CONVICTED (2022) | Shaun Simms, born 22 June 1968, of Pond View, Kelfield, York* – subjected a puppy to a series of sustained attacks.
Shaun Simms was fined and given a four-year disqualification order on keeping dogs after being convicted of cruelty to the husky cross puppy, named Rex.
The RSPCA were alerted after a neighbour made a number of audio recordings over a five-week period in which Rex could be heard yelping as he was attacked. Children’s voices could reportedly be heard on some of the recordings.
Simms and wife Emma Simms were prosecuted although the latter’s ‘not guilty’ plea was accepted by the court, this despite her voice reportedly being on some of the recordings.
Rex has mostly recovered from his ordeal in the RSPCA’s care but remains very nervous.
Source: privately researched.
From York Press 11/02/2022:
Simms was convicted of neglecting the needs of a crossbred type dog.
The court heard that he was not the owner of the dog concerned when he stood trial.
He denied a charge of failure to ensure that the dog, called Rex, was not protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.
Magistrates heard evidence about his care of the dog and convicted him of the offence.
Simms also denied a charge of trying to prevent the dog from behaving in a natural way and was acquitted of that charge.
Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £962. Banned from owning or keeping a dog for just four years (expires February 2026).
Case Outcome in full
Emma Simms:
Alleged Offences: On or before 11/01/2020 at Pond View, Kelfield, York did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely a crossbred type dog by the name Rex, were met to the extent required by good practice in that you did not ensure the animal’s need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns. Contrary to section 9 and 32(2) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
On or before 11/01/2020 at Pond View, Kelfield, York did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely a crossbred type dog by the name Rex, were met to the extent required by good practice in that you did not ensure the animal’s need to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease. Contrary to section 9 and 32(2) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Both alleged offences were dismissed during the hearing on the 07/02/2022.
Shaun Simms:
Alleged Offences: On or before 11/01/2020 at Pond View, Kelfield, York did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely a crossbred type dog by the name Rex, were met to the extent required by good practice in that you did not ensure the animal’s need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns. Contrary to section 9 and 32(2) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
On or before 11/01/2020 at Pond View, Kelfield, York did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely a crossbred type dog by the name Rex, were met to the extent required by good practice in that you did not ensure the animal’s need to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease. Contrary to section 9 and 32(2) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
First alleged offence dismissed and found guilty of second alleged offence in relation to ‘ the animal’s need to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease’.
Fine totalling £962.00 imposed and a Section 34 Animal Welfare Act 2006 order was issued to disqualify Mr. Simms in respect of dogs from owning them, keeping them, participating in keeping them and from being party to an arrangement under which the defendant is entitled to control or influence the way in which they are kept for a period of 4 year(s).
No deprivation order was made as Shaun Simms is not the owner of the dog named Rex.
Updates
*August 2022: the Simms are now understood to be living in Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds LS25.
People such as this shouldn’t have Animals Full Stop.
If you haven’t got the Patience for Basic Training, that A Puppy Dog will obviously need. Then don’t get one in the first place.
Emma Simms .. why are you still with this skank ? Oh because you knew exactly what he was doing to the dog & you chose to stay with him rather than save the poor dog the abuse eh ? You are lucky you weren’t charged !!
As she got a Not Guilty there’s nothing stopping her going out and getting another dog. If you’re selling dogs or puppies, please run the name of the would be buyers through Google. It’s important everyone locally knows about this so nobody sells them another dog. Thanks for putting their faces and names out there. Keep up the good work.