Tag Archives: Ban of less than 5 years

Burbage, Leicestershire: Teresa Hawtin

March 7, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | cat hoarder Teresa Hawtin, born c. 1975, of Duport Road, Burbage, Hinckley LE10 – kept 58 felines in a faeces- and urine-covered flat.

RSPCA prosecution of cat hoarder Teresa Hawtin, from Burbage, Hinckle, Leicestershire. Image: RSPCA.

Two of the 58 cats found at Hawtin’s flat were were dead when the RSPCA entered the property. A third cat was put to sleep after being transferred into the charity’s care.

Hawtin claimed to be a “caring cat lover” who had previously run a cat rescue service.

However, in the preceding six months or so, the number of cats she was looking after had “increased dramatically” due to people asking her to “take in stray cats and cats that had been abandoned”.

RSPCA Inspector Helen Smith said Hawtin’s flat in Shilton Road, in Barwell, Leicester, was “one of the worst properties” she had attended in her 25 years as an inspector. She added the smell of urine and faeces was “overpowering”, with excrement covering “every surface” in the flat except for a small sofa.

Litter trays were overflowing, she said, and there were pools of diarrhoea on the floor. There were also “hundred of flies alive and dead”, the RSPCA said.

All of the remaining cats have since been re-homed, the charity added.

Ms Smith said: “The environment was completely unsuitable, and the smell from the ammonia was overpowering.

“The defendant also claimed she had run a cat rescue, but the conditions these cats were kept in were completely inappropriate for such a large number of cats.

“The RSPCA had tried to help the defendant on a large number of occasions – but she chose to ignore any offers of support.”

Hawtin was well known in her local area for collecting cats

Hawtin pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the needs of the majority of the cats were met, and failing to ensure they had a suitable, hygienic and safe environment. She was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering and of not providing timely and appropriate veterinary treatment for eight of them.

She told the court she had tried her best and felt those eight cats did not need veterinary treatment at the point at which she was looking after them, prior to the RSPCA attending. She added that she realised there were too many to look after and that was the reason she signed them over to the care of the RSPCA.

Sentencing | ordered to pay £100 in costs, a fine of £230 and a victim surcharge of £92. Banned from keeping cats for just two years (expires March 2026).

LeicestershireLive

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Wythenshawe, Manchester: Carlton Chesney-Mitchell

March 3, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Carlton James Chesney-Mitchell, born 13 September 2002, of Greenbrow Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 2FT – caught on CCTV beating his dog.

RSPCA prosecution of violent dog abuser Carlton Chesney-Mitchell from Wythenshawe, Manchester

Vicious Carlton Chesney-Mitchell was convicted of animal cruelty in relation to a Belgian Malinois called Anne by inflicting physical abuse on her.

The RSPCA were alerted to footage of the incident which had been posted on Facebook. It showed a man kicking and throwing a medium-sized brown dog in June last year.

The video shows a male in dark trousers, a blue hoodie and a black balaclava cycling towards an open garden from a field. He then throws the bike down and can be heard shouting “come here”. A dog comes into the footage before it is kicked in the face. The man then entices the dog back and kicks her again.

The man, later identified to be Chesney-Mitchell, is then heard saying: “Stop pissing me off and fucking running off, stop it” before striking Annie twice with his right hand and grabbing her by the neck with both hands and throwing her in the air. Annie can then be seen spun in mid-air before landing on her feet and running out onto the field. The male can be heard stating “Fucking piece of shit”, as he mounts his bicycle and cycles off.

Inspector Deborah Beats, who investigated, said Annie thankfully wasn’t physically injured:

Deborah said: “I reached out to those on social media who had information on this video and after a false start, I was able to speak to a member of the public who informed me the dog and the owner were at their house.

“I met Chesney-Mitchell at the member of the public’s address along with his two year old Belgian Malinois Annie. After interviewing the owner, I took Annie to be checked over by a vet where thankfully it was found that she didn’t have any injuries.”

Original post with video shared to Facebook by a concerned resident

The court heard how a vet report stated that Annie was very nervous on examination. It found that Annie would have suffered physically momentarily during the kicking, throwing and hitting episodes captured in the footage, however, the emotional impact may have a life-long effect.

The report continued: “This is shown with Annie’s fear behaviours such as cowering away from the person in the video before the second kick and cowering when her head was approached for examination. These fear behaviours along with being constantly shouted at would have caused her mental suffering.

“It is likely Annie will have been in pain for several days after this incident and will have suffered at the very least mild soft tissue injuries. This will have caused discomfort when trying to walk and display normal behaviours such as playing.

“In the video presented I can identify that the person of interest inflicts harm on Annie on at least five occasions in the form of kicking, hitting and throwing.

“They caused unnecessary suffering on multiple accounts by inflicting pain on Annie. There was no reasonable explanation for the outbursts on her visible within the video footage, as Annie was not inflicting harm on the person in question or anyone else.”

A deprivation order was imposed for Annie meaning she can now be rehomed by the RSPCA.

Deborah added: “This was a shocking and completely unnecessary attack on this poor dog. I’m glad this case has concluded and Annie can now find the loving forever home she deserves.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work; £200 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. TWO-year ban on keeping dogs (expires March 2026).

Manchester Evening News
ITV News

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, guinea pigs, Small Furries

Abergele, North Wales: Rebecca Hopkins

March 2, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Rebecca Hopkins, born c. 1995, currently of Marine Road, Pensarn, Abergele LL22 7PS – left multiple pets without food and water.

Hopkins was sentenced to 10 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, in September 2023, and was disqualified from owning or keeping pets for five years. However, following an appeal hearing on March 1, 2024, the suspended sentence was revoked and her ban on keeping animals reduced to just three years. Presiding judge Timothy Petts said the original five-year disqualification was “too long” and three years was “more realistic”.

Hopkins admitted charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing in her duty of care to ensure an animal’s welfare.

Useless: Welsh magistrate Timothy Pets — Idiot magistrate Tim Petts said the five-year disqualification order imposed on a chaotic woman that abandoned her pets was “too long” with three years being “more realistic”

Barrister Ember-Jade Wong told the court that, on March 30, 2023, officers twice attended Hopkins’ then-address on Bryn Trewan, Caergeiliog, Anglesey, regarding an unrelated matter.

They received no response, but on the second occasion, looked into the property through a gap in blinds to see faeces “all over the floor”.

Officers could also see two dogs without food or water inside the property. When an officer looked through the letter box, one dog was “yelping” and trying to jump over a baby gate.

The next day, officers returned, and the dogs were still in the kitchen, while there was “more faeces than previously”.

Hopkins was also caring for two rats and guinea pigs each at the time; both were said to be within their cages but without food or water.

She was found “sleeping rough” in Colwyn Bay, telling officers she did not intend to return to her Anglesey property due to issues with mould.

On April 15, 2023, officers broke in to the Anglesey property, and were said to have been “overcome with the smell of faeces and urine”.

The dogs were “dishevelled”, and none of the six animals appeared to have any access to food or water.

Following further inspections, the guinea pigs were found to have no fresh bedding, and the acidity of the urine in their cage may have caused burns on their legs.

Of the two rats, one had identifiable breathing issues, and another was underweight.

Neighbours said they “heard dogs barking constantly”, meanwhile.

Hopkins relinquished care of all of the animals save for one of the dogs, but lost her right to also keep this pet after she was convicted.

Representing Hopkins, who had three previous convictions for five offences, Richard Edwards said she moved to Colwyn Bay to be with her partner at the time, understood to be called Lewis Ford.

He was no longer allowed to reside at her address after being convicted of assaulting her, but his Colwyn Bay address prohibited the keeping of animals.

Hopkins wanted to appeal the sentence in respect of her disqualification from keeping animals, as pets were said to bring her some comfort after losing custody of her children.

Judge Timothy Petts, presiding over the appeal with magistrates, removed the suspended jail term, but said a ban on keeping pets would have to stay in place, albeit reduced to a mere three years.

“We realise that is a great source of distress for her,” Judge Petts added.

Sentencing | three-year ban (expires March 2027).

North Wales Pioneer

Equine Abuse, horse traders, horses and ponies, Traveller Animal Crimes

West Cornforth, County Durham: George Watson

February 26, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | George Robert Watson, born 26 September 1972, of 17 Cedar Terrace, West Cornforth, Ferryhill DL17 9NG – left a stallion in pain with a deep head wound.

Horse abuse. RSPCA prosecution of George Robert Watson, a traveller from West Cornforth, County Durham. Image: Robert Watson/Facebook

Watson, a traveller who generally goes by the name Robert Watson, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a horse known as Delboy.

The animal was found with a headcollar so tightly fitted to his head that the metal clip had dug into his skin – causing a painful wound.

An RSPCA Inspector attended a field close to the A1 near Bishop Middleham, Ferryhill on 5 May 2023, after concerns were raised to the charity about the welfare of a horse.

Horse abuse. RSPCA prosecution of George Robert Watson, a traveller from West Cornforth, County Durham. Image: RSPCA

The Inspector found a tethered piebald stallion cob horse, but immediately noticed the horse’s tight head collar buckle embedded around the left side of his face and jaw area.

The inspector said in a witness statement: “The clip on the left hand side of Delboy’s face had dug into the side of his cheek and caused a deep gash which was oozing puss.

“The whole left hand side of the pony’s face was extremely swollen, it was noticeable from a distance away.”

A specialist equine vet was called and after examining Delboy certified that he was suffering.

Durham Police placed him into the care of the RSPCA, where he was transported for veterinary treatment.

In their witness statement, the veterinary surgeon stated: “The soft tissues around the wound were swollen and tender, and the wound where the clip was embedded was painful and the horse did react to me removing the clip.

“These wounds could have been easily prevented by the owner not allowing such a tight headcollar – I believe it had most likely been in place for several weeks as a minimum.”

They added: “By failing to identify a tight headcollar which therefore caused painful wounds to the face, and by also failing to identify wounds that were present and immediately removing the headcollar and seeking veterinary attention to provide first aid and pain relief as a minimum, it is my professional opinion that this owner has caused unnecessary pain and suffering to this horse.”

Watson signed Delboy over to the care of the RSPCA. He has since been cared for at an RSPCA establishment and has recovered well. When he is ready, the team will look to find him a loving new home.

In mitigation given for Watson, it was heard that a relationship break up and a foot injury were factors.

The investigating RSPCA Inspector said after sentencing: “I’m pleased we were able to get Delboy to safety and have his wounds treated.

“It’s so important that horse owners regularly check on their animals for signs of discomfort or poor health, especially when they are left wearing head collars or rugs for any length of time.

“I’m so pleased that Delboy has made such a good recovery from his wounds, and that he will now go on to be adopted into a loving new home.”

Sentencing | ordered to pay a £300 fine, a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £725. Disqualified from owning horses for three years (expires February 2027).

ChronicleLive
Northern Echo

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

Hackney, London: Simon Thomas

February 11, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Simon Thomas, born 29 August 1982, of 1 Pembury Place, Hackney, London E5 8LX – caught on camera repeatedly beating an XL Bully with a shovel.

Prosecution of violent dog abuser Simon Thomas from Hackney, London.

Horrific footage captured by a resident on Wednesday 8 November 2023 showed a man, later identified as Simon Thomas, repeatedly striking the young dog in the head with a large tool in a rear garden at a block of flats.

Volunteers from XL Bully Rescue and Foundation went to the animal’s aid. They were joined at the scene by police officers.

The dog, whom rescuers named Zeus, was taken by police to an animal hospital where he was treated for severe head injuries, bleed to the brain, smashed teeth and fractured ribs.

Thomas later handed himself into into a police station and was ultimately charged with animal cruelty.

Zeus, seemingly good-natured despite his ordeal, was initially held in police kennels pending their investigation, but was ultimately put to sleep because of his breed.

In court Thomas pleaded not guilty, with his defence being based on claims that he was not identifiable in the video footage. He was convicted after a short trial, however.

His sentencing hearing was on 2 February 2024.

Despite public outrage over the sadistic cruelty inflicted on a helpless animal and a Lady Freethinker petition urging the British justice system to impose an appropriate sentence on Thomashe walked free with his sole punishment a contribution towards costs and a ONE-year ban on keeping dogs.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “After a viral video of a man beating a dog, Ace, with a shovel, Status Dogs Unit officers arrested and charged a male. He was remanded and pleaded not guilty.

“At trial the charge was altered to a Section 4 (2) person responsible for allowing suffering, as he claimed it wasn’t him hitting the dog. He admitted that the dog was his.”

Speaking about the case animal rescue volunteers said that the brutal attack on Zeus was one of the worst things they’d ever witnessed.

The group said that the abandonment and abuse of XL Bullies had skyrocketed off the back of the UK Government’s banning of the breed, which was announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in September 2023.

One volunteer said: “Because [XL Bullies] are on the banned list, people are getting rid of them and this is where they’re ending up. There are loads more like him out there.”

The group said the government’s pledge to ban the breed had immediately sparked a rise in the dogs being abandoned and abused, with some owners threatened they will be evicted if they do not get rid of their dogs.

They said that many had been given away for free leading to them ending up in the hands of “the wrong people”.

One volunteer, who said rescues like theirs were overwhelmed, broke into tears as she described some of the cases they had been dealing with. She said: “We seized one from police last Monday that had been chained up outside and beaten.

“Yesterday we had two cases where they were thrown out of a car and abandoned.”

Sadly it is growing increasingly difficult to find safe places for the dogs.

“We are full,” the rescuer said. “No kennels are taking them now. Where do these animals go?

“There are hundreds and hundreds of XL Bullies suffering, and being put to sleep, and being abandoned.

“If something does not happen now, we are going to be seeing much, much more of this. This is absolute animal brutality.”

On the rise in attacks by the breed, she said: “It is not the dogs, it is the owners.

“These are dogs that are being beaten, severely abused, and when we take them after two days they are a completely different dog.

“They show no aggression, they don’t want to harm anybody, they just want you to love them.”

Sentencing | contribution towards costs. 12-month ban on keeping dogs (expires February 2025).

The Standard
Daily Mail
The Sun

Dogs, Traveller Animal Crimes

Tong, City of Bradford: Diana Kierpacz

January 22, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Diana Kierpacz, born 9 November 1997, of Kennerleigh Walk, Tong, Bradford BD4 0NS – kept an emaciated dog tied up in a rubbish-strewn yard.

2011 social media image of Bradford animal abuser Diana Kierpacz

The two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, known as Brenda, was so emaciated her ribs, spine and hip bones were visible. She appeared timid and nervous.

Staffy Brenda was severely neglected by Bradford animal abuser Diana Kierpacz — Brenda

The dog, who had given birth seven weeks earlier, was found tied up in a faeces and rubbish filled yard with no access to food, water or shelter.

She also had a painful long-standing eye condition and was severely underweight, with a vet giving her a body condition score of just one out of nine

Diana Kierpacz, a Roma gypsy originating from Poland, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Brenda and failing to meet her needs following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby had visited the house to investigate a report of concern over the welfare of a dog kept there.

In written evidence, Inspector Hodby said: “The dog looked to have recently given birth but there were no signs of the puppies. She had no access to water, shelter or food and her eyes were sunken into her head.

“All of the dog’s ribs were visible as well as her spine and hip bones.

“The dog was tethered to a fence using an extendable lead. The lead was tied to a piece of rope which was then attached to the dog’s collar. She was able to walk around but I was concerned she could injure herself as the tether was inappropriate.”

The court heard Kierpacz then appeared at the property and told inspector Hodby that Brenda was only outside for short periods and had access to water, despite none being present.

Kierpacz was told that Brenda’s living conditions were unacceptable and she was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

She was examined by a vet who told the court in written evidence that the main concerns were her chronic entropion (eye condition ) and her thin body condition.

The vet said: “The most likely cause of this thin state was the increased nutritional demands of pregnancy followed by lactation which in particular is very energy demanding, requiring the animal to consume approximately three times the amount of calories and other nutrients than normal.

“In addition, the choke chain collar and height from which the dog was tethered gave a high risk of injury by choking or strangling if she tried to get away, was fleeing danger or chasing something.”

When asked about the circumstances in which her dog was found, Kierpacz said she had left Brenda there for one hour while she went shopping and she’d been tethered outside so she could “enjoy the weather.”

She said she didn’t feel the way the dog was found tied up compromised her health or welfare and claimed that water had been provided which Brenda must have drunk.

She said she’d been aware of the entropion but had not re-presented her pet for veterinary treatment for 18 months.

Kierpacz said she was not a breeder and Brenda had mated accidentally with a friend’s dog.

Brenda had surgery for her long-standing eye condition and was also neutered. She has since been re-homed.

Other dogs owned by Kierpacz will also now be rehomed.

Magistrates said Brenda had been found in a “very neglected and emaciated state and there was clear evidence that this offending has gone on for a long time”.

Despite this, they only gave Kierpacz a one-year ban. This seems to have been her sole punishment.

ITV News
Telegraph & Argus
RSPCA News

Dogs, hunting with dogs

Winsford, Cheshire: Karl Jenkins

January 21, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Karl W Jenkins, born c. 1975, of Regents Way, Winsford CW7 2YQ – left a dog to suffer instead of taking him to a vet.

Animal abuser Karl Jenkins from Winsford, Cheshire. Image: Facebook.

Welshman Jenkins was banned from owning dogs for just one year after causing suffering to a bull lurcher named Buddy, who is believed to have suffered an unexplained lip injury.

Karl Jenkins' abused dog, Buddy — Karl Jenkins’ abused dog, Buddy, whom is thought to have recovered after being removed from him

While the precise details of Buddy’s condition has not yet been disclosed by the mainstream media, there is evidence on social media that Jenkins and his teenage son (whom we can’t yet name due to his age) like to indulge in the persecution of wild animals for fun.

Taking into account his breed, it is possible that Buddy was injured after being forced to fight foxes or badgers but this must be treated as pure speculation at this stage.

We are advised by relatives of Karl Jenkins that Buddy recovered but this is unconfirmed.

In court, Jenkins admitted failing to act on October 16, 2022, when he didn’t take the poorly dog to see a vet for treatment, causing him to suffer.

Sentencing | 120 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within 12 months. Court costs of £120 and £114 victim surcharge. Disqualified from owning and keeping dogs, as well has being able to control or influence how they are kept, for 12 months (expires January 2025)

Northwich & Winsford Guardian

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Weaverham, Cheshire: Liam Talbot

January 15, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Liam Talbot, born 1996, of 28 Rowan Road, Weaverham, Northwich CW8 3DU – forced dogs to fight foxes and badgers to the death.

Wildlife killer Liam Talbot from Weaverham, Cheshire, UK. Pictures: Facebook

Talbot pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

He admitted making dogs fights with foxes and badgers, causing three dogs to fight with wild animals and taking and killing a badger.

Images produced in the prosecution against wildlife killer Liam Talbot

He also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a bull lurcher cross-type dog named Cid by failing to provide vet care and attention for an injury to his upper left canine tooth.

The animal fights were uncovered through Talbot’s social media posts, with Talbot uploading compilation videos of images to TikTok.

These videos were found as a result of investigations by The Naturewatch Foundation and were subsequently passed across to the police and RSPCA.

One video showed images of a person with a lamp at their waist, holding a black and white Lurcher-type dog by the collar with his left hand and a fox in his right hand.

The compilation video also shows images of a person holding up a fox whilst with a black and white Lurcher-type dog; while another person is shown holding a Lurcher-type dog on a lead in his right hand and a fox in his left hand. The fox has an injury to its hindquarters.

Another TikTok compilation videos show three dogs attacking a fox, two dogs attacking a badger, and other images of foxes and dogs.

A police warrant took place at Wolvesley Place in Winsford on February 22, 2023, during which two dogs belonging to Talbot were found.

Pepper, a nine-year-old female tan bull lurcher and Cid a nine-year-old male black bull lurcher, both had scarring to their faces and chests and were present in the digital evidence presented to the court.

A written statement from an expert veterinary surgeon said they had examined several videos that showed a ‘number of dogs in circumstances suggestive of those dogs being used for the purpose of hunting wild mammals’.

In his conclusions, he said Cid would have suffered as a consequence of an injury to the left upper canine tooth.

He said: “Once removed the tooth was described as being rotten, suggesting a timescale of at least 10 days, probably longer.”

After viewing video footage he said that both Pepper and Cid were “repeatedly placed in circumstances that exposed them to injury by fighting with wild mammals such as a fox and/or badger.

He added: “The skin scars found to be present on both of these dogs are consistent with injury via such a mechanism.”

Talbot pleaded guilty to:

Sec 4 Animal Welfare Act, Causing Unnecessary Suffering, for Sid (Dog) (Tooth)
Sec 8 Animal Welfare Act, animal fight (dogs/badgers and dogs/foxes)
Sec 9 Animal Welfare Act for three dogs causing them to fight with wild animals)
Protection Of Badgers Act Sec1 and 2 for taking and killing a badger.

Pepper and Cid were officially handed over to the RSPCA and will now be rehomed.

Speaking about the case, Chief inspector Ian Muttit, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), said: “Badger baiting has been illegal for more than 180 years, yet we still find people spending their time inflicting sickening pain, suffering and misery on animals in this way.

“It is also horrifying to see that perpetrators are then creating videos glorifying attacks on wildlife and flagrantly posting them on social media for others to view.

“We will continue to stand up for animals involved in wildlife persecution and for the dogs often caught up in these horrifying attacks.

“We would very much like to thank The Naturewatch Foundation for their initial investigations and also Cheshire Police.”

Sentencing | 16-week custodial, suspended for 18 months; community order with 25 hours of rehabilitation; six-month mental health treatment requirement; £500 costs, £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all animals for three years (expires January 2027).

Cheshire Constabulary
Northwich Guardian

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

Torrington, Devon: Diana Curtis

January 8, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis, born c. 1958, of Peters Marland, Torrington EX38 8QD – neglected dozens of animals in her care.

Serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

Curtis, a notorious animal hoarder well-known to the RSPCA and courts, was given a suspended custodial sentence and laughable five-year ban after horses, dogs, chickens, ducks and a goat were found in squalor at her home.

Animals abused and neglected by serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

RSPCA inspectors were joined by police, vets, staff from the Dog’s Trust and officers from Torridge District Council, at the address in July 2022. They found a number of animals, some left without food, water or the vet care they needed.

A stallion, named Mid Morning Monkey, was found with an eye ulcer; checks with vets showed he’d been left with no treatment. Two other horses, named Symphonies Secret and Summer’s Place Jessica, were both found to have untreated dental disease.

Summer’s Place Jessica also had deformed legs and swollen knees. She had an uneven gait and was regularly seen tripping – particularly on her right fore leg. A vet later diagnosed chronic arthritis which had been left untreated.

The stables, which also housed a female goat alongside horses, were dirty with faeces and soiled straw. There was no clean bedding and no hay, food or water available.

Poultry, which was found standing in pens thick with faeces and soiled bedding with dirty water and no food, were also found to have untreated scaly leg. Inside the address, rescuers found more unsuitable living conditions for animals.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Suzy Hannaby said: “The property was filthy and appeared to have been used as a dog kennel rather than for human habitation, the floors were bare and the only furniture present was for storage.

“There were no chairs or human beds. There was a strong smell of ammonia in the downstairs of the property. There were dog faeces and soiled straw and shavings on the floor, pieces of wooden board, dirty dog beds and two empty crates. There was no food or water available.”

Following an RSPCA prosecution Curtis was convicted of eight offences, some after trial.

Sentencing | 16-week custodial, suspended for 12 months; £10,000 towards costs plus £154 victim surcharge. FIVE-year ban (expires December 2028).

DevonLive

In October 2010 Curtis was given an ASBO due to excessive noise from 100 dogs kept at her property. She pleaded guilty to a noise abatement offence. She was also fined £2,000.

Police officers and animal welfare officers were forced to remove all but six of the dogs from Curtis after she failed to adhere to a court order to do so.

Following Curtis’s conviction, Devon & Cornwall Police Inspector Andy Lilburn said there was “no suggestion of cruelty here whatsoever”, adding that the dogs were “healthy, well-cared for, fed and watered”.

Curtis said she intended appealing the decision but said that “most of the dogs will have been destroyed by the time I raise the money”.

Following the appeal hearing in November 2010, she was ultimately given permission to keep 14 animals.

In December 2011 a further 34 dogs as well as 14 horses were seized from Curtis. After pleading guilty to breaching her ASBO, she was told she could only have a maximum of six dogs.

The RSPCA said at the time they were considering if any animal welfare offences had been committed and whether to prosecute.

In June 2013 Curtis was given a community sentence of 240 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £27,000 in court costs after keeping 33 horses and 34 dogs in appalling conditions.

Officials from the RSPCA found the premises to be covered in faeces and littered with hazards.

The court heard there was no outside grazing available and virtually no food and animals had to eat part of a stinging nettle bush.

Prosecutor Iain O’Donnell said: ‘Thirty-four dogs were removed from the premises. Photographs show the disgusting conditions in which they were living.’

Curtis was only banned from keeping horses and for a mere 12 months.

Daily Mail

Dogs

Lydd-on-Sea, Kent: Jason and Toni Woodford

November 28, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) Jason Woodford, born c. 1980, and Toni Woodford, née Toni Rabson, born 3 May 1985, of Lade Fort Crescent, Lydd-on-Sea, Romney Marsh, Kent TN29 9YF – left their dog with a maggot-infested nose injury that was so severe he had to be put down.

Animal abusers Jason Woodford and Toni Woodford from Lydd-on-Sea, Romney Marsh, Kent.

The Woodfords, who pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering, told RSPCA inspectors they did not know how their Yorkshire terrier, Samson or Sammy for short, suffered the wound and claimed not to have noticed the maggots.

Little Samson was left to suffer by Jason Woodford and Toni Woodford from Lydd-on-Sea, Romney Marsh, Kent. — Little Samson was put to sleep due to the severity of his condition

But the court heard the injury was probably caused by a muzzle being left on too long and too tightly, or something had been tied around the little dog’s nose.

Magistrates were also told the pair had another dog – a pug called Bobby – who will now be removed from them and taken into the RSPCA’s care.

Bobby the pug was seized from animal abusers Jason Woodford and Toni Woodford from Lydd-on-Sea, Romney Marsh, Kent. — Bobby the pug, who had a cancerous growth on his lip, was seized by the RSPCA

The court heard that by the couple deliberately delayed in getting treatment for Samson. When they finally took him to a vet, his condition had deteriorated to a point where he couldn’t be saved.

Sophie Read, prosecuting, said: “An [RSPCA] inspector went to their home a couple of days after the vet visit and Mr Woodford told them the dog had been missing for nine days and had come back in that state.

“There was another dog at their home and a grey parrot in a cage and the inspector noticed the cage was dirty.

“The other dog, a pug, also had a cancerous growth on its lip.”

Mrs Read said RSPCA inspectors continued to investigate how Samson came by his injury. The couple were questioned further separately and their stories didn’t match up, with inconsistencies about how long the dog had been missing.

Samson before he was neglected by Jason Woodford and Toni Woodford from Lydd-on-Sea, Romney Marsh, Kent. — Samson / Sammy in healthier times

She added: “The vet thought the injury had been caused by the nose being tied or a muzzle left on for too long and too tightly. There were maggots in the wound – it was a deliberate delay in getting treatment.

“Three or four days later the couple were questioned separately and denied they had tied anything around Samson’s nose. Mrs Woodford said the dog had been missing for 24 hours and she thought it had either been stung or had suffered a snake bite.”

She also told the bench that when Mr Woodford was interviewed he changed his initial account of what he told inspectors.

He instead said Samson had been missing for four or five days and upon their pet’s return they had tried to care for him and fed him chicken and rice. He said they did realise the wound had an awful smell and that they had given the dog cuddles, love and prayers in the hope it got better.

Lewis Holloway, defending, said his clients did try to care for Samson after the dog came back after disappearing – but when the wound didn’t improve they took him to the vet.

He said: “There were well intentions, but incompetent care. They have had eight dogs in 20 years and have never had any issues before.

“They did have another dog too, but that passed away today of old age.

“Their parrot has also passed of old age, but they still have her parents’ dog – the pug, Bobby.

“He is 12 years old and he does have a cancerous lump on his lip but they had it checked out by a vet.”

The court also heard Toni Woodford had never been in trouble before – but her husband had convictions, albeit from 24 years ago.

Sentencing | 12-month community orders with 15 rehabilitation sessions. Ordered to pay £200 costs each at a rate of £20 a month. Banned from keeping animals for four years (expires November 2027).

Kent Online

UK Animal Cruelty Files