CONVICTED (2019) | James ‘Jimboy’ Price, born 25 April 1983, of the Caravan Park, Sherdley Road, St Helens WA9 5DH – dragged a French bulldog behind a trailer for 13 miles after “failing to realise” she was trapped
Price claimed in court that he had not realised his dog’s lead was attached to his vehicle’s trailer as he set off from his home at the travellers’ site in Sherdley Road, St Helens. He then drove for 13 miles before the lead snapped leaving the dog’s mangled body lying on Brasenose Road in Bootle.
The following morning the RSPCA were alerted by a member of the public who had discovered the dog’s remains.
Inspectors tracked down Price via the dog’s microchip.
Price pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on the basis he “ought to have known the animal was not entangled in a vehicle.”
The court heard that Price had “never intended” to harm the dog, named Pepper, who he and partner Lisa Walker had used for producing multiple litters of puppies, which they then sold on Facebook for around £1,300 each.
Daniel Kenyon, representing Price, told the court the loss of a family pet had been “punishment enough.”
Presiding magistrate Frank Dainty, passing sentence, said: “I do not believe you intended to harm the animal, but in future you need to check every corner of your vehicle before you set off.”
Sentencing | ordered to pay £1,238 in fines and costs. Banned from keeping animals for 12 months (expired October 2020).
In July 2021 James Price’s partner Lisa Walker was given a community order and 12-month ban on dealing in dogs after being convicted of selling puppies illegally.
Walker was prosecuted by the now sadly defunct charity Animal Protection Services, who succeeded in hauling many pet profiteers before the courts.
Absolutely Heart Breaking.
Imagine how that little Dog must have Suffered such a Cruel Death. Especially after the poor little Dog had earned them all that money.