CONVICTED (2022) | Aidan John Reece Malone, born 16 August 1993, of Owbridge Court, Midland Street, Hull HU1 2RJ – neglected the needs of a young kitten with agonising burns caused when she “fell into a bath of scalding water”.
AJ Malone only received a two-year ban despite leaving his cat in pain with a painful unexplained injury.
Aidan Malone, who goes by the name AJ Malone, admitted failing to take steps that were necessary to ensure that the needs of a cat called Morgana were met on August 2, 2019, by not ensuring she had a suitable environment to live in.
Malone took the eight-week-old kitten named Morgana to the PDSA vets after she suffered burns to her paws and abdomen.
RSPCA Inspector Jilly Dickinson attended the vets following a call about the kitten’s condition. She described how she had suffered extensive burn wounds to her legs, paws and underside.
Inspector Dickinson said: “Morgana was in great discomfort, despite being on pain relief. She could not sit or lie down properly and was crouching in a very uncomfortable, unnatural position.
“Her eyes kept drooping shut as if almost falling asleep but then she was nodding back awake. When being moved or touched, she would squirm and vocalise until she was no longer being touched.
“She was wrapped in a blanket to stabilise her position and, whilst resting her head on the blanket, she seemed to fall asleep.
“However, she appeared to be very tired but unable to find a position which made the pain and discomfort more bearable, despite the medication she was on. It was heartbreaking to see her in such a state.”
Malone told the court that the kitten had got underneath a gap in the bathroom door and had subsequently fallen into the bath which he had left unattended.
The court heard how the vet report stated that: “In my opinion, the needs of Morgana have not been met to the extent required by good practice due to the person responsible for the welfare of this animal failing to provide a suitable environment.”
Malone said he was an inexperienced cat owner and he had taken the cat to the vet on three separate occasions as he was concerned about her condition.
He accepted that he did not take such reasonable steps to provide a suitable environment for Morgana to live by failing to ensure the door to the bathroom was secured enough to avoid Morgana ever entering the bathroom without his knowledge.
He also explained that he had since changed the bathroom door to ensure a similar incident would not happen again.
He originally denied the offence but later changed his plea.
Malone denied two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the cat by failing to ensure reasonable care and supervision and by failing to seek veterinary care to address a scald to her body. Those matters were dismissed.
Morgana was signed over into the care of the RSPCA where she has been receiving treatment. She will now be re-homed.
Sentencing: two-year conditional discharge; £327 in costs and charges. Banned from owning or keeping all animals for two years (expires January 2024).
CONVICTED (2022) | John Fitzgerald, born 1960 and Jackie Glennon, born March 1975, of Malton Street, Halifax HX3 6HS – given a lifetime ban after Fitzgerald battered a cat to death while 18 others were found at their home in a neglected state.
Jackie Glennon, a former hotelier, kept several cats in squalor and failed to treat their ailments. She also turned a blind eye when her partner, John Fitzgerald bludgeoned a dying cat to death.
Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to a total of six animal welfare offences while Glennon admitted three charges.
RSPCA inspectors Kris Walker and Nikki Cheetham attended the couple’s address on April 1, 2021 to investigate a report from a member of the public that Fitzgerald had claimed he had strangled the cat, known as Guinevere. There were also concerns about the health of several other cats kept at the property.
Kris said when he arrived at the property he asked Fitzgerald: “Can you just confirm that you killed Guinevere the cat by snapping her neck on March 31, 2021″ – to which he instantly replied “yes.”
A total of 18 cats were found at the property with various ailments, including flea infestations, skin disease, underweight body conditions and some were suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Kris said: “I noted six cats in the living room, all were scabby and smelled strongly of urine, and five cats on the second floor that were all underweight and scabby.
“On the top floor of the property I noted more female cats who appeared to be in the worst condition. They were all scabby, full of fleas, had hair loss, breathing issues, were snotty and fluey. All of the cats in the house I noted to have health issues, all of the rooms smelled strongly of ammonia and were dirty, the cats were all scratching and had open sores in various areas and varying degrees of hair loss.”
The couple admitted all 18 cats and the dead cat were in their joint care and none were receiving veterinary treatment.
The surviving cats were all signed over into RSPCA care where they were rehabilitated and all have since been rehomed – including one female cat who was heavily pregnant and went on to have six kittens which have also been found forever homes.
Guinevere’s body was found in the bathroom sink. A pathologist report later found she had an obvious tumour which had spread to her lymph nodes and the kidney. It also found that the cat had not been strangled but had died from a blunt force trauma.
The report added: “The tumour is likely to have been rapidly progressive but it would have been a clearly observable mass for a prolonged period before death. The cat will have become progressively weak and required vet evaluation for several months prior to death. The pathologist also comments that is likely to have been very weak at the time of death and also that there was no evidence to confirm that had been strangled. The features suggest that a blunt trauma to the head was the likely cause of death.”
In mitigation for Fitzgerald the court heard he had no previous convictions and he had served his country in the Army and would be deeply ashamed if he received a prison sentence.
The court heard that Glennon was in poor health, was no longer in a relationship with Fitzgerald. She accepted she could have done more.
Sentencing: Fitzgerald – 12 month community order with 280 hours of unpaid work; a total of £495 in costs and charges. Glennon – ordered to pay a total of £420 in costs and charges. Both were given a lifetime ban on keeping any animal.
CONVICTED (2021) | backyard breeder Warren Wesley Jackman, born c. 1981, of Redditch Road, Northfield, Birmingham B38 – arranged for the ears of four puppies to be cropped.
Self-styled hardman Warren Jackman had arranged for four puppies’ ears to be mutilated including Loki (left).
Jackman was caught after pictures of several puppies with cropped ears were uploaded onto an Instagram page.
RSPCA and West Midlands Police officers raided a house connected to the account and found four dogs with their ears cropped.
He admitted arranging for the ears of male and female American bully puppies known as Loki and Hela to be cut by a third party. He had bought the dogs from a breeder.
Cropping, also known as docking, involves the dog’s ears being sliced to make the animal look more fierce and aggressive.
Ear cropping is illegal in England and Wales under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The RSPCA inspector leading the investigation told the court he had found four dogs inside the property, two adult American bullies and two seven-month-old American bullies.
He said: “All the animals appeared to be in good condition. All of them had had their ears cropped, but not recently.”
Warren Wesley Jackman. Picture: Facebook.
The animals were removed from the property and returned to the breeder who has no record of cropping.
In mitigation, the court heard that Jackman blamed ignorance and drug issues for breaking the law and cropping their ears.
Sentencing: four weeks in prison to run concurrent to another prison term for an unrelated charge. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years (expires December 2031).
Jackman was imprisoned for a further 16 weeks and given a LIFETIME ban after further offences relating to ear-cropping. His latest victims were a female bully XL called Mika and two three-month-old puppies called Zushi and Zinos.
RSPCA inspector Vicki Taylor said: “Police attended a flat on another matter and were concerned about the three dogs who had cropped ears. They contacted me and seized the dogs, who came into RSPCA care.
“The puppies’ ears were freshly cropped and had not yet healed; they still had stitches in the wounds. The male pup’s ears were inflamed and sore.
“We interviewed the man who claimed to have bred the puppies before selling them to Jackman and provided us with bills of sale. He told us that Jackman had cropped their ears. When I spoke to Jackman he admitted that he had paid £200 for them to have their ears cropped.”
The dogs were seized by police and will now be rehomed by the RSPCA.
CONVICTED (2019) | Joshua Stephen Pedelty, born 11 November 1988, of 344 Allaway Avenue, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth PO6 4QT – left pregnant mares and a stallion to fend for themselves at a ‘dumping ground’
Horse abuser Joshua Pedelty pleaded not guilty to cruelty charges but was convicted at Portsmouth Magistrates Court and banned from keeping horses for just three years.
A black stallion Friesian named Eli and two bay thoroughbred pregnant mares, Sophia and Duchess, were so under-fed their ribs were clearly visible and their bodies skinny.
Both Eli and Sophia had misshapen and overgrown broken hooves. The mares both gave birth but one foal was stillborn, leaving only foal Zazoo.
Sophia was later put down after an independent vet found she had contracted incurable colic.
All three had been left on land to fly graze on the Causeway, off Sussex Road in Petersfield by notorious horse abuser Joshua Pedelty, who has finally been convicted of neglect following an RSPCA prosecution.
Sadly Joshua Pedelty has reproduced …
Speaking about the prosecution case against Josh Pedelty, RSPCA deputy chief inspector Sandy Barlow, who investigated for the animal welfare charity and worked alongside field officers from World Horse Welfare to rescue the horses, said: ‘Fly-grazing of horses is a big issue, and can lead to welfare problems. Often the land used for fly-grazing is unsuitable for horses.
‘In this instance the area where they had been left had become a dumping ground for horses, and is totally unsuitable.
‘This case is a reminder that owning horses is a huge responsibility and owners have to make sure they can assure the welfare of the animals dependent on them.
‘Keeping horses in good condition and meeting their welfare needs can be difficult if an owner is moving them from place to place in this way without always guaranteeing the appropriate environment, such as suitable grazing, access to water and shelter, so we believe fly-grazing horses often experience welfare problems.’
Eli, Duchess, and Zazoo the foal, have fully recovered and will soon be rehomed.
Sentencing: total of £1,300 fines and costs. Three-year ban on keeping any type of horse (expired February 2022). His ban was suspended for 28 days.
Source: The News (article removed)
Additional information
We understand that Pedelty and his girlfriend Hannah Outen also keep around 20 horses in a run-down yard in Frogmore Lane in Horndean, Waterlooville. The horses are said to be in poor condition with overgrown, cracked hooves.
Pedelty and Outen, who apparently have a less than harmonious relationship are also prolific dog breeders. Again, animal welfare ranks low on their list of priorities and their main concern is always making money. Outen insists she is an animal lover but the above FB post from January 2018 would appear to contradict that.
Pedelty has a scrap metal business:
This is believed to be his vehicle. He is said to be banned from driving but drives.
Update | March 2020:
Tip-off received via PM
Joshua Pedelty aka Stephen is believed to have horses still in Titchfield Hampshire.
Update | April 2022
Pedelty, still of Allaway Avenue, Portsmouth, was given a 16-week custodial sentence suspended for two years after breaching his animal welfare conviction.
He was also convicted of causing suffering to a dog after failing to get appropriate veterinary care in October 2019.
During the same time he was also found guilty for failing to provide a suitable environment for the dogs.
He was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, undertake 22 rehabilitation days and pay a total of £728. Pedelty was banned from keeping two of the dogs.
CONVICTED (2019) | Stan Strelley and wife Heather Strelley, both born c. 1978, of 34 Bron, Gwendraeth, Kidwelly SA17 4HT – failed to meet the needs of 35 ponies and caused them to suffer
Stan and Heather Strelley are well-known on the showing circuit
RSPCA Cymru were shocked to find the ponies with overgrown hooves, cuts and scrapes to their bodies and surrounded by broken glass, brick, metal and old machinery on their land.
Banging noises could be heard at the site – and rescuers soon found a collapsed shed with ponies trying to push their way through the fallen metal roof.
Three distressed ponies inside did not have room to stand up without hitting themselves and they were forced to crouch causing their legs to buckle.
RSPCA Cymru found a collapsed shed with ponies trying to push their way through the fallen metal roof
Conditions at the shed were so bad that the building was bursting at the seams with soiled faeces and had nails protruding from the walls.
Shockingly, the bones of a deceased pony were found on a muck heap nearby.
A further 20 ponies were discovered in a separate building – almost all of which were living in horrific conditions.
Part of the building’s roof was collapsing, and the ponies were living on many feet of faeces.
The building was so dilapidated the ponies were not able to stand up without hitting themselves on the roof
Some three ponies were found to be underweight, six were lame, and a further three were trapped in a collapsed shed.
An investigating RSPCA inspector has said the case amounted to ‘shocking neglect of a large number of animals’.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: ‘I will never forget the sound of hearing a pony trying to bang his way out of a collapsed shed.
‘It was an horrific discovery – with three ponies trapped beneath fallen metal roofing sheets, in conditions so horrendous I was left cold. They were desperate to get out, but had no way out before we arrived.
It was confirmed in court that both individuals kept showing showing ponies – and, indeed, some were found at the site groomed and in far better condition that other ponies.
The judge labelled the overall conditions at the site ‘disgraceful’ and ‘disgusting’.
Twenty-two of the ponies were signed into the care of the RSPCA – with the other 13 remaining at the property, but moved away from the poor environment in which they had been forced to live.
The pair now have 28 days to make arrangements for the ponies still in their care.
Mr Hogben said: ‘This complex investigation found shocking neglect of a large number of animals – with ponies kept in hugely inappropriate conditions; and many left to suffer with serious weight loss or lameness.
‘Remarkably, both individuals were showing ponies – and continued to do so during our investigations.
‘There was a clear priorities problem – with some animals groomed and treated far better; while others were left in appalling conditions. It was one rule for some – and another rule for the others.
‘It is so hard to understand how anyone lets conditions get so bad for their animals.’
Sentencing: Stan Strelley – 16 weeks in jail, suspended for a year; a total of £415 costs and charges; 190 hours of unpaid community work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days
Heather Strelley – 12 weeks in jail, suspended for a year; a total of £415 costs and charges. 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Both were banned from keeping ponies and horses for five years, but may appeal after just one year (ban expires February 2024).
The Strelleys were back in court after ignoring their ban on keeping equines.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben and World Horse Welfare field officer Tony Evans visited the couple at a farm in Trimsaran Road, Kidwelly, on 28 May, 2021, following reports of a lame pony and a breach of ban offence.
A total of 13 section A Welsh ponies were found at the property, along with a further six in a field outside. The majority of those stabled were showing stress-induced behaviours and a bay mare called Maia, who was reluctant to move, was found to be suffering from untreated laminitis.
The couple denied the ponies belonged to them and instead gave inspector Hogben the name of a woman, with two different surnames, who they claimed was the owner. They also told him that Maia had seen a vet six to eight weeks previously.
Mrs Strelley was repeatedly asked for the owner’s contact number, but when it was eventually provided, there was no reply. When the alleged owner eventually spoke to inspector Hogben later that day, she told him that Maia belonged to her and had seen a vet. However, the two veterinary practices, whose names were given to the inspector, said they had never heard of the pony.
A vet visited the farm for the RSPCA later that day and confirmed Maia was lame on all four legs. She added that it was evident the mare was in “uncontrollable pain”, had been suffering unnecessarily for six to eight weeks, and was unlikely to have been seen by a vet or farrier in that time.
The pony was removed that day by police and placed in RSPCA care.
“In this case, I believe much earlier intervention with a veterinarian and a farrier would have prevented ongoing suffering of this mare,” said the vet, in evidence to the court.
“The appearance of the mare’s hooves externally show that she was overdue trimming and this, along with other factors such as breed, stress, diet and increased weight, would have predisposed her to laminitis.
“In my opinion the barn environment was stressful as the majority of the ponies were exhibiting stress-induced behaviours such as cribbing, kicking, snorting and biting. These ponies, including the laminitic mare, were fed ad-lib haylage which, as a source of high starch, is inappropriate for laminitis-prone breeds and a pony currently suffering from the condition.”
Magistrates were told a different woman, whose name was given to inspector Hogben, was not the ponies’ owner. The court heard this woman said Mrs Strelley had been sending her messages, asking her to say the ponies were hers and had offered her money to do so.
The Strelleys continued to deny ownership of all the ponies until 8 June when, via a letter from the solicitor, they admitted they were theirs.
The two animal welfare offences the pair were charged with were causing unnecessary suffering by failing to ensure a pony received appropriate veterinary and/or farrier care as a consequence of lameness, and that they did not take reasonable steps to ensure ponies’ needs were met, in terms of diet and a suitable living environment that minimised stress.
The mitigation given for their actions was that they loved the ponies too much to give them up, and that they couldn’t seek veterinary treatment because it was likely the vet would know they were banned from keeping equines.
Maia has since been rehomed and the remaining ponies are under new ownership.
After the case, inspector Hogben said: “Mr and Mrs Strelley have shown a total disregard for the law and the sentence that was handed out to them when they appeared in court for previous animal welfare offences.
“Unfortunately another pony has now suffered unnecessarily due to Mrs Strelley’s failure to treat a hoof problem that she was fully aware of.
“We are very pleased that Maia made a full recovery after receiving excellent veterinary treatment and rehabilitation by equine professionals.
“We are grateful to our friends at World Horse Welfare, in particular field officer Tony Evans, for their support in this case, which is another example of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.”
Sentencing 10 February 2022: Her – a 12-week and eight-week prison sentence, to run concurrently, suspended for two years for breaching the disqualification order and causing unnecessary suffering respectively. She was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a £128 victim surcharge. Four-month curfew; 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.
Him – eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for breaching his ban, and ordered to pay the same costs and victim surcharge as his wife. He must also undertake 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours of unpaid work.
The couple were given an additional five-year ban.
CONVICTED (2018) | badger baiting ring members David William Lloyd Thomas, born 21/03/1966, of Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3EL, Marc Wynn Morris, born 19/05/1991, of Jones Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3YF, Jordan Alexander Houlston, born 04/08/1993, of Alexandra Road, Llandudno LL30 2DQ* and an unnamed 17-year-old
Convicted badger baiters and dog abusers David Thomas and Jordan Houlston
The four men were convicted following an RSPCA probe into badger baiting and animal fighting at Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, North Wales LL41 3EL.
The undercover investigation into the activities of Houlston and co, which was led by Ian Briggs of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, featured in a May 2018 documentary produced by BBC Wales entitled ‘The Secret World of Badger Baiting’.
The programme also uncovered a scene of horror at Cwm Bowydd farm, which is co-owned by David Thomas, sole master of the Dwyrd hunt .
Animal cruelty on a massive scale was taking place at the farm with dozens of neglected dogs found locked away in brick enclosures with no natural light.
Several dogs were kept in appalling conditions at the farm
Two foxes were found in a cage which had been placed close to a barn in which fox hounds were being kept.
At the farm the RSPCA discovered two foxes in a cage placed near to a barn containing fox hounds The terrified foxes were trapped in a cage which was placed next to kennels containing hunting hounds
A search of Jordan Houlston’s flat found several dogs in external and others living in tiny enclosures inside including in the property’s bathroom.
Investigators discovered animal medication at the flat and a number of books on hunting with dogs and badger baiting.
A total of 31 dogs were taken from Houlston’s flat and the farm to be examined by a vet.
One rescued Patterdale terrier had fresh injuries to her nose, damage to her jaw and a peeling wound on her chin.
The court heard how artificial badger setts were found at the farm along with seven skulls, possibly those of foxes or badgers.
The RSPCA said this fake sett was used to hold a badger
Pipes were used to hold captive animals and dogs were brought to a copse and forced to fight with them.
Video footage showed badger baiting, which has been illegal since 1835.
A badger had been brought to the area in advance and arrangements made for dogs to chase and injure the animal.
The presiding judge Gwyn Jones said: “Fortunately, we didn’t see how the badger was ultimately killed, but it’s quite clear the death would have been slow and no doubt extremely painful.
“That activity would also have had an adverse impact on the dogs.
“This was a deliberate and planned venture to cause suffering to an animal,”
“Mr Thomas and Mr Houlston played a leading role.”
Thomas was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a badger by causing it to fight with dogs.
One of the two terrified foxes saved from a cruel death at David Thomas’s farm
He was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to two foxes by keeping them caged close to dogs, causing the foxes to be terrified, and other animal welfare allegations.
Jordan Houlston was convicted of ill-treating a badger, and unnecessary suffering by causing a badger to fight with dogs at Cwm Bowydd Farm in February 2017.
Jordan Houston is approved by the Master of Foxhounds Association
He was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to four dogs and failing to meet the welfare needs of seven dogs.
Dogs rescued from the farm and Houlston’s flat
Morris pleaded guilty to wilfully injuring a badger, being present at an animal fight and causing unnecessary suffering to a badger by causing it to fight with a dog.
Sentencing: David Thomas – imprisoned for 22 weeks, and placed under close supervision for a 12-month period; costs of £5,000. Disqualified from keeping dogs for eight years.
Houlston – imprisoned for 20 weeks, and also placed under close supervision for a 12-month period; total of £750 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping dogs for eight years.
Morris – 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 150 hours of unpaid work; total of £650 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping dogs for four years.
The unnamed 17-year-old who had pleaded guilty to being present at an animal fight was ordered to pay a total of £220 in costs and banned from keeping dogs for four years.
Jordan Houlston is now reportedly living in Ffordd Gobaith, Mochdre, Colwyn Bay LL28 5BY.
March 2022
Jordan Houlston was back in court after being caught in possession of a lurcher in breach of his disqualification order. Houlston claimed the dog, named Scruffy, belonged to his farmer.
He told the court he had been visiting a farmer to help him catch a squirrel with a trap. His partner, who apparently has irritable bowel syndrome, went to the farmer’s toilet while Houston got the dog out of the boot.
But police turned up and found him alone with the dog – breaching his ban.
Houlston admitted breaching his disqualification under the Animal Welfare Act.
He was given a 12-month community order with a condition to do 140 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 surcharge.
David Thomas and his son Carwyn Lloyd Fazakerley appeared at Llandudno Magistrates Court where they pleaded guilty to multiple animal welfare charges .
Carwyn Fazakerley
It followed an investigation by the League Against Cruel Sports, at Cwm Bowydd Farm in Blaenau Ffestiniog. The charity found dogs were being kept there in awful conditions.
Footage obtained by the charity shows a foxhound being kicked and stamped on, another being chained up for days, some dead foxhounds being incinerated at the farm and a terrier being chained and kept in appalling conditions without water.
Source: League Against Cruel Sports
The investigation by the League Against Cruel Sports led to a raid by North Wales Police (NWP) and the RSPCA in November 2021 and the seizure of 34 dogs, including the entire foxhound pack.
The case was adjourned for sentencing on November 7 at 2pm.
David Thomas who’s also known as Dafydd Thomas or Dei Thomas
Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “These dogs were treated disgustingly by people who should not have been allowed near them in the first place, and shows the blatant disregard those in the hunting community have for animals, whether wildlife or hound.
“Those who abuse animals for ‘sport’ will disgust the public and deserve to face the full weight of the law and go to jail.”
Thomas pleaded guilty to six charges under the Animal Welfare Act. Fazakerley pleaded guilty to a charge that 29 dogs were not kept in a suitable environment.
The RSPCA safely housed all the animals that were seized in the raid.
On Monday 7 November 2022, Snowdonia farmer David William Lloyd Thomas was jailed for 24 weeks after flouting his eight-year ban on keeping dogs.
Thomas, who had 2,000 acres and 2,000 sheep, admitted breaching a previous ban and failing to properly care for 29 dogs and two ferrets. He was also handed a fresh ten-year ban from keeping dogs or ferrets.
Source: League Against Cruel Sports
District judge Gwyn Jones told the hearing Thomas had three times breached a disqualification made in 2018 after a badger-baiting case.
Jones told the defendant: “I am quite satisfied it’s a wilful, deliberate and persistent breach of the order. No doubt you would have hoped with the passage of time people will no longer be concerned with regard to the way in which you deal with animals.”#
Carwyn Lloyd Fazakerley also admitted failing to provide a suitable environment for 29 dogs last November. Fazakerley, who was described by a probation officer as “loyal to his father”, was ordered to do 160 hours unpaid work and pay £600 costs.
He was also banned from owning dogs for ten years.
Deprivation orders were made for the two ferrets and 28 surviving dogs.
Speaking about the case Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “These animals were kept in filthy, disgusting conditions and treated appallingly by Thomas and Fazakerley.
“When we reviewed our investigators’ footage we were shocked and appalled by what we saw – and incredibly concerned for the welfare of other animals we suspected were on the property.
“Unfortunately our fears were realised when the warrant was executed, and we are grateful to North Wales Police and the RSPCA for their work to safeguard these animals.
“We welcome today’s custodial sentence but are incredibly disappointed that as someone who has previously been jailed for animal cruelty that today’s sentence wasn’t far stronger, especially given the new sentencing powers available to the courts.”
Just a few days into his custodial sentence David William Lloyd Thomas was RELEASED from prison following a ruling by an incompetent judge.
Thomas appealed to Mold Crown Court and had his sentence reduced to 13 weeks suspended for a year. He must do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £756 costs. The additional 10-year ban on keeping dogs was lifted.
Appeal Judge Nicola Saffman said the new sentence was “just and proportionate.”
She ordered Thomas’s release from jail because of the impact on his brother running the farm and two children relying on Thomas’s emotional and financial support.
The League Against Cruel Sports, whose video evidence was crucial in securing Thomas’s conviction, reported the devastating news in an email to its followers. They wrote: “Thanks to our work all the animals on his farm are now safe, but this sentence is nowhere near enough to deter those who would do harm to animals. As a repeat offender Thomas should have been banned for LIFE from keeping animals.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that someone previously jailed for animal cruelty that the sentence wasn’t far stronger, especially given the new sentencing powers available to the courts.
“We were instrumental in the new Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act for maximum custodial sentences increasing from six months to five years. Now is the time to push for these sentences to be applied in extreme cases of animal abuse like this”.
CONVICTED (2017) | puppy farmers Louise St John Poulton (aka Phoebe Dobbs), born 6 March 1974, most recently of High Grove, St Albans AL3 5SU, and Sean Kerr (aka Bob Hulk …), born 5 December 1964, of Pastures Farm, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, near Solihull B92 0HH – involved in mass-scale breeding of sick and dying puppies.
Sean Kerr and Louise St John Poulton ran a puppy farm where the dogs weren’t allowed to bark
Poulton pleaded guilty to six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and three offences of failing to meet the needs of a number of dogs.
Her partner in crime and cruelty, Sean Kerr, was found guilty of six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and three offences of failing to meet the needs of a number of dogs.
An RSPCA investigation was launched after heartbroken owners reported buying sick and dying dogs including schnauzers, Westies and pugs from Poulton and Kerr.
RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal said: “Many of [the puppies] had fallen ill within just a few hours and, tragically, some of them died within just a few days.
“Not only did the new owners have to cover hefty vet bills but they also had to deal with the trauma and heartbreak of watching their new puppies die in front of their eyes.”
On 22 December 2015, the RSPCA and police executed a warrant and raided a property in Solihull.
Puppy farmer Louise St John Poulton now of St Albans, Hertfordshire
RSPCA inspectors discovered a number of different breeds at the premises, all living in appalling, filthy conditions
A whiteboard on the wall gave a glimpse into the lives of the dogs on this farm. There were instructions to keep the dogs quiet by squirting water at them, cracking a whip or shouting.
“The dogs were being kept in disgusting conditions and were absolutely terrified,” inspector Boal said.
“Some were being kept locked in rooms inside the house, including a frightened pregnant Shih Tzu who was being kept in a cold downstairs loo. And four dogs – three of which were pregnant – had been locked in an outbuilding in total darkness, there was no light or ventilation whatsoever. In fact, we didn’t even realise they were there until a few hours into our search of the property.
“All of the dogs were petrified. The minute you touched them they froze from fear.”
RSPCA inspectors discovered a number of different breeds at the premises, all living in appalling, filthy conditions
Thirty-seven dogs and puppies were removed and 27 further pups were later born in RSPCA care.
Some of the dogs had injuries and health problems and officers also recovered the body of a dead Shih Tzu puppy wrapped in a plastic carrier bag in the footwell of a van, parked at the farm.
On one of the stables, officers found a whiteboard with instructions for the daily care of the dogs, including: ‘Keep puppies quiet, do not let them bark. Squirt them or use whip to crack in yard.’
RSPCA inspectors found the body of a dead Shih Tzu puppy wrapped in a plastic carrier bag in the footwell of a van
Paperwork found at the house tied the couple to the sales of puppies and 17 mobile phones were removed and analysed which revealed texts from some of the buyers who had contacted the RSPCA.
“The health and welfare of these dogs isn’t important to the sellers who see them just as commodities to be brought and sold,” inspector Boal added.
“The breeding stock are kept in inadequate conditions and used to produce litter after litter with little or no regard for their welfare. And puppies are born with deformities or health problems as a result of poor breeding and don’t get the appropriate care in their formative weeks which means they can have serious health problems or behavioural issues.”
Westie puppies Ben and Max had severe parvovirus and had to be put to sleep.
Most of the dogs rescued from the farm were fostered. Two of the puppies born in RSPCA care were fostered by Tom Mather, who lost his two Westies (Ben and Max, pictured above) to severe parvovirus five days after buying them from Poulton.
Sentencing | Poulton was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was disqualified from keeping dogs for life. She was also ordered to pay £15,000 in costs.
Kerr was given a six-month prison sentence, ordered to pay £30,000 in costs and was disqualified from keeping dogs for life.
Despite her previous conviction, Louise St John Poulton continued to sell puppies illegally. On Monday October 17, 2022, she was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after being found guilty of one offence of conspiracy to commit fraud. She was given a further four months to run consecutively for breaching her previous suspended sentence.
The RSPCA launched an investigation back in 2017 after concerns were raised by families who had bought puppies from her in London and the surrounding area.
Vikki Dawe, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, said: “Poulton and an accomplice worked together to buy in, advertise and sell on puppies which were considered valuable in the market.
“Over a period of between six months to a year, 59 adverts were placed that we’ve been able to connect to the duo. Each advert included an average of seven puppies – so that’s a total of more than 400 dogs.
“Poulton is believed to have defrauded the public out of £300,000 by selling these puppies to them as if they were family-bred, home-grown dogs of specific breeds when, in fact, they were neither.”
The RSPCA spoke to 38 witnesses in the course of their investigation almost all of whom bought puppies from a house in Wimbledon. Police searched the address in July 2017, finding two adult dogs and six puppies – all of different breeds and ages – inside.
In October that same year, more searches were carried out at Poulton’s home in St Albans and two other addresses in Finchley. Phones seized in the raids showed text messages between Poulton and another woman about what breed to falsely advertise puppies as for maximum profit.
Inspector Dawe continued: “We know that Poulton and her accomplice were deliberately misleading the public in order to capitalise on the popularity – and value – of specific breeds by falsely describing puppies as cockerpoos and cavachons.”
“One witness bought two dogs – both sold as cockerpoos – from the same litter. Now they’re fully grown one is a liver-coloured spaniel and the other is a little, white bichon frise-type.
“Some of the puppies they sold were also very sick and were carrying nasty diseases. One of the pups sadly went on to die.
“Although they were telling prospective buyers that they had been homebred – even using a male dog as a fake mum – many of the dogs had in fact been imported to be sold on.”
The following information, which we received via anonymous email in August 2020, is unverified and the information regarding Kerr’s unwillingness to pay his debts must be treated as an allegation:
They both live in Spain now and sell horses and , I believe dogs.
Their address is: Hipica Rancho Alegre Urb. Vista Alegre Camino de los Molares C41 Utrera, Sevilla 41710, Spain +34 635 479 435 sean55kerr@gmail.com
They also have some dealing with the address: Au Pernet 45B Estepona, 29688 Spain.
He is not above claiming that his partner is in hospital in a diabetic coma, if he is asked to provide a payment.
Louise St John Poulton used the name ‘magshappy‘ on the Pets4Homes website. Another of her aliases was Margaret Hanson. Her and Kerr’s other trading address were Link Farm, Wiggonholt, Pulborough RH20 2EL and New Barn, Lickfold Farm, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, RH20 2EL
CONVICTED (2014) | riding school owner Tina Hodge, born December 1966, of 11 Cullimore View, Ruspidge, Cinderford GL14 3HP – failed to meet the welfare needs of two horses.
Tina Hodge with Peter Andre. Forest Trekking featured in a 2013 documentary on the singer’s life.
Hodge, owner of Forest Trekking based at Court Farm, Coleford Road, Bream, Lydney GL15 64S, was ordered to pay more than £1,400 in fines and costs after being found guilty of horse cruelty. She was not banned from owning animals.
She was charged with failing to ensure a dark bay horse named Star received veterinary care for an injury and not providing hoof care for a piebald pony called Lucky. Magistrates found her guilty and fined her £220 and ordered her to pay £1,200 in costs.
Star had an untreated rug sore.
The RSPCA was called in March 2013 and inspector Pippa Hodge found Star with an untreated rug sore.
Three months later, in June 2013, Lucky was found at Forest Trekking with feet curled up into “Aladdin’s slippers”. He had not been exercised and had apparently been in his stable for seven months.
Lucky had not received treatment for badly overgrown hooves – which were described as looking like ’Aladdin’s slippers’. He was reported as having been confined to a stable for seven months, and had not been exercised.
Hodge had previously been advised on caring for horses from the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.
RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith, who investigated Lucky’s case, said: “I am pleased that this case has now been resolved.
“The defendant said that Lucky was difficult to catch and that’s why his hooves were in such an awful state, but we managed to catch and load him onto transport, as well as trim his hooves, quite easily.
“There can be no excuse for someone who keeps horses not to provide them with the most basic care to meet their needs and that includes ensuring they receive veterinary care and farriery when they need it.
“If they can’t cope with this they need to seek help.”
World Horse Welfare field officer Phil Jones said: “This case is sadly typical of the types of cases we deal with.
“We regularly see owners who have more horses than they can cope with meaning that the animals do not get the level of care and attention they need and the situation can escalate into a welfare problem.
“World Horse Welfare would always advise that if horse owners are feeling overwhelmed or need help coping they should get in touch early, ask for help and try to follow the guidance given to ensure that the best option is taken for horse welfare.”
Both Lucky and Star were rehomed following their recovery.
Hodge’s re-application to offer horses for riding at Court Farm was overshadowed by a public campaign against the council granting her a licence – a campaign that began soon after her conviction in April 2014, and which included internet petitions gathering signatories, and a handbill which was distributed around the Forest.
The handbill read: “Horse neglect. Tina Hodge still continues running Forest Trekking from Court Farm, Bream – after conviction (she is) still in ownership of 35 badly kept horses. Stop this suffering. Support our campaign.”
The re-application was for a total of eight, named, horses. The Licensing Committee reported that they had received five emails and two letters asking that Hodge’s licence not be renewed, and one letter in support of the application.
Animal rights campaigners in the area were quick to applaud the decision, with one group, ’Forest of Dean Animal Rights’ releasing the following statement:
“We applaud the decision of the Forest of Dean District Council to deny convicted animal abuser Tina Hodge a licence to run her trekking business.
“Her continued trading was another stain on the Forest of Dean, that she will be no longer allowed to trade is a step in the right direction.”
Update November 2021
Sadly it would appear that the decision not to grant Tina Hodge a Riding Establishment Licence was later reversed and Forest Trekking continues to trade in 2021. There are allegations that Hodge continues to show scant regard for the welfare of the horses in her care with reports of animals being up to their knees and mud and a yearling being found dead. There has also been criticism of the local authority with suggestions that they are turning a blind eye to Hodge’s alleged cruelty.
Update May 2022
Tina Hodge was ordered to pay almost £4,000 in court costs after admitting she endangered the health of nine horses by failing to unwrap their hay bales properly, putting them at risk of swallowing plastic.
Hodge pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on May 11, 2022, to failing to take steps to ensure that the needs of the horses on land opposite Court Farm, Coleford rd, Bream, were met on 5th March 2021
As well as being ordered to pay prosecution costs of £3,900 and a victim services surcharge of £22, Hodge was also given a three-year conditional discharge.
The charge which she admitted was brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and stated that she “did fail properly to remove all plastic wrapping and netting from the hay bales deposited as food requiring the horses to rip the plastic wrapping netting in order to eat, causing a health risk to the horses by ingesting small amounts of plastic.”
Hodge denied two further similar animal welfare charges which were dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence
One of those charges was that she failed to muck out the stables “causing four horses to stand in excessive faecal waste of approximately two feet in height and failed to provide the horses with access to fresh water.”
The other alleged that the needs of three horses were not met “in that the horses were standing in an excessive amount of faeces and wet straw that had not been mucked out for some time, with wet bedding due to large holes in the roof and no visible access to drinking water.”
Hodge had denied all three charges against her but admitted one of them on the scheduled day of trial and the others were then not proceeded with.
The magistrates said her credit for pleading guilty was reduced because of the lateness of plea.
