CONVICTED (2017) | Jack Crocker, born 16/12/1975, of Woodland View, Boscawen Mine, Blackwater, Truro TR4 8EZ, and Robbie Long, born 28/11/1995, of Lower Tolgullow Vean Farm, Little Beside, Redruth TR16 5PX – laughed as they set dogs on a young fox
Crocker and Long were given suspended sentences after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The RSPCA conducted an investigation after video footage was posted on Facebook which depicted dogs being set upon a fox.
Crocker also admitted using a bow to kill a wild animal at an earlier hearing.
The video footage showed the two men in a barn with dogs, Lady and Princess, who can be seen attacking the fox as laughter is heard in the background.
RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “The footage clearly shows these two men watching as the fox was subjected to what would have been a painful and drawn out death.
“Far from deal with the situation responsibly and humanely, instead they filmed the incident and could be heard laughing as the fox was being attacked.
“We hope this case being brought before the court will encourage others to report any concerns they have about animal welfare to report them to the police or RSPCA.”
Crocker had previously pleaded guilty to shooting a wild rabbit with a bow. This also only came to light when the RSPCA became aware of a photo on Facebook.
Sentencing:
Both Crocker and Long were sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for a year, and fined £425 and ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.
Crocker was also given an additional two-week suspended prison sentence to run consecutively for using a crossbow to kill an animal.
Neither of the two men were banned from keeping animals but voluntarily signed over both Lady and Princess into the care of the RSPCA.
Crocker and Robbie Long had appeared alongside Mikayla Long, born 26/10/1992, also of Lower Tolgullow Vean Farm, Redruth. She pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to border terriers between September 9 and 23, 2016. She denied three further charges, spanning the same dates, of causing unnecessary suffering to several border terrier puppies and a black and white terrier.
Details of the charges are that she failed to provide sufficient nutrition, address an internal parasitic burden or address an animal’s poor bodily condition and a mammary mass in regards the animals.
The outcome of the case against her isn’t known.
Barry John Rowe, also of Lower Tolgullow Vean Farm, Little Beside, St Day, Redruth TR15PX, also appeared and denied one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Rowe, who operates a refuse clearance business named B J Rowe Rubbish Removals and has an alternative address of The Caravan, Lower Tregullow, Redruth TR16 5PD, was alleged to have failed to investigate and address a black and white terrier bitch’s poor bodily condition and a mammary mass between September 9 and 23, 2016. The outcome of his case was not reported.
In April 2021 Rowe was banned from keeping dogs and ordered to pay thousands of pounds in costs after being caught breeding dogs illegally. The prosecution was brought by Cornwall Council’s Licensing team.
On Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court, Rowe was found guilty of operating a commercial dog breeding operation without a licence.
He was also found guilty of serious animal welfare offences, including causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide a duty of care to the dogs.
Five of Rowe’s dogs, some of which were pregnant, were seized under warrant by the council.
Rowe was ordered to pay £9,336.12 towards the council’s costs and pay a victim surcharge to the court.
Taking into account the seriousness of the offences and a relevant previous conviction, Rowe was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.
The District Judge also made a disqualification order preventing Rowe from owning, keeping or participating in the keeping of dogs.
I hope he looks after his Children better than he does Animals.
I also hope Social Services are keeping a close eye on the Children.
A bit of work they need, they wouldn’t have the energy to go lamping in the nights, or what ever else they get up to.
Scum will have no luck for what they have done.