathomable. The dogs are in our care and are currently receiving the rehabilitation they need.”

Image shows Davidson's dog biting a fox — One of the many sickening images of animal cruelty found on Davidson’s phone

Sheriff Alastair Brown told Davidson: “You kept dogs for fighting and you kept them in conditions which were unsuitable to the extent that you weren’t meeting their needs properly.

“It’s been well known, because it gets publicity, that hunting with dogs, which appears to have been the reason for getting these dogs, is illegal.

“Beyond that, it’s perfectly clear to anyone with a grain of sense that there is substantial public disapproval of hunting with dogs, of dog fighting and failing to take care of dogs within your care.

“What you were doing was entirely unregulated – keeping dogs for fighting is reprehensible as well as criminal, and keeping animals in conditions in which there are harmed is deplorable.”

However, Sheriff Brown stopped short of a prison sentence after hearing Davidson previously served jail time for another matter, adding it was “regrettable” that this case had not been heard at the same time.

Horrific ear injury suffered by one of Davidson's dogs

Davidson’s lawyer Alexander Flett of Martin Johnston & Socha solicitors in Dunfermline said his client had been dealt a “harsh lesson”, alluding to the fact that his previous court appearance had sparked “unwelcome attention” from animal rights activists.

Sara Shaw, head of the wildlife and environmental crime unit said: “Dog fighting is a cruel illegal activity which causes terrible and unnecessary suffering to animals.

“I welcome today’s sentence and the granting of the order preventing Martin Davidson from keeping any animal for five years.

“COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in this barbaric practice are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on dog fighting to contact the police or the Scottish SPCA.”

Sentencing: 160 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping dogs for five years (expires October 2025).

The Courier

Update 17/10/2020:

Davidson was back in the dock where he pleaded guilty to possessing two air weapons at his home without holding a certificate for them.

The air guns were found during a raid by the Scottish SPCA in September 2019.

Sheriff James MacDonald imposed a community payback order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

UK Animal Cruelty Files