Tag Archives: 2017 cases

dog used as a weapon, Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales: Marcus Walsh

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Marcus Walsh, born 25 August 1982, of Plantation Close, Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9LN – owner/in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control
Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

Convicted Class A drug dealer and prolific backyard breeder Marcus Walsh was not present when Rachel Millard was attacked by two XL bullies in Barry on March 20, 2022. She was left with puncture marks to her leg and finger, after placing herself over her puppy.

Ms Millard was walking along Coronation Street, Barry, with her boxer puppy when she saw two young girls open the front door of a house. One of the girls was screaming and the two dogs ran out of the property.

The whereabouts and fate of Marcus Walsh's XL bullies, from whom he'd produced at least one litter, are unconfirmed
The whereabouts and fate of Walsh’s XL bullies (pictured – note cropped ears on one of them), from whom he’d produced and sold at least one litter, are unconfirmed

The victim described the dogs as “excited” as they ran straight at her and her 15-week-old puppy, saying they were “fixated and focused” and thought they were “running to attack”.

In order to protect her dog she dropped to the floor and wrapped her arms around her puppy as the XL bullies tried to get at the puppy under her arms.

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

One of the dogs managed to get hold of the puppy but Ms Millard shouted “No” which deterred the dogs. She was screaming out for help and people looked on but did not intervene, the court heard. The victim attempted to stand up but the dogs jumped up on her and pinned her down on the floor.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said the attack lasted around seven minutes until she was able to get up and run from the dogs, adding whichever way she ran, the dogs ran after her.

The woman was able to seek refuge after a work colleague called her name and invited her into her house, as others tried to get the dogs back in the property they came from.

Ms Millard and her partner were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff by Walsh’s partner where she received treatment for injuries to her leg which bled on her jeans. There were seven puncture wounds to her left leg, a few inches above the ankle, and there were superficial cuts to her right index finger.

The puppy had superficial scratches and patches of bald fur.

After the incident, Walsh’s partner contacted Ms Millard and asked how she was. The defendant messaged apologising and told her not to ring the police.

He said: “Hiya love, so sorry this has happened. My daughter feels terrible for opening the door. Please don’t ring the police, I haven’t got the dogs now to stop them from being put down, it breaks my heart and the kids’. If you need help let us know.”

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

Walsh later attended her property bringing flowers and apologising, saying there was concern around him being on licence and having been banned from owning dogs. He said it was “pointless” contacting the police because the dogs had been given away.

Walsh attended a voluntary interview with police and made no comment. He later pleaded guilty to being the owner/in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

The court heard Walsh has 121 previous convictions, including an identical offence in 2016 when a dog he owned named Otto injured a person trying to stop the dog from attacking his dog, resulting in puncture wounds to his hands and wrists, and a cracked rib.

This was Walsh’s second prosecution in relation to Otto. He was jailed for eight months in 2015 for affray after setting the dog on a former friend.

Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media
Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Welshman Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media
Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Welshman Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media

Walsh was disqualified from owning a dog for five years, and was still banned at the time of the latest offence. He was also on licence for an offence of supplying heroin in 2019, for which he was jailed for 49 months.

In mitigation, Victoria Maud said her client, a roofer, is a “hard working” man and was not present when the dogs escaped from his partner’s house. She said the animals acted “out of character” and said the incident “came out of nowhere”.

When asked by Judge Daniel Williams if Walsh would divulge the location of the dogs, Ms Maud said the defendant believes one of the dogs is being put down and the other dog is living with a friend in “the Valleys” and would be willing to find out the address. The judge said: “He’s had ample time to do that.”

Sentencing, Judge Williams said: “You claimed you were forced to look after the dogs after you were bullied into paying off a debt. The dogs produced a litter and puppies were sold.”

He said aggravating features included the defendant’s previous convictions, the fact there were two dogs, he was on licence and moved the dogs out of reach of the authorities to avoid them being destroyed.

Sentencing | 18 months’ imprisonment. Disqualified from having the custody of a dog for 10 years (expires October 2033).

Wales Online

Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire: Allan Gillies

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CONVICTED (2023) | serial animal abuser Allan Gillies, born 7 October 1981, of Scalloway Park, Fraserburgh AB43 9FB – subjected two dogs to a campaign of “wanton cruelty”.

Serial animal abuser Allan Gillies of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. Picture: Facebook

Gillies, who was previously convicted of animal cruelty in 2017*, was captured on CCTV abusing a French bulldog named Reg and a Rottweiler/Staffy cross called Rex, causing both animals to suffer “extreme fear, pain and mental suffering”.

Allan Gillies terrorised Rex (pictured) and a French bulldog named Reg0-
Allan Gillies terrorised Rex (pictured) and a French bulldog named Reg

Fiscal depute Jane Spark told the court that an SSPCA inspector viewed the CCTV footage on February 21, 2022.

“The accused was seen approaching the white French Bulldog, Reg, while screaming at him and picked it up by the lead in an unacceptable manner,” Ms Spark said.

“He then swung the dog around in the air with force and caused it to strike off the exterior wall of the flat.

“It was noted that the accused was extremely angry at this time and he was seen picking up a table leg from a coffee table in his garden and throwing it, sticking the dog on the back.”

During a separate incident, Gillies was again seen on CCTV screaming at Rex.

He grabbed the dog by the face before lifting him off the ground by his ears.

Gillies then dropped Rex and picked up a piece of rubber, which he struck him with before dragging the dog along the ground and back into his flat.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of causing animals unnecessary suffering.

Serial animal abuser Allan Gillies of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. Picture: Facebook

Sentencing Gillies, Sheriff William Summers told him: “You took part in acts of wanton cruelty towards these animals who were in your care.

“It is clear you accept no responsibility for your actions and it is clear that you have learned nothing from that.

“Given the degree of cruelty, the fact that it involved two animals and your analogous previous conviction I have no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.”

On learning that he would be going to prison, Gillies exclaimed: “I didn’t think I’d get sent to jail for this!”

Sentencing | six months in prison. Deprivation order for Rex and Reg. 10-year ban on owning dogs.

Press & Journal

2017 Conviction

Gillies’ previous animal cruelty conviction related to a Rottweiler named Hunter and a crossbreed called Copper.

Copper and Hunter were also routinely abused by Allan Gillies

In court he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Copper by seizing him by the collar, restricting his breathing.

He also confessed to lifting the dog and throwing him to the ground, and kicking him on the body at a property on Inverurie Road, Bucksburn.

The court also heard about Gillies’ harsh training techniques in regard to Hunter, which included kicking the dog in the genitals if he ran away.

Sentencing was deferred until November 10, 2017 to allow the court to receive more information from the Scottish SPCA on whether Gillies should be allowed to keep Hunter, but the outcome isn’t known.

Press & Journal

animal fighting / baiting, hare coursing, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Liverton, Redcar and Cleveland: Ryan Spence

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CONVICTED (2022) | prolific poacher Ryan Thomas Spence, born c. 1990, of St Cuthberts Walk, Liverton, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS13 4QL – hunted wild mammals with dogs.

Ryan Thomas Spence, a cocaine user with recent convictions for drink and drug driving, became the first offender in North Yorkshire to be given a Criminal Behaviour Order for poaching offences. He was also handed a six-month driving ban and just over £1,000 of fines.

Spence attended private farmland with three dogs in Normanby, near Kirkbymoorside in Ryedale, shortly before 9am on Tuesday February 15, 2022. Witnesses saw one of the dogs chasing a hare on the land and called the police, who attended the location and arrested Spence a short time later. Officers also seized the dogs.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said Spence is a prolific national offender, having previously been convicted of a number of poaching offences in North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Norfolk and Scotland.

The Criminal Behaviour Order served to Spence prevents him from:

  • Trespassing on any land with a dog, firearm, or any item capable of firing a projectile
  • Straying from any highway, bridleway, or public right of way onto any land
  • Driving, or be in, a motor vehicle or mechanically propelled vehicle other than on a publicly maintained road without written permission of the landowner
  • Being part of a group involved in the hunting of any wild mammals with dogs or firearms or any items capable of firing a projectile

Inspector Clive Turner from the rural task force said: “Ryan Spence has caused significant harm to our rural communities over a number of years, and I’m pleased he has now faced the courts and we have been successful in having the Criminal Behaviour Order granted.

“Poaching is a serious offence, it damages local businesses, economies and communities.

“I encourage anyone who sees any suspicious activity in our rural areas to report it to the police. Even if you are not sure whether or not crime is being committed, your information might just be the missing piece of the jigsaw we need to bring offenders like Spence to justice.

“Please dial 101, press 1 and pass information to our control room. If you see a crime being committed, please dial 999.”

Gazette Live

Update | February 2023

North Yorkshire Police reported that Ryan Spence had had his sentence increased at court.

Spence appealed the sentence imposed in September 2022. Happily his audacity was repaid as his driving ban was increased from six months to two years, and will now run from 23 February 2023. His original sentence was upheld.

The CBO remains in place, for five years from September 2022.

Inspector Clive Turner, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “The message is crystal clear – we will respond robustly to any poachers who set foot in North Yorkshire. Poaching is a serious offence which, in addition to being a wildlife crime, causes damage to property and misery in rural communities.

“Anyone thinking of committing these offences in our area can expect hefty fines, lengthy driving bans, the forfeiture of their property and court orders to put a stop to their criminal activity. With the addition of a CBO, a realistic prospect of a prison sentence can be expected for breaching the order.

“I’d like to remind everyone about the importance of calling in any suspected poaching. If it’s a crime in progress, please dial 999 so we can take immediate action – or if you have information about who may be responsible, call us on 101 or report it online via our website.”

North Yorkshire Police

Additional Information

Ryan Spence is originally from Guisborough and retains family links to that area. His previous address was Dorset Road, Guisborough TS14 7EB.

As of April 2022 Spence had amassed 24 convictions for 39 offences,

In August 2017 Spence was convicted of hare coursing alongside Anthony Webster, born c. 1981, of The Pines, Holywell Row, near Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and Stuart Brunt, born 24 December1989, of 103 Copes Way, Chaddesden, Derby DE21 4NS .

Fellow wildlife persecutor Stuart Brunt from Chaddesden, Derby.

For this offence Spence was fined £5,000 and banned from having custody of dogs for five years. Webster was fined £600 and Brunt was fined £1,200, disqualified from keeping dogs for a year and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent: Kyla Martin

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CONVICTED (2022) | serial offender Kyla Martin, born 20 November 1990, and now of 11 Bycars Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent ST6 1BY – left an emaciated lurcher to suffer with multiple skin lesions and an excruciating abscess.

Serial animal abuser Kyla Jade Martin from Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

Persistent animal abuser Martin, who was given a three-year ban in 2017 after leaving a horse to die in a water-logged field, eventually took three-year-old Poppy to the vet after the dog collapsed, and asked that she be euthanised.

Lurcher-whippet cross Poppy was so underweight that a vet who examined her said she had a body condition score of only one out of nine.

Martin, who shares two other dogs with partner Andrew Dutton, told the vet she could not afford for a blood profile to be done and would prefer Poppy to be put down. But the dog was sent to a rehoming centre and is now in a healthy state.

RSPCA prosecutor Jayne Skeates aid the defendant took Poppy to Goldenhill Vets4Pets on January 12, 2022.

Poppy was covered in painful lesions and had a large abscess on her back.

Miss Skeates said: “There were signs of multiple skin lesions and a large abscess on her back. The vet reported she was emaciated and a body score of one out of nine. Her skin was fragile, there were multiple areas of hair loss, including her feet and tail, and evidence of tail biting.

“The vet formed the opinion Poppy was experiencing signs of discomfort because of the abscess. The defendant was upset the dog was in her state. She said she was unable to afford for a blood profile to be taken and would prefer she was euthanised. She signed the dog over for veterinary care so they could continue looking after her.”

Poppy was sent to a rehoming centre and was examined by another vet. He assessed the body score as one out of nine.

Miss Skeates said: “She was bright and alert. The dog was offered a full clinical examination. There was no aggressiveness. There was poor muscle mass, the skin was lacerated and the top of her tail was missing. The bony element of the tail was exposed. There was a large abscess on the back of the spine.

“In his clinical opinion the dog was suffering from experiencing hunger, a lack of protection from danger and a lack of veterinary care. There were no underlying health issues.”

It is thought three-year-old Poppy could have eaten the tip of her tail due to extreme hunger. She has been restored to health in the care of Alsager Animals in Need, however, and will be rehomed.

Martin said Poppy had started to lose weight about a week before going to the vets. She went to skin and bone and started to bite her legs and tail. She had changed her food and the dog had suffered from diarrhea. She said she noticed the sore on her back two weeks before.

Poppy has now put on considerable weight. Her tail was amputated and the wound on her back was treated.

Sentencing | 12-month community order of unpaid work and rehabilitation activity. She was banned from owning or keeping an animal for a further three years (expires July 2025).

Stoke Sentinel
Metro
Stoke Sentinel 14 July 2022

Additional Information

After Poppy was removed from her, Kyla Martin lied to friends that the had been put to sleep because she had cancer. One friend took to social media to post a screenshot of a conversation she had had with Martin.

Kyla Martin runs a nail business.

She lives with Andrew Dutton, born 1 March 1981, of whom one Facebook user wrote that “he sits on his arse drinking and eating and threatening women.”

The pair of them have a baby daughter named Crystal-Grace.

abattoirs / animal slaughter, Birds, cockfighting, farms / smallholdings, Food Production, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Ripon, North Yorkshire: Michael Hawkswell

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CONVICTED (2021) | Michael Andrew Hawkswell, born c. 1975, of Haldgarth, Nunwick, Ripon HG4 5EE – a serial animal abuser with a string of convictions for offences including barbaric illegal slaughter.

Serial animal abuser Michael Andrew Hawkswell from Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK
2021 police mugshot of Michael Hawkswell

Hawkswell’s first known conviction was in or around 2001 when he abandoned a lorry-load of live turkeys on the A1, leaving them to freeze to death. For this offence he was apparently jailed but no details are available.

Two years later, in February 2003, Hawkswell was jailed alongside another man, Isap Lakha of 122 Saville Road, Dewsbury WF12 9LP after the pair were found to be running an illegal slaughter operation at the height of the foot and mouth crisis.

Hawkswell pictured outside court in 2003 along with co-defendant Isap Lakha.

An undercover investigator from the Hillside Animal Sanctuary in East Anglia began investigating the men after a tip-off. Working in conjunction with the RSPCA, the charity obtained secret video footage showing Hawkswell and Lakha killing 10 goats with a blunt knife in a dirty barn in Londonderry, North Yorkshire, causing the animals immense pain and suffering.

RSPCA prosecutor Tony Kelbrick told the court that the video showed the goats were dismembered and butchered “while they appeared to be still alive”.

Still image from horrific video footage which showed Hawkswell and Isap Lakha sawing at animals’ throats with a blunt knife.

He said the animals were being killed in the Halal way but the method used was “inept, clumsy and cruel and caused considerable pain and suffering”.

“It can clearly be seen on the video that a number of cuts were required to sever the arteries and veins and a sawing motion was required as opposed to a clean cut.”

The court heard how the goats were bought at a market in Haswell, Durham, before they were taken to North Yorkshire for slaughter on 14 January 2002.

The hearing was also told how Lakha bought the animal carcasses for about £200 after the slaughter.

He said the meat was to help feed his large extended family which included about 150 people.

However, a 2002 article by now defunct newspaper the Sunday People had already exposed Hawkswell as a “crooked trader” who sold “infected meat to scores of curry shops”. Aside from risking an outbreak of foot and mouth disease and BSE (the human form of mad cow disease), the newspaper described how he made “animals suffer shockingly by letting buyers try their hand at slaughtering in his makeshift abattoir”.

In court, Hawkswell admitted allowing goats he owned to be cruelly ill-treated and also allowing premises to be used as a slaughterhouse without a licence.

His co-defendant, Lakha – a retired slaughterman with 20 years’ experience – pleaded guilty to cruelly ill-treating 10 goats and slaughtering the animals without a licence.

District judge Roy Anderson said the offences were so serious he had no option but to jail the men.

He told the pair the botched operation was “inept, callous, squalid and cruel”.

Hawkswell received a four-month prison sentence while Lakha was jailed for two months. Both were banned from keeping animals for 10 years (ban expired 2013).

Writing about their investigation, Hillside Sanctuary told how Michael Hawkswell had boasted to their covert investigator how he could supply cows, lambs, goats, deer, pigeons and even peacocks. He gloated that most of the animals were stolen from farms late at night.

Hawkswell had also bragged about breeding cockerels for fighting.

Happily, Hillside were able to rescue five nanny goats (pictured) from a horrible death and took them into the care of the sanctuary.

In 2010 Hawkswell was banned from keeping animals for ten years and jailed for six months after livestock was found in squalid conditions. No further details of this conviction are available.

In December 2013 Hawkswell was back in court after repeatedly breaching his animal banning order.

The court heard how trading standards officers visited premises in Thorpe Underwood, between York and Boroughbridge and discovered that Hawkswell had been moving sheep.

Paperwork found in a stolen trailer revealed he had been to a slaughterhouse in Spennymoor.

Hawkswell admitted handling stolen goods and breaching an animal banning order, and was given a suspended prison sentence.

Judge Les Spittle described his actions as “a blatant disregard” for court orders, and also ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Stuart Young, mitigating, said his client had “struggled to do what the courts tell him” adding that he had “shown poor problem-solving techniques.”

Serial animal abuser Michael Andrew Hawkswell from Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK
Hawkswell pictured in 2017

In February 2017 Hawkswell was jailed for six months after breaching a court order to protect animals from him. His latest conviction came after his vehicle was stopped by North Yorkshire Police and found to contain cardboard boxes holding 14 live chickens and a duck. A few months later Hawkswell was stopped again by road traffic police and this time officers found a sheep, two hens, two pigeons and four dead turkeys.

On both occasions Hawkswell was arrested and subsequently charged.

Sergeant Kevin Kelly, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said that Hawkswell was “a danger to animals”.

In May 2021 Hawkswell, still disqualified from keeping or owning animals, was charged with possessing 76 birds and a string of other offences.

They included buying and transporting two goats, possessing seven sheep in his trailer, possessing a duck, unloading poultry from a vehicle into sale pens at Highgate auctions in Rotherham and buying and selling poultry.

In September 2021 Hawkswell was jailed for a total of 32 weeks after pleading guilty to all charges.

The court also disqualified Hawkswell from owning or keeping goats, poultry, birds and sheep for a period of 10 years under the Animal Welfare Act.

Hawkswell was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 16 months.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Mark Atkinson, of North Yorkshire Police’s rural task force, said:

“Michael Hawkswell knew full well that he wasn’t allowed to have anything to do with animals – with a court order in place to protect them from suffering at his hands.

“However, he has repeatedly shown a blatant disregard for that court order, and persistently breached it on a number of occasions.

“Members of the farming community were aware of Hawkswell’s illegal activity, and came forward with crucial information, allowing us to arrest him and put him before the court. I would like to thank everyone who has spoken to the police in relation to Hawkswell’s activities – your assistance has been so vital and helped our team to put the strongest case together.”

North Yorkshire Police said it would now distribute posters highlighting Hawkswell’s banning order at livestock marts and other rural businesses.

Sentencing (September 2021 conviction): 32 weeks in jail. Disqualified from having anything to do with poultry, goats, sheep or birds for ten years (expires September 2031).

York Press

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Warrington, Cheshire: Dean Mannifield

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CONVICTED (2021) | Dean Mannifield (aka Dean Pitts), born c. 1993, originally from Warrington but is of no fixed abode and has links to Colchester, Harlow and Epping in Essex and Rhyl, North Wales – battered a dog during a burglary, causing injuries so severe she had to be put to sleep

Dog killer Dean Mannifield aka Dean Pitts from Warrington, Cheshire
Dog killer: Dean Mannifield’s long criminal record includes a horrific act of violence towards a helpless animal

In July 2017 violent career criminal Mannifield was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. The charges related to a dog that had been beaten so severely she had to be euthanised by a vet.

Dog killer Dean Mannifield aka Dean Pitts from Warrington, Cheshire

Mannifield was also charged with assaulting a couple, threatening three people at the scene and also threatening to cause criminal damage. It is believed that he was convicted on some if not all of the charges including the animal cruelty charge, but there are no newspaper reports to confirm this.

Dog killer Dean Mannifield aka Dean Pitts from Warrington, Cheshire

As of February 2021 and aged just 27 Mannifield had racked up 18 previous convictions for 47 offences with his other crimes including harassment, breach of a restraining order and affray against an ex-partner.

In February 2021, he was back before the courts again after subjecting a young mum to months of sickening domestic violence.

He also admitted breaking into a gun shop in Colchester during which he stole seven hunting shotguns.

Dog killer Dean Mannifield aka Dean Pitts from Warrington, Cheshire

He was jailed for five years and ten months and given an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim. He will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute: Georgina Bretman

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CONVICTED (2019) | Georgina Anne Bretman, born c. 1989, of Glebefield Road, Helensburgh G84 8SZ – injected her own dog with insulin causing the animal to suffer hypoglycaemia, collapse, convulsions and seizures.

Former veterinary nurse Georgina Bretman deliberately poisoned her own dog for attention.
Former veterinary nurse Georgina Bretman deliberately poisoned her own dog for attention.

Attention-seeking veterinary nurse Bretman injected black-and-white cocker spaniel, Florence, with a drug that made the animal collapse and suffer from convulsions and seizures.

The two-year-old pup required immediate veterinary treatment to avoid falling into a coma and dying.

Former veterinary nurse Georgina Bretman deliberately poisoned her own dog for attention.

Bretman was convicted of causing the animal unnecessary suffering by injecting her with insulin.

Although no explanation was offered as to why the vet nurse had harmed her pet, the court was told that she was an “attention-seeker”.

On one occasion her employer, A&E Vets, gave Bretman an evening off – then correctly predicted that, within a few hours, her dog would suddenly become ill and be brought back to the surgery requiring emergency treatment.

Sheriff Joan Kerr found Bretman guilty of a charge under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, of injecting Florence with insulin resulting in her requiring immediate treatment to “avoid coma or death”.

Florence returned to good health in the care of the Scottish SPCA.

Sheriff Kerr said: “Flo was vulnerable and completely dependant on you for her care.

“Your motivation to cause her this suffering may never be known, you have chosen not to shed any light on that when you spoke to a social worker.

“You have expressed no remorse for causing Flo such suffering.”

Former veterinary nurse Georgina Bretman deliberately poisoned her own dog for attention.

It was noted Bretman harmed her own pet in her leisure time, not any animals she worked with and was not banned from working with animals. She was later banned from practising as a veterinary nurse.

Her former employer, Lesley Herd, became suspicious after Florence was brought in for emergency treatment on several separate occasions – always suffering from the same mysterious symptoms.

During Bretman’s trial, Mrs Herd said: “The dog was fine between episodes so I really didn’t know what was going on with the dog at all, we couldn’t understand why she was having these episodes.”

Mrs Herd said that, on one occasion, she took blood samples from Florence to send to the Glasgow University Vet School for testing. Although Bretman volunteered to deliver the samples, they never arrived.

Mrs Herd said: “Initially she didn’t want any bloods taken to the vet school, then agreed it was really the only way forward if we were going to find out what was going on.

“She volunteered to take the blood to the vet school. Later I found out the blood had never arrived at the vet school.”

She told the court: “Because of the pattern of collapse and low blood glucose on each occasion and the fact that the dog was normal between episodes, I was suspicious insulin had been administered to the dog.”

She described Bretman as “quite attention seeking” and added: “I had said to my partner she will find an excuse to come in to the clinic because she’s not happy about having the night off and I said ‘I bet Flo collapses tonight’, and it did happen.”

Former veterinary nurse Georgina Bretman deliberately poisoned her own dog for attention.

Bretman was later suspended and sacked from her job.

Mrs Herd contacted the SSPCA because of her concerns.

In evidence Bretman denied the charge and said she wasn’t responsible and only ever wanted to find out what was wrong with Flo.

It was put to her during her evidence: “It might be suggested you took a dislike to the dog, that’s why you harmed her.”

Bretman said: “Not at all, I put a lot of energy in. She was my companion.”

Defence counsel Craig Findlater handed 18 pages of references to the sheriff for consideration before his client was sentenced.

He told the court she is now unemployed and has moved back to her family home.

Mr Finldater said: “She has grown up with animals around her. She is educated to degree level and gained employment within her chosen profession, that is caring for animals.”

Sentencing: community payback order of 140 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping dogs for two years (expired September 2019).

Daily Record

Update 2019

In May 2019 the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Disciplinary Committee struck Bretman off the register.

The committee found Bretman’s actions in deliberately administering a poisonous substance to Florence, thereby risking her death, to be “very serious and deplorable conduct on the part of a veterinary nurse, a member of a profession specifically entrusted to look after and care for animals”.

It also took into account the fact Florence needed urgent veterinary treatment to avoid death and that Bretman was in a position of trust over Florence as her owner.

Evening Times

Animal Abandonment, Cats

Wisbech, Cambridgeshire: Winston and Angela Amos

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CONVICTED (2018) | Winston J Amos, born 10 November 1973, and Angela Amos, born 7 March 1967, both of Norwich Road, Wisbech PE13 2AT – abandoned their two cats when they moved house

Winston and Angela Amos who left their pets behind when they moved house
Winston and Angela Amos left their pets behind when they moved house

Winston and Angela Amos locked cats Fluffy and Smudge outside their home in Great Ryburgh, north Norfolk, then moved almost 40 miles away to a new property in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

Jonathan Eales, prosecuting, said a neighbour in Great Ryburgh first called the RSPCA when she saw the Amoses take some property on the bus and leave the cats in the kitchen, though they did return days later.

Both cats were infested with ear mites and one was pregnant
Both cats were infested with ear mites and Fluffy (pictured) was pregnant

The RSPCA advised the neighbour to contact them if it happened again.

“Two days later Mr and Mrs Amos left the property and never returned,” said Mr Eales. “This time they turfed the cats outside and abandoned them.

“The cats were hanging round the front of the house.”

The couple were both charged with two counts of failing to meet the welfare needs of a cat or to protect a cat from suffering as a consequence of being left unattended at a property.

Mr Eales said the neighbour had kept the cats fed and watered while they were locked out.

The RSPCA visited the property at least five times between March 20 and 28, 2017, leaving notices on the door before eventually taking the cats into RSPCA care.

The defendants did not attend the court hearing.

Mr Amos admitted the offences in a letter sent to the court. He was sentenced in September 2017.

The case against Mrs Amos was adjourned until November 2017 while efforts were made to contact her. She was ultimately sentenced in January 2018.

Inspector Dean Astilberry tracked the couple down to their new address in Wisbech.

“Each of them admitted they were the owners of the two cats, that they had moved and were in a hurry,” said Mr Eales.

Angela Amos told RSPCA inspector Dean Astillberry that the two cats had ran away but prosecutor Mr Eales said this was untrue.

He added: “Reasonable owners would ensure there was a safe shelter for the cats if they returned home and they would ensure fresh food and water was available.

“Most owners would go back to the house on a regular basis, responsible owners would speak to neighbours and ask for contact if the cats returned.”

One of the cats was pregnant and both were suffering from ear mites and a flea infestation.

“They simply abandoned them, presumably hoping they would survive,” said Mr Eales.

“This type of behaviour, unfortunately, has become quite common, with people thinking just because they live outside they can survive.

“That’s simply unacceptable.”

Abandoned cat Smudg
Abandoned cat Smudge

In his letter to the court, Mr Amos admitted leaving the cats, said he had suffered from depression and anxiety, had been out of work and had tried to kill himself.

The court heard he had previously left three cats at a property after a house swap but collected them when the woman he had swapped houses with threatened to call the RSPCA.

It is understood both cats were rehomed.

Sentencing:
Winston Amos – ordered to pay a total of £560 in fines and costs.
Angela Amos – £400 in fines and costs.
Both were banned from keeping animals for five years (his ban expired September 2022, hers January 2023).

Eastern Daily Press 06/09/2017
Wisbech Standard 10/01/2018

Update November 2021

New address:
Hawthorne Avenue
WISBECH
PE13 3LB

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Grangemouth: Coral and Andrew Elliott

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CONVICTED (2017) | Coral Elliott, born c. 1995, of Fendoch Road, Grangemouth FK3 9HA, and former partner Andrew Elliott, age and current whereabouts unknown – for the horrific neglect of a dog who was “waiting to die”.

Convicted animal abuser Coral Elliott from Grangemouth
Convicted animal abuser Coral Elliott from Grangemouth

Coral and Andrew Elliott were tried separately for their part in the shocking mistreatment of German shepherd King, who was found barely alive at the couple’s then home in Cultenhove Crescent, Grangemouth.

Andrew Elliott was sentenced in June 2017 after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide his dog veterinary treatment and adequate nutrition. He was given a 180-hour community payback order and banned from keeping animals for 20 years.

King suffered appalling mistreatment at the hands of his callous owners Coral and Andrew Elliott

In December 2017 Coral Elliott also pleaded guilty to the cruelty charges but received a ban of just five years. She failed to comply with her community payback order and was given another one in May 2019.

Convicted animal abusers Coral Elliott from Grangemouth and ex partner Andrew Elliott whose whereabouts are currently unknown
Andrew and Coral Elliott

Speaking about the distressing case Scottish SPCA Inspector Nicola Liddel said: “When I first visited the property, King could be seen lying in an emaciated state with thick yellow mucus streaming from his nostrils.

“His eyes were so sunken back into his head that you could hardly see them and they were surrounded by a thick greenish discharge. His demeanour was so low, it looked like he was waiting to die.

“After taking King to the vet it was found that he weighed only 18.6kgs, when a dog of his size should be around 32kgs.

“He was severely emaciated with all his bones visible throughout his coat and muscle wastage around his skull. His coat was stark and horrendously matted due to filth and faecal matter.

“Poor King had a chronic flea infestation and was struggling to breathe due to the severe discharge blocking his nasal passages. Unfortunately, King was put to sleep following veterinary advice.

“King should not have been left to suffer as he did and was housed in entirely unsuitable accommodation which smelt strongly of urine and faeces.”

Scottish SPCA News
Falkirk Herald

Birds, Lifers, Pet Profiteering

Ilford, East London: Pakistani cockfighting gang

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CONVICTED (2017) | Mohammed Asab, born June 1966, of 37 Water Lane, Ilford IG3 9HN; Mohammed Arif, born c. 1974, of 59 Fairfield Road, Ilford IG1 2JL; Akhtar Hussain, born c. 1970, of 4A Greenhill Grove, London E12 6BA; Mehtab Ahmed, born c. 1976, of 8 Celebration Way, London E4 9AF;  Altaf Hussain, born c. 1963, of 30 Parkstone Road, Coventry CV6 7AL

Ring leader of Pakistani cockfighting gang Mohammed Asab of 37 Water Lane, Ilford
Ring leader of Pakistani cockfighting gang Mohammed Asab of 37 Water Lane, Ilford

Mohammed Asab, the ring-leader of a Pakistani cockfighting gang based in Ilford, East London, was found guilty of causing an animal fight to take place, keeping and training an animal for use in connection with an animal fight, and keeping premises for use for an animal fight.

Mohammed Arif, Akhtar Hussain, Mehtab Ahmed and Altaf Hussain were all found guilty of being present at an animal fight involving cockerels.

Mohamed Asab pictured during his court appearance.

Disturbing footage seized by police and produced in court showed bloodied birds being trained by the gang. In the video, shown below,  Asab is seen training and breeding cockerels to fight and even referred to one of his hens as a producer of ‘champions’.

Cockerels armed with sharpened spurs were pitched against one another in an outbuilding where the group had specifically designed a ring compete with seats around the edge and fake grass in the centre.

When police raided the fighting pit they found fresh cockerel blood splattered across white walls and found several distressed birds flapping around inside.

A blood-stained towel was also found and the cockerels were found to have wounds including one deep cut to the neck which someone had attempted to stitch up.

A total of ten cockerels and two hens were seized by police and animal welfare officers during the raid in January 2017.

Sentencing:

Mohammed Asab: given a 22-week suspended sentence and ordered to pay £10,000 for the long-term care of his former cockerels, now forfeited to the RSPCA, and £2,000 in legal costs. He must also pay a £150 victim surcharge, complete 200 hours community service in 12 months, and forfeit his cockfighting paraphernalia. Lifetime bird-keeping ban.

Mohammed Arif, Akhtar Hussain, Mehtab Ahmed and Altaf Hussain were each fined £1,500, plus a £85 victim surcharge, and granted community orders of 200 hours community service to be completed in 12 months.

A 17-year-old was granted conditional discharge and a fine of £180.

Daily Mail
Ilford Recorder