Category Archives: foxes

foxes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Muswell Hill, London Borough of Haringey: Richard Rosen

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CONVICTED (2023) | Richard Adrian Rosen, born June 1958, of 78 Twyford Avenue, Muswell Hill, London N2 9NN – poisoned a fox cub.

London man Richard Rosen pictured outside court after he was convicted of despicable cruelty to a fox cub
Despite subjecting a trapped fox cub to a slow, painful death, Richard Rosen walked free from court with a conditional discharge

Rosen told the court that having caught the cub he decided to try to “humanely euthanise” her as he had no safe way of releasing her.

But a judge decided that Rosen caused the fox unnecessary suffering as he placed her in a wheelie bin and then in a rubble sack along with a bowl of dichloromethane (DCM) – a banned poison.

Rosen laid the trap at the end of his garden in Twyford Avenue, Muswell Hill, on the evening of May 18, 2021, to catch a rat that his lodger Annabel Eager had seen.

The following morning a three-month old fox cub weighing 2kgs was found in the trap.

District Judge Denis Brennan said: “As [Rosen] approached it, it was scrabbling, digging at the concrete, with eyes frantic, snarling, with bared teeth. He did not know what to do but decided against release as he feared it might bite him.”

Rosen collected a bottle of an old poison from the 1980s which he believed was chloroform. However, the bottle was clearly labelled DCM – a now banned substance which was used in paint stripper products until 2010.

London man Richard Rosen pictured holding the cage with the dead fox cub inside
Rosen pictured holding the cage with the dead fox cub inside

As he collected the poison from her bathroom, Ms Eager said her landlord sounded proud of himself that he had caught the fox.

Describing the fox, Ms Eager said: “Her fur was sticking out of the bars a little bit. She was cramped, stressed, she looked like she had been there a long time.

“She was having a dig into the corners trying to find a way of getting out of but it was locked, she couldn’t get out.”

Defending Rosen, Anthony James said: “The defendant took some steps before making the decision to euthanise the fox. He called the vets, who were unable to assist him.

“He then called the RSPCA and remained on the phone for approximately 10 minutes but was unable to get through to anyone. He was of the view that the fox needed to be dealt with quickly.”

Rosen then placed the caged fox in a wheelie bin with a bowl of DCM.
When after around 40 minutes it was still alive, Rosen also covered the caged fox with a thick rubble bag.

After Ms Eager phoned the RSPCA, one of the charity’s officers Jack Taylor arrived at the property.

“I asked Mr Rosen why he killed the fox. He told me he caught a fox accidentally and proceeded to kill it using chloroform,” Mr Taylor said.

“I asked why he didn’t release the fox. He told me because foxes are vermin and that would be unthinkable.”

When he was asked to surrender the dead fox, Mr Taylor said: “Mr Rosen shook the fox out of the cage as if he was trying to get ketchup out of a bottle.”

Rosen told the court he would not have killed it if he had been given advice by the RSPCA but he was unable to get help.

When asked why he described foxes as vermin, he said: “I was upset, foxes had been s***ing on my driveway, I was annoyed.”

Two animal forensics experts called to give evidence were unable to agree on whether the animal suffered before her death

Dr Sean Taylor, called by prosecutor Hazel Stevens, said that inside the wheelie bin the poison would evaporate and cause the fox to suffer. Dr Taylor said the fox’s eyes, nose and airways would all be stinging because of the irritant.

“It certainly would cause a fox distress when that substance is inhaled, which of course would have been unavoidable for the fox,” he said.

However, Dr David Bailey, who was called by defence counsel Mr James, said the fox appeared to have died peacefully.

Dr Bailey said: “There was no external trauma. Animals that are distressed in these situations often defecate themselves or urinate themselves. There was no sign of this.”

Dr Bailey suggested the fox may have died due to a build-up of carbon dioxide rather than due to a lack of oxygen.

“You don’t suffer, smell or detect a build-up of CO2,” he said. “The fox would have experienced, in my opinion, a very similar process to how they slaughter pigs.”

However, in his judgement District Judge Brennan said: “There is ample evidence here, on the facts, that the fox cub was caused unnecessary suffering by the combination of inhalation of DCM in the confined space of the closed wheelie bin and suffocation within the bag within the bin.

“It was clearly in that bin for at least 40 mins before being wrapped up in the builder’s bag. It did not die instantaneously from inhalation of DCM, on the evidence here. This is not a case of industrial amounts of carbon dioxide being applied very quickly.

“Therefore the only possible explanation, taking the acknowledged stress the animal was under before it was put inside the bin, is that for an unknown but significant period before unconsciousness occurred, it would have suffered due to the effects of DCM and the lack of oxygen.”

On September 22, 2023) Rosen was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and administering a poisonous substance to a protected animal.

Sentencing | 12-month conditional discharge. Ordered to pay £12,000 in costs to the RSPCA.

Ham&High

animal fighting / baiting, dog fighting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Snaring and Trapping, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Dufftown, Moray: David Scott

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CONVICTED (2023) | former head gamekeeper David John Scott, born c. 1989, of Bridgehaugh, Dufftown, Keith AB55 4DS – kept 14 dogs in appalling conditions at the home he shared with wife Gillian Elizabeth Scott.

Dufftown man David Scott, a former gamekeeper, admitted neglecting 14 dogs with additional charges relating to dog fighting and setting a dog on a snared fox were dropped
David Scott, a former gamekeeper, admitted neglecting 14 dogs with additional charges relating to dog fighting and setting a dog on a snared fox were dropped. Photo credit: Press & Journal

Scott admitted a catalogue of animal welfare offences in relation to 14 neglected dogs.

The Crown accepted a not guilty plea from his wife, Gillian Scott.

The court heard Scott had been head gamekeeper at Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estates until the raid on his home in September 2022.

Fiscal depute Karen Poke said the Scottish SPCA’s special investigation unit had received a tip-off about the welfare of animals being kept by the Scotts during August 2022 and attended the scene with police.

Wife Gillian Scott escaped punishment after her not guilty plea was accepted by the court. Picture: Facebook
Wife Gillian Scott escaped punishment after her not guilty plea was accepted by the court

There they found three “wet, extremely dirty” and “totally unacceptable” kennel blocks, each without any sleeping areas for the dogs.

Ms Poke said: “There was a strong smell of faeces and urine abundant throughout the kennels,

“There were no dry areas for the dogs to lie down and no evidence of any dog food.”

The officers found a barrel full of rotten meat and fish it was suggested this is what the dogs were being fed.

All 14 dogs were removed to the care of the SSPCA and were said to have been “suffering and in distress”.

Scott admitted causing unnecessary suffering and pain to dogs by not seeking veterinary treatment or providing them with essential care.

David Scott, a former gamekeeper, admitted neglecting 14 dogs with additional charges relating to dog fighting and setting a dog on a snared fox were dropped. Photo credit: Press & Journal
Photo credit: Press & Journal

As part of a plea bargain, a not guilty plea to a charge that Scott trained a male black and tan dog called Boysie to fight and supplied videos of his brawls was accepted by the Crown.

The dog-fights were said to have taken place at the home address.

Another offence, whilst at Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estate on July 13 2022, of snaring a fox and letting his dog attack it, was also dropped.

The 14 neglected dogs included:

  • Ellie, a female harrier-type dog, who suffered an ear mite infection for weeks without getting treatment.
  • Babatoots, a female spaniel who also had infected ears and gums for weeks without medical help.
  • Toots, another female spaniel who suffered from infections of the ears and gums.
  • Sadie, a female spaniel who had chronic ear infections and conjunctivitis.

Defence counsel Callum Anderson said the couple had been going through a “difficult period” in their lives at the time of the police raid.
He said Scott had accepted the conditions were “awful” and said the kennels had become so wet due to a “torrential storm” the night before.

Mr Anderson said Mrs Scott still owns two dogs as family pets and said the lapse was due to “dramatic circumstances”, including the death of her father and a medical issue around the date of the offences.

“They accept they were not dealing with matters at that time. That is the reason why veterinary treatment was neglected,” he said.

Scott had lost his position as head gamekeeper after the raid and had been “demoted sideways”, whilst still earning a salary of £40,000 plus accommodation worth £15,000 per annum.

“He recognises it was not acceptable and lessons have been learned,” Mr Anderson said.

On sentencing, Sheriff Robert McDonald said Scott had “failed to keep a grip” on his animals, adding: “No matter how bad your life is, your animals still need looking after.

“The dogs don’t care. If things are tough, you should make arrangements for them.

“I am conscious of your employment and that you may be around dogs when out on a shoot. I have the power to impose a custodial sentence or a £20,000 fine.

“However, I have taken this into account and take a serious view and will impose a fine.”

Sentencing | fined £1,275. Banned from owning more than two dogs for just three years (expires September 2026).

Press & Journal

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

Burford, Oxfordshire: Christopher Woodward

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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.”

Former Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher Woodward was caught interfering with a badger sett

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

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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

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

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire: Ollie Finnegan

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CONVICTED (2022) | former Quorn huntsman John Oliver Finnegan known as Ollie Finnegan, born 13 August 1985, previously of the Quorn Hunt Kennels, Gaddesby Lane, Melton Mowbray LE14 2TQ but more recently of Kennel Lane, Northwich – for illegal hunting with dogs.

Bloodthirsty Ollie Finnegan was convicted of illegally hunting with dogs
Ollie Finnegan was convicted of breaching the Hunting Act after dozens of incriminatory WhatsApp messages were found on his phone

Finnegan, who is now huntsman of the Cheshire Hunt based in Sandiway, Northwich, was seen fox hunting on 7 January 2022. He was caught during a joint meet near Hartpury between Leicestershire’s Quorn Hunt and the Ledbury Hunt, which is based in Gloucestershire.

The meet came less than a fortnight after Ledbury joint hunt master David Redvers said his hunt was committed to trail hunting, which is legal.

Bloodthirsty Ollie Finnegan was convicted of illegally hunting with dogs
Finnegan is now a huntsman with the Cheshire Hunt.

Key evidence was found on Finnegan’s phone after it was seized by officers from Leicestershire Police.

WhatsApp messages on the day show communication about illegal fox-hunting with an unnamed huntsman.

He asked Finnegan: “How’d you get on at Ledbury today?”

Finnegan replies “Only found a brace [of foxes]. First one went to ground, The second went 5 fields to a real thick cover which we weren’t aloud in and had to stop [the hounds].”

The huntsman replies: “used to be full of them round there! Had my best days around there.”

Bloodthirsty Ollie Finnegan was convicted of illegally hunting with dogs

On another occasion the Master says “How did this evening go?” to which Finnegan replied “Found 2 brace [foxes] seen another 2 brace, very busy all night. Hounds hunted well considering the heat.”

Dozens of messages and videos were found on Finnegan’s phone, but only a tiny minority were shared with the court.

Following the conviction, a spokesperson for the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) said: “We can confirm that a current member of the BHSA has today pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7th January 2022, near Hartbury, Glos.

“This organisation does not condone illegal activity and the matter has been referred to the Hound Sports Regulatory Authority (HSRA) which is the regulatory body responsible for disciplinary matters.”

Finnegan with wife Rachel Finnegan and their two boys
Finnegan with wife Rachel Finnegan, who hunts in her own right, and their two boys

Speaking about the case, Lynn Sawyer of Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, said : “Three counties sabs are pleased that the Hunting Act has been enforced in this case.

“Along with Herefordshire hunt sabs we attended the joint Quorn/Ledbury meet to protect foxes and we will continue to sab fox hunts until they stop harming wildlife.”

Sentencing | fined £656.

ITV News
Hunt Saboteurs Association
Mirror

Additional Information

In March 2021 Ollie Finnegan was accused of illegally hunting a wild mammal with dogs alongside whipper-in Rhys Matcham, born August 1991, of Kennel Drive, Badminton, South Gloucestershire GL9 1DJ.

The allegations related to an incident in Breedon on the Hill, North West Leicestershire, on February 4, 2020.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty and faced trial in August 2021.

Matcham and Finnegan pictured during their court appearance in August 2021
Matcham and Finnegan pictured during their court appearance in August 2021

Shockingly they were found not guilty after the Crown Prosecution Service accepted the case had no reasonable prospect of conviction.

The Crown had claimed footage filmed by the League Against Cruel Sports showed ‘a proper fox hunt going back to the olden days’.

But the first witness in the case, the League’s staff member Roger Swaine, told the court on Tuesday that he could not see where Matcham was looking when a fox was seen to emerge from a covert.

Defence lawyer Stephen Welford then asked Mr Swaine: “It’s perfectly reasonable to suggest that hounds were in that bit of covert, they had found an artificial trail…and a fox popped out. That is one possibility, is it not?”

Mr Swaine answered: “Yes.”

Explaining the Crown’s decision to drop the case, before Finnegan and Matcham had given evidence, prosecutor Mark Fielding said: “The Crown Prosecution Service have a duty to review the prospects of success of a matter at all times, up to and including the end of the case.

“Suffice to say, having listened to Mr Swaine giving clearly honest and truthful evidence in cross-examination, for which he is to be commended, my impression, which I communicated to the reviewing lawyer, was that this case no longer had a reasonable prospect of success.”

Immediately after Mr Fielding’s comments, the chair of the three-strong magistrates’ bench entered not guilty verdicts on both defendants.

Martin Sims, director of investigations at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “We’re understandably disappointed with this result but we stand by the evidence we presented, which clearly shows hounds hunting a fox.

“While there are questions that need to be answered about the prosecution’s approach, it’s yet further confirmation that the Hunting Act needs to be strengthened so that it does what it’s supposed to – preventing foxes being chased by hounds.”

In August 2022 Rhys Matcham now of the Beaufort Hunt was back in court to face new charges of hunting a wild animal with a dog.

He and co-accused Matthew Ramsden, 35, pleaded not guilty.

Matcham and Finnegan pictured during their court appearance in August 2021

Prosecutor Natalie Cheeseman alleged the defendants allowed a pack of hounds to chase a fox in Brokenborough, Malmesbury, at about 8.30am on 13 September 2021.

She said the prime evidence, in the form of video footage, was provided by a member of Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch.

Ms Cheeseman alleged that Matcham and Ramsden were “knowingly engaged in hunting a fox” and did nothing to stop the hounds from pursuing the fox.

She added: “No one appears to do anything to stop the hounds chasing fox”.

Daniel Gill, defending, said his clients both deny hunting whilst legally following a trail and that they “did everything they could” to stop the hounds from pursuing the fox.

The trial will be heard at Swindon Magistrates’ Court later in 2022, but legal advisor Juen Batchelor said a date cannot be fixed until expert witnesses have confirmed their availability.

Matcham, of Kennel Drive, Badminton, and Ramsden, of High Street, Badminton, were remanded on unconditional bail.

Update | August 2023

Finnegan, most recently employed by the Cheshire Hunt, was found guilty of two counts of illegal hunting. He was convicted in his absence after he failed to attend court for a third time.

Finnegan was fined the maximum amount – £1000 – for each of the two offenses and must pay court costs. He was also given a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order including one sanction stating that he cannot hunt with more than 10 hounds.

The Hunt Saboteurs report that Finnegan has now moved to Ireland where foxhunting is legal.

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

Cross Houses, Shropshire: Daniel Cherriman

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CONVICTED (2022) | Hunt master Daniel James Cherriman, born June 1985, of Eaton Mascott, Cross Houses, Shrewsbury SY5 6HF – failed to call off dogs when they “disturbed” a fox.

Daniel Cherriman

South Shropshire Hunt master and ex huntsman of the Pytchley Hunt Daniel Cherriman was in charge of a hunt on National Trust land in the Long Mynd area of Church Stretton when the dogs caught scent of an animal.

According to Cherriman’s legal representative, the fox was not killed,

The court heard that footage captured by witnesses showed Cherriman making noises to disturb foxes. He then did nothing as the hounds hunted.

As hunt master, Cherriman should have identified what was happening and taken measures to take the hounds off the scent. The court was told Cherriman was responsible for the hounds on that day, and he should have taken reasonable action.

Cherriman pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with dogs, contrary to the Hunting Act 2004.

Stephen Belford, mitigating, said that Cherriman would likely “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs who would “rejoice” in his guilty plea.

“It’s not a case where there was a kill,” he said. “On this occasion a fox was disturbed.”

Oliver Beazley

The case had been due to go to trial in December 2022, with Cherriman’s “whipper-in” or assistant, Oliver Beazley, also due to appear in court. However, Cherriman told his legal representative he wanted to plead guilty at the beginning of October 2022. The case against Beazley was discontinued.

Cherriman is a self-employed father-of-three who rides as an amateur jockey in point to point races.

Sentencing | ordered to pay a total of £803 in fine, costs and surcharge.

Shropshire Star

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.

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

Hanford, North Dorset: Mark Pearson

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CONVICTED (2022) | huntsman Mark Anthony Pearson, born February 1960, of Chisel House, Hanford, Blandford Forum DT11 8HQ – found guilty of illegal hunting after he “encouraged” his out of control dogs to kill a fox.

Image source: Daily Echo

Company director Mark Pearson was observed by activists from Weymouth Animal Rights to shout “carry on” and “hunt on” at his hounds after they chased and attacked the animal during a trail hunt. The joint master of the South Dorset Hunt was then seen to carry the dead fox out of undergrowth where it had been cornered.

Pearson was found guilty of illegally hunting a wild mammal with dogs in violation of the Hunting Act 2004. Magistrates heard Pearson was leading the South Dorset Hunt through countryside in Bere Regis when the incident happened on December 13, 2021.

Another fox had been killed earlier that day by the same pack of dogs but that incident was dismissed as an unfortunate accident by police.

Image source: Weymouth Animal Rights

Two hours later, when the majority of the hunt had left, hunt saboteurs monitoring the event heard the hounds baying. One animal rights campaigner filmed the aftermath of the attack.

Pearson can be seen in footage dressed in the red coat of a master huntsman getting off his horse and walking to the barking hounds by the gorse.

Molly Mifsud, prosecuting, told the courtthat Pearson had failed to stop his hounds from killing the fox while unaware he was being filmed.

She said: “There was a hunt going on and the hounds went to ground.

“Actions of the huntsman prior to that point caused that fox to be killed.

“These actions were all in violation of Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004.

“A person commits an offence if he hunts a wild mammal with a dog.”

Joanne Joss, one of the saboteurs, told the court she thought Pearson was encouraging the hounds.

Asked by the prosecutor what Ms Joss heard Pearson shouting after he got off his horse, she replied: “He got off his horse and joined the hounds in the gorse.

“He seemed to be encouraging them and I could hear him shouting ‘carry on’ and when he emerged from the gorse he kept saying ‘hunt on.'”

Miss Mifsud asked Ms Joss how many times Pearson ‘encouraged’ the hounds.

She said: “He was by the hounds on horseback. He told them to ‘carry on’ and said that four times as if he wanted them to carry on where the fox was.

“He got off the horse and joined them in the gorse, we thought he was leading them on.”

Derek Perry, defending, denied that Pearson had encouraged the hounds. He said his client tried to call the dogs back and was heard shouting at them ‘leave it’.

Mr Perry said: “The reality is that he blew his horn to call the hounds back.

“When the hounds didn’t all obey he got off his horse and came straight down the hill to tell them to leave it.

“The recording was taken from some fields away and in it you can hear Mr Pearson shouting ‘leave it’.

“He does not run away from the scene, he calmly takes the body to be taken away and continues on.

“At no point can Mr Pearson be heard saying ‘hunt on’.”

But in finding him guilty, presiding magistrate Justice Stephen Corben told Pearson that he should have had control over the hounds before they slaughtered the fox.

Mr Corben said: “The prosecution has shown us three video clips and called witnesses who have given evidence that is credible and consistent.

“Mr Pearson told the court that he had decades of experience with hounds.

“He stated that he tried to get the hounds to stop but it seems that they were already hunting in the gorse.

“We believe that Mr Pearson should have had full control of his pack.

“He told us he used a special call to bring them back but it didn’t work.

“We therefore find him guilty of the illegal hunting of a wild mammal.”

Sentencing: fined £6,000, victim surcharge of £190 and costs of £620.

Daily Lock

Update | March 2023

Pearson had his conviction for illegal fox hunting overturned after a judge raised “significant concerns” over the Crown’s case.

In overturning the decision, His Honour Judge Stephen Climie said the Crown has ‘failed to prove’ it was Mr Pearson’s intention for the dogs to kill the animal but did say Pearson ‘could have done more’ to prevent the death.

Dorset Echo

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

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