CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder and conman Timothy Ronald Springett, born October 1973, with a last known address of Whinfell Avenue, Ramsgate CT11 0QE – kept a Russian terrier in conditions that exposed him to the elements and allowed his fur to become severely matted and full of dirt and faeces.
Following an RSPCA investigation former company director Tim Springett, who was jailed for four years in 2015 for serious tax fraud and money laundering offences, was found to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to the dog, called Barney. This states that owners must protect the animal from suffering by grooming regularly, and provide the animal with a safe and hygienic environment.
Police seized Barney at Springett’s home, after finding him wandering in the garden clambering over mess and smelling of faeces.
The Russian Terrier was found to have been carrying an extra 21% of its body weight from the excess hair. The RSPCA shaved 7.8kg of matted fur, with staff suspecting it was a result of the dog being left to sleep outside, with no shelter or dry areas.
Persistent liar Springett told RSPCA inspectors that he believed the breed did not need clipping.
In court he pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences.
In a witness statement, investigating RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash said Barney was: “extremely matted, with big clumps of fur hanging off of him that appeared to be full of dirt or faeces and tightly bound to areas around his back”
Describing how the pet’s poor odour made her feel ill, Tina said: “The dog did not smell very nice and made me want to wretch.
“The environment was very untidy with lots of stuff everywhere and very dirty.
“I went into the back garden which was covered in faeces and very dirty.
“There were no dry areas for the dog.”
The vet who shaved Barney said: “The dog had been made to support a coat weighing approximately 21% of his body weight as he moved around. The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet. I am in no doubt that this would cause the animal physical stress as he moved.
“It is my professional opinion, based on the information provided to me, that the person responsible for the care of the dog had failed to provide the dog with a sheltered sleeping area with bedding. The person had also failed to groom the dog over many months and, as a consequence, had left him in a position where he was likely to suffer.”
During mitigation, Springett said that he loves dogs and has experience working with them, and claimed his ill-health was behind the issues.
Barney has been transformed after months of care by the RSPCA. Currently in private boarding, he will be made available for rehoming soon.
Sentencing | 12-month community order. Five year ban applicable to all animals (expires February 2029).
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Additional Information
In 2015 Kimberley White, founder of The Retreat Animal Rescue, was given a conditional discharge after admitting illegally receiving 10 “malnourished” dogs from Tim Springett after he was arrested for fraud.
Kimberley pleaded guilty to handling three German and Belgian Shepherd dogs and seven puppies, all of whom were microchipped to Springett.
The court heard that while in custody Springett had asked his estranged wife to arrange care for the dogs, who were housed at his home in Whinfell Avenue, Ramsgate.
On his release from custody Springett discovered the dogs were missing and initially thought they had been seized by a landlord in lieu of non-payment of rent. But neighbours confirmed they had seen a van bearing the logo of The Retreat and a complaint was made to the police.
Kimberley’s lawyer told the court her client had spent £5,000 of her own money caring for the dogs, who she said were seriously malnourished.
She said: “Many of the puppies were close to death and she had wanted to care for them. She has now learned a harsh lesson.
“But she is a person who lives, breathes and sleeps her work looking after dogs. She made no money out of placing the animals. Her objective was to find them good and loving homes”.
The lawyer added that after some of the animals were later returned to Springett and after his jailing were given to the RSPCA and later put down.
The presiding judge, Heather Norton, gave Kimberley a conditional discharge and questioned whether her prosecution was in the public interest.
Evil man 🤬🤬
A disgusting criminal. A filthy cheat and liar whose cruelty to animals should make him an outcast .