Tag Archives: ban length not specified

Cats, kitten breeders, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Worst of the Worst

Bexleyheath, South-East London: Amy Byrne and Harry Angell

May 11, 2023 misanthropic 7 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | disgraced ex police officer Amy Louise Byrne, born November 1992, and partner Harry Angell, born c. 1991, of Downbank Avenue, Barnehurst, Bexleyheath DA7 6RT – sold sick and dying kittens in £280k scam.

British Transport Police officer Amy Byrne and her boyfriend Harry Angell sold sick and dying kittens to customers in £280,000 scam — RSPCA officers and police raided the Bexleyheath home of Harry Angell and former police officer Amy Byrne following a string of complaints to Trading Standards about sick and dying kittens they’d sold

Former British Transport Police officer Amy Byrne and boyfriend Harry Angell pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.

The couple bought and bred kittens for sale but when customers received their new pets many found that they were malnourished, ill and covered in their own urine or faeces.

Sales and complaints stretch back as far as 2015 and in court RSPCA prosecutor Hazel Stevens gave six examples where kittens died soon after being purchased.

The couple used at least 33 different fake names in their adverts, including claiming to be from Cat Cuddles Rehoming which is a genuine charity. On another occasion they used the ID of someone who had purchased a cat off them to advertise other kittens.

Byrne lied to buyers that she was a vet and that the kittens had been wormed and microchipped, but health certificates provided turned out to be fake.

One victim told the court that she arranged to buy a male kitten off Byrne and Angell as a surprise for her autistic son who had recently lost his cat.

Her son made a thank you card for Bryne which she accepted as she dropped off the kitten.

After Byrne left the mum realised the kitten was female, emaciated and had diarrhoea stuck in her fur. The kitten died a short time later.

Ms Stevens told the court: “There were human and animal victims in this. Humans were risk of getting these illnesses from the cat. Children who were excited about a new member of the family including one child who made a card to thank Amy Byrne, only to see them die days later.

Another victim of their scam said: “Having recently lost a cat to the road, we were so looking forward to giving a home to a new kitten. We instantly fell in love with Elsa who was so sleepy and cuddly when we got her. For the two precious weeks we had her in our lives, she became part of our family.

“We were just devastated to watch her slowly go downhill, monitoring her eating so little, trying to rid her of the worms she arrived with and taking her to the vet for numerous checks/tests. She spent her last two days in the animal hospital with them trying everything to make her better but she gave up the fight and we began our grieving for little Elsa.”

When owners got back in contact with Byrne and Angell after the sale they were often ignored, Ms Stevens said.

The court heard that on one occasion a distraught buyer and her boyfriend turned up at their house to ask for their money back. Byrne told them to wait outside until Angell arrived on the scene and shouted:

“You bought the kitten from me not Amy, but I am not giving you a f***ing penny.”

As a result of the volume of complaints that Trading Standards, the RSPCA and the police were receiving, a search was carried out at Byrne and Angell’s home on Downbank Avenue in Barnehurst, Bexleyheath on August 26, 2021.

A total of 17 kittens were found on the premises on the day of the search, with a vet assessing that six of them were suffering. Those six cats were confiscated and one died a short time later.

During the search Byrne and Angell tried to dispose of their mobile phones. Angell jumped out of the window and threw his phone in the front garden and while police were chasing him Byrne carried out a factory reset of hers.

Angell’s phone was recovered and revealed hundreds of images of kittens, enquiries about adverts and complaints from people reporting that their kittens were sick.

Messages also revealed that the couple found adverts for cheap kittens online, gave the cats flea treatments and then sold them on.

On one occasion Angell bragged about how he bought two kittens for £75 then sold them on for £600 each the next week.

Analysis carried out by the RSPCA showed that the couple intended to make a gain of £278,870.

During an interview Angell confirmed that the kittens seized had not seen a vet as he does not agree with veterinary practices.

Byrne admitted they breed cats and sell them but said they were not making a profit.

Byrne was a British Transport Police (BTP) officer when these crimes were carried out but was the subject of a misconduct investigation relating to serious drug offences which eventually led to her being fired in January 2023.

A BTP misconduct hearing report said a hydroponics tent, two cannabis plants, bag of cannabis, half smoked joint and pack of cannabis seeds were found at her address.

Sentencing | Angell was jailed for three years and four months, while Byrne was jailed for three years and eight months. The couple were also disqualified from owning pets indefinitely and cannot appeal for at least 10 years.

News Shopper
Daily Mail

Animal Abandonment, rabbits, Small Furries

Keighley, West Yorkshire: Jackie Priestley

March 3, 2023 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2023) | Jackie Priestley, born c 1967, of Haynes Street, Keighley BD21 4PY – for cruelty to two rabbits who died from neglect.

Keighley woman Jackie Priestley failed to care for two rabbits, both of which died as a result of her neglect. — Jackie Priestley failed to care for two rabbits, both of which died as a result of her neglect.

Jackie Priestley was banned from keeping caged animals after two female lop-eared rabbits in her care were described in court as having “clearly suffered prior to their death.”

The RSPCA visited Priestley’s home in November 2021 to investigate a report that rabbits had been abandoned at the property.

RSPCA prosecutor Philip Brown described the visit. He said: “The defendant allowed access to the premises – the property was cluttered.

“The two rabbits were in small animal transport cages in the front room. The inspector was directed into the living room – but the defendant declined to go in.

“The inspector saw the two rabbits. One was sitting up and seemed disinterested in its environment. He concluded that the other rabbit was deceased.

“When asked why she didn’t want to come into the living room the defendant said she didn’t want to see a dead rabbit.

“She didn’t show any concern that a rabbit had passed away.”

The inspector saw a water bottle on its side, with green algae in the few millimetres of water. The cage was covered in rabbit faeces. There was no roughage available, only the remains of some lettuce.

The surviving rabbit was described as being in a “very poor condition” with Mr Brown describing her as “moribund and dehydrated,” severely depressed and suffering bites from another animal.

The rabbit was put down to relieve her suffering.

Mr Brown said: “There is clear evidence these animals suffered prior to their death.”

The court heard that Priestley had claimed the rabbits had been “foisted upon her” and she had no choice but to take them in.

Mr Brown said: “She said she was sick of them and didn’t want them.”

Magistrates were told that the RSPCA had previously visited the home in May 2021, when Priestley had the rabbits. She was given advice and literature about how to look after rabbits. Mr Brown said she could have asked for help or for the rabbits to be removed then.

Mr Rehman, defending Priestley, said the rabbits had been dumped on her doorstep. He said Priestley had numerous health conditions, and “would say she did the best she could.”

He added: “Her actions were well intentioned but incompetent.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days.
Disqualified from keeping any caged animals, rabbits or birds (period unspecified).

Telegraph & Argus

Animal Torture, Cats, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Cheshunt, Hertfordshire: Adam Hasani

May 16, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Adam Ahmed Hasani, born 4 January 1990, of Napier Court, Flamstead End Road, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross EN8 0JD – killed a kitten and “seriously injured” a second.

Kitten Biscuit was badly beaten by her owner but recovered in the RSPCA's care — Kitten Biscuit was badly beaten by her sadistic owner but recovered in the RSPCA’s care Another cat named Simba very sadly died from his injuries

Former airline steward and waiter Hasani inflicted “blunt force trauma” upon two kittens at a property near Stratford, causing multiple injuries that left vets with no choice but to euthanize one.

On June 8 , 2020, Hasani took his tabby kitten “Simba” to Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Pimlico with a suspected broken jaw.

Vets spoke to Hasani about about how the injury had taken place, to which he responded Simba had fallen off some cupboards. The kitten was discharged two days later.

However, one week later, Hasani again contacted Blue Cross as the kitten had sustained another injury, claiming this time he had hit his head on the cooker.

Hasani brought the kitten in later that day, where he was examined by a vet and found with head injuries.

The vet believed the injuries were suspicious, and reported the incident to the RSPCA due to their nature. Simba was later put down down due to the severity of his injuries.

On October 9, a second male kitten belonging to Hasani named “Biscuit” was taken to the same hospital to be treated for injuries.

After being asked what had happened, Hasani said he had been attempting to bath the ginger and white kitten after she had excreted on his bed.

He explained that the kitten had jumped out the bath and he had tried to get her back into the water.

The vet found the kitten had suffered a dislocated sternum and multiple other injuries believed to have been sustained in the same incident.
Again the injuries were reported to the RSPCA.

Hasani was detained and, in interview, said that any injury caused to the kittens was “not done on purpose or maliciously”.

The former airline steward and waiter did, however, accept that he “should have known better”.

Hasani pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

In mitigation, the court heard Hasani had been “emotionally tortured” and this was “not some sadistic infliction of pain”.

However, magistrates said he had carried out “a series of offences against two defenceless animals” and his actions passed the custody threshold.

Sentencing: 16 weeks in prison. Unspecified ban on owning animals.

My London

Additional information

Hasani is now believed to be living at the following address: 63 Alexander Road, Tollington, Islington, London N19 4JN

Cats, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Southend-on-Sea, Essex: Connor Foster

April 21, 2021 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Connor Foster, born c. 2001, of Stanier Close, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2NF – stole a cat and drowned her in the sink for kicks

“Troubled and lonely” teenager Connor Foster found the cat in nearby Ambleside Drive on March 18, 2021, and took her home before killing her. He then put the cat’s body in a bag and hung it over a fence.

After killing the animal, Foster filmed himself pretending to do CPR on the lifeless body.

Prosecuting, Ashley Petchey, summarised a victim impact statement from the owners of the cat.

He said: “The owner and her stepsons are devastated. The cat was owned by her partner who died of cancer and the family was just healing.

“It was the last physical contact with the father and they say to Foster the cat was nothing more than a toy but he was priceless to them.

“When the cat was dead he filmed himself playing with it and doing sarcastic gestures doing CPR saying he had done a good job.”

Mitigating, Christopher Holt, told the court Foster was lonely and a troubled teenager.

He said: “He’s a very troubled young man who committed a very serious matter which leaves a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.”

Sentencing Foster, Elizabeth Hunter, chairman of the magistrates’ bench said: “This is a very nasty offence deliberately causing suffering to this cat.

“We’ve heard the distress caused to this family.

“Clearly you have a lot of problems.”

Sentencing: 12 weeks in prison; £228 in costs and compensation. Unspecified ban on keeping animals.

Gazette News

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Brompton Regis, West Somerset: Derek Wallace

April 13, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Derek Raymond Wallace, born c. 1972, of 4 Haddon View, Brompton Regis, Dulverton TA22 9NW – caught on CCTV viciously attacking a helpless dog

In the short film, Wallace can be seen carrying seven-year-old terrier Darby, before he tips him over in his arms and drops him.

Darby falls, but catches by the neck on his lead before landing on the ground.

Wallace is then partly hidden by parked cars but then is seen to turn Darby, who is now crouching or lying on the ground.

Light from a torch he is holding obscures the image for a few seconds, but then he can be seen to kick Darby twice on the right hand side of his head and neck.

Darby endured a vicious attack at the hands of his owner — Darby recovered and was rehomed

RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the charity, said: “A vet who watched the footage confirmed that the actions of Wallace in the footage had caused Darby to suffer, both by causing pain and potential injury, and also by causing fear and distress.”

In mitigation it was said it was an isolated incident and that Wallace had been drinking alcohol, with which he has issues, at the time of the offence.

Darby was signed over into the RSPCA’s care at the time of the investigation and has since been found a new home.

Sentencing: six-month curfew order; £690 costs and charges. Unspecified ban on keeping animals.

Somerset County Gazette
SomersetLive

Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species

South Moor, County Durham: Claire Hewitt

March 1, 2020 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2020) | Claire Hewitt, born 10 August 1988, of Park Road, South Moor, near Stanley, County Durham DH9 7BN

Single mother-of-five Hewitt was given an order banning her from keeping pets and ordered to pay £150 after she was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering after failing to address a dog’s poor condition between September 2019 and October 2019.

She was also in the dock for failing to take steps to ensure that the needs of a dog and three cats were met.

Northern Echo

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Ipswich, Suffolk: David Woods and Christina Wright

September 21, 2018 misanthropic 21 Comments

CONVICTED (2018) | David Charles Woods, born 05/07/1977, of Burns Road, Ipswich and Christina Marie Wright, born 13/12/1981, of Bonnington Road, Ipswich – allowed Staffies Alena and Scooby to become emaciated and chronically undernourished

Ipswich animal abusers Christina Wright and David Woods — Christina Wright and David Woods

David Woods admitted causing unnecessary suffering by failing to address the condition of his dogs between December 14, 2017 and January 14, 2018.

Woods, who has a history of violence, allegedly threw one of the dogs against a wall when police visited his previous address in Bonnington Road on January 14, 2018 in connection with an assault.

Officers called the RSPCA with concerns for three dogs inside the property shared by Woods and his then partner, Christina Wright.

Wright admitted causing the suffering of a third Staffordshire bull terrier, which she owned, but for which the pair shared responsibility.

Prosecutor Hugh Rowland told the court that Scooby was found locked in a dark, dirty, cramped and cold conservatory.

David Woods’ dog Scooby was severely emaciated when rescued

“There was an evident lack of suitable diet,” added Mr Rowland, who explained the other dog was also severely underweight, with poor teeth, dry and scaly ears, overgrown nails, a coat containing flea dirt, a lump on the chest, three mammary masses and a hernia on the left side.

Scooby has gained weight since being in the care of the RSPCA.

“In the vet’s opinion, they were subject to malnutrition and emaciation, had poor skin and coat, and were chronically undernourished,” he said.

Woods' other dog Alena was also in a very poor condition when rescued. — Woods’ other dog Alena was also in a very poor condition when rescued.

Alena after receiving RSPCA treatment — Happily she too has recovered well in the care of the RSPCA.

Woods, who communicates through sign language, claimed the dogs were fed twice daily, but that both had suffered recent bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea.

He said the lump on one of the dogs “grew quickly” and that the hernia was the result of breeding.

Mark Holt, mitigating, said Woods denied throwing a dog against a wall and claimed to have sought veterinary help.

“His lack of speech and hearing made it difficult,” said Mr Holt.

“Lack of finance meant he could not secure private veterinary care, or through charity, he says.

“He accepts he took his eye off the ball but maintains the dogs were ill in preceding days and weeks. There is no suggestion of deliberate harm.”

Sentencing:
Woods: total of £845 fine and costs; ban on keeping animals (duration unspecified in article).

Wright: conditional discharge; £100 contribution towards costs; disqualified from keeping dogs (duration unspecified in article)

East Anglian Daily Times

Cats, Hoarders, kitten breeders, Pet Profiteering, small animal breeders, Small Furries

Lemington, Newcastle upon Tyne: Sue McVay

July 28, 2018 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2018) | hobby breeder Sue McVay, born c. 1960, of Beanley Avenue, Lemington, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8SP – neglected multiple cats and guinea pigs and kept them in squalor.

Animal hoarder and abuser Sue McVay of Newcastle upon Tyne. Pic: Facebook

McVay was found guilty of causing suffering to animals after failing to attend court in a case brought by the RSPCA.

An RSPCA inspector visited McVay’s address on 3 April 2017 after a report from a concerned member of the public.

Cats and guinea pigs were kept in disgusting conditions by animal hoarder and abuser Sue McVay of Newcastle upon Tyne. Pic: RSPCA

The inspector recalled being met with a horrible smell as she entered the property. Floors were covered in animal faeces and rubbish

The inspector discovered six cats all of whom were underweight and covered in faeces. One of them had an untreated burst abscess.

The inspector then discovered 12 neglected guinea pigs living in filthy cages.

The animals were taken to the vet to be examined during which two of the cats were found to be suffering. One named Ruby appeared to have conjunctivitis as well as an ear disease while another named Saki was underweight and suffering from oral diseases.

The animals are currently recovering in foster homes.

Sentencing | a total of £630 costs and fines and an unspecified ban on keeping animals.

The Chronicle

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

Chester-le-Street, County Durham: Adam McCarthy

November 10, 2017 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2017) | Adam Reid George McCarthy, born 04/01/1989, previously of Ethel Street, Sunderland, and as at late 2019 of Ravensworth Road, Birtley, Chester Le Street DH3 1EE – kicked former partner’s chihuahua to death during a row

Dog killer Adam McCarthy and his tiny victim, Chihuahua Mollie

Adam McCarthy, who has more than 20 convictions for domestic violence, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the tiny chihuahua, named Mollie.

Mollie’s owner told the court how McCarthy – a known drug and alcohol abuser – attacked her and when the dog started barking turned on her as well. He screamed at Molly “you can shut up you fucking little rat” before kicking her into the external wall of the premises and killing her instantly.

District Judge Roger Elsey jailed McCarthy for six months after he admitted common assault and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The judge expressed doubts over McCarthy’s expression of remorse and blasted him for his record of violence against women.

Judge Elsey said: “The pre-sentence report shows 20 domestic violence incidents involving you and as is common with domestic abusers you have problems with alcohol and substance use.

“I have no doubt your brutality towards that dog together with the violence and harm you inflicted on Miss Ing means a custodial sentence can be justified.

“The maximum sentence I can impose is six months and that is the sentence you will serve.”

He also ordered that McCarthy forfeits the two dogs that he already owns, which infuriated the defendant.

Sentencing: Jailed for six months for attacking the dog, and for five months for assaulting his partner – sentences to run concurrently. Banned from owning animals for an unspecified period.

BBC News

UK Animal Cruelty Files