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.
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.
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.
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.
Bit of work the Scum wants.
He wouldn’t have the energy to go out Lamping and Hunting, poor little Animals.
What a sad life this Scum has. His Children will be Bullied in School and out the Street. He is bringing Shame To His Family.
I would be Ashamed to be associated with this Scum, and couldn’t live under the same roof as this.
Shame On You. (I Pity Your Family).
Cant believe his wife works for the NHS and she’s with him
Shame you feel the need to be a bully yourself since you’re so “concerned” for his children. We’re all for animal rights but I’d keep the nasty thoughts to myself as it doesn’t make you any better than him, frankly.
Wrong
What a vile creature Liam Taylor is I bet your family are ashamed of you hurting poor defenceless animals hope in prison someone gives you a good battering because your on the same level as a peadophile scum all of you