CONVICTED (2024) | wildlife persecutor Sean Garland, born c. 1985, of Blackfolds Farm, Dufftown, near Keith AB55 4DS* – left his dogs in pain with severe facial injuries after forcing them to fight badgers and foxes.

Sean Garland, who originates from Penistone, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire and has strong links to Flockton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to cruelty offences in relation to Patterdale terriers Midge, aged four, and 12-year-old Muff by failing to obtain veterinary treatment for severe facial injuries. He also admitted keeping three dogs for the purposes of animal fighting.

The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) began investigating Garland after they were contacted with allegations he was involved in badger baiting and other wildlife persecution. Welfare concerns were also raised about his dogs and the lack of veterinary treatment for their ‘fighting’ wounds.

An SSPCA specialist investigation officer said: “Due to the immediate and real concern for the welfare of the dogs being kept the premises were searched.

“Within kennels we found a black Patterdale terrier named Muff who was around 12 years of age. She had very obvious facial injuries to her lower lip, nose and chin area.

“Her upper lip had an old wound that extended up to the nasal area. There were numerous healed marks and scars and old healed injuries around her jaw area, muzzle and nose area.

“The injuries were consistent with having been caused and inflicted by a badger and fox.”

Investigators also found brown Patterdale terrier called Midge, who was being kept in a small crate. She had significant facial injuries to her lower lip, chin and muzzle area. Her nose appeared to be distorted with a ‘dent’ and deep scarring to the bridge.

Garland’s property was searched, with investigators finding two locating tracker collars and a locating box – equipment commonly used in badger baiting and fox hunting.

“Both dogs were removed from the premises for immediate veterinary treatment to be carried out,” the investigator said.

They continued: “The vet examined both Muff and Midge and concluded that they would have suffered unnecessarily when the injuries were inflicted and thereafter untreated.

“Both dogs had facial injuries consistent with repeated episodes of face to face combat with wild animals. While some of these injuries may have been fox-related, the more severe facial injuries including lower lip avulsions, missing and damaged teeth and nasal trauma and disfiguration as seen in Midge were more consistent with badger injuries.

It was concluded that both dogs had been used for repeated episodes of hunting due to the varying nature and age of wounds suffered.

No phone was found during a search of Garland’s house, but a phone belonging to one of his associates was analysed and messages from Garland were discovered. One conversation read:

Garland: “I lost my big black dog today, broke its jaw and got pulled right back to his throat”
Associate: “Did he still stick with it until the end?”
Garland: “Yes he bolted it, two and a half hours he was in.”
Associate: “He went out on a high then, just a big gap to fill now.”

Garland was charged with keeping three dogs for animal fighting, and twice causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs – and failing to get veterinary treatment for them.

Garland’s defence agent, Stuart Flowerdew of Gray & Gray LLP in Peterhead, said his client had been working hounds and terriers to control foxes.

He said: “The other 28 dogs at his property were in immaculate condition – he is well known for being good with dogs.

“He feels deep shame that he became involved in this matter and cannot explain why he did.”

Flowerdew said Garland had been targeted by animal rights activists and had received death threats.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, the SSPCA specialist investigator said: “We are satisfied that Garland received a 10-year ban on owning and keeping all animals though we had hoped for a custodial sentence.

“Both Midge and Muff suffered horrendous injuries that were left untreated and clearly caused them pain and distress over a long period.

“I would also like to thank Karon Rollo, Procurator Fiscal Depute, Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit for her dedication to this case and to Lucy Webster from SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) for assisting with the DNA collecting to show the use of badger and fox DNA in this case.”

Midge and Muff have since been rehomed.

Sentencing | 200 hours of community service. Banned from keeping or working with any animals for 10-years (expires June 2034).

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Additional Information

*Garland now reportedly lives in Moorlands Crescent, Huddersfield HD3 3UF.