CONVICTED (2017) | Tyler Perkins, born 13 October 1998, of Wherstead Road, Ipswich IP2 – stabbed a hedgehog to death
Twisted Tyler Perkins stabbed a defenceless hedgehog to death
A support worker saw Perkins stab the hedgehog three times in his back garden in the early hours of September 9, 2016.
At 2am Perkins went outside for a cigarette with his support worker but a rustling noise caused by the hedgehog disturbed him.
He went back inside and grabbed something from the kitchen work surface before running into the garden again.
The worker said she then saw Perkins stab the hedgehog once with a knife, before stabbing it twice more with a frenzied action.
He then attempted to throw the hedgehog over his neighbour’s fence.
The teenager, who had been drinking, had become angry with the animal after he saw it going near his bike.
RSPCA inspector Jason Finch, who was called to Perkins’ flat after the attack, said when he saw what had happened he was horrified.
“The hedgehog would have suffered horrendously before it died,” he said.
“Hedgehogs are in decline and acts like this do not help”.
Sentence: 18-month community order with a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement; total £385 costs and charges; banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires January 2027).
CONVICTED (2016) | puppy farmer Morag Jackson, born c. 1962, of Mid Lanrigg, Stonehouse, Larkhall ML9 3PD – kept dozens of terrier dogs in cramped pens and failed to properly feed or clean them
Morag Jackson was banned from keeping dogs for 15 years after the ‘gross’ neglect of those on her puppy farm
Jackson, who is originally from Turriff, Aberdeenshire and has a past conviction for running an ILLEGAL dog breeding operation, was found guilty of four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 between July and September 2015.
Jackson failed to provide the necessary veterinary treatment or adequate nutrition for the 36 breeding dogs and puppies in her care
Following a call from a concerned member of the public about the conditions of the puppies being kept at Jackson’s premises at West Town Farm, Stonehouse, inspectors from the Scottish SPCA attended and found a number of dogs housed in pens between two wooden sheds and a garage. The conditions were cramped, dirty and unhygienic. There was little bedding and a a lack of food and water. Water that was present appeared discoloured and littered with debris.
The only food which the Scottish SPCA saw during their search was a mouldy tub of food teeming with maggots which had been left out for a Yorkshire Terrier and her newborn pups.
During a search of the garage area, a West Highland Terrier type bitch named Abbey was found in a small pink carrier on a shelf.
The carrier was covered with cloth, the carrier had no bedding, food or water and was too small for the dog to even turn around. There was very little light entering the box due to the cloth and rubbish surrounding it. Abbey was underweight with a severe skin disease and almost total hair loss.
A total of 36 dogs were removed from the premises and taken into the care of Scottish SPCA centres across the country.
Most made a full recovery but some required ongoing treatment.
Gary Aitken, Procurator Fiscal, Wildlife and Environment described the case as “one of the worst cases of gross, widespread and indiscriminate neglect which the Crown has dealt with in recent times”.
Mr Aitken added: “These dogs were caused terrible and unnecessary suffering and Jackson failed to provide them with a suitable environment.
“We expect the highest standards of commercial dog breeders and are committed to working with the Scottish SPCA and the police to ensure that those who do not meet these standards are held to account.”
Sentencing: 200 hours of unpaid work, banned from keeping dogs for 15 years; forfeiture of the dogs in her care (ban expires 2031).
In January 2017 police and Scottish SPCA went to Jackson’s home to investigate reports that she was breaching her ban on keeping animals. Although Jackson attempted to obstruct their search and even kicked a police officer in the chest, four dogs were recovered and taken into the care of the SSPCA.
For this latest offence she was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work.
CONVICTED (2012) | Maria Elaine Louden, born 17/07/1964, and husband Andrew Neilson Louden, born 26/06/1963, formerly of Plymouth, but now of 23 Clyne Court, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8JD – starved and neglected two retired greyhounds
Maria and Andrew Louden almost starved their two pets to death while leaving them flea-ridden and covered in painful sores
Andrew and Maria Louden, who at the time were living in Ladywell Place, Plymouth, almost starved their flea-riddled greyhoundsTottie and Pebbles to death and left Tottie’s painful sores untreated.
Former racing greyhound champion, Bubbly Totti, was found emaciated, flea-ridden and covered in sores after being neglected by the Loudens
The pair pleaded guilty to failing to adequately feed the pets and get veterinary attention for Tottie’s sores between September 20 and October 4, 2011.
They also admitted to failing to protect both dogs from pain and suffering in not treating their flea infestations.
The Loudens were banned from keeping animals for life but spared jail due to their poor health.
Presiding magistrate Dennis Gavin told the court the dogs were left ‘malnourished, underweight and flea-ridden’.
He added: ‘Had it not been for your medical conditions, you would be going to prison today.’
RSPCA Inspector Sarah Morris, speaking after the case, said it was the worst case of dog cruelty she had seen in 12 years.
She added: ‘A life ban from keeping animals is a brilliant result. The dogs were in such a terrible, tragic state. This case will stay with me.’
Julian Jefferson, representing the Loudens, had said both his clients were disabled and on benefits and had found it hard to feed the dogs adequately because their payments had been ‘suddenly seized’.
Magistrates heard that both dogs were ‘about to die’ when the Loudens finally took them for treatment.
Andrew Wyatt, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the couple took Tottie to a PDSA animal hospital on October 4, 2011.
Staff said the dog was emaciated, flea-ridden and had sores on his hindquarters.
Pebbles was also examined by a vet and found to be in a similarly poor state and close to death.
Mr Wyatt said Tottie, known as ‘Bubbly Tottie’, had previously won the greyhound St Leger, a famous competition at Wimbledon Stadium, and once changed hands for £50,000.
Both greyhounds made full recoveries and were rehomed.
Sentencing: eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months; four-month curfew; £200 in costs each.Lifetime ban on keeping animals.
Wales Online reported that the Loudens were fined a total of £520 between them after breaching their ban on keeping animals. RSPCA inspectors, acting on a tip-off, found a guinea pig and two hamsters in their home at Clyne Court, Sketty, in March 2017.
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