Tag Archives: Calderdale

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire: Dianne Pearson

May 2, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Dianne Pearson, born c. 1953, from Sowerby Bridge – for cruelty offences to 10 horses, many of whom were put to sleep.

RSPCA prosecution of Dianne Pearson from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, for cruelty to 10 horses in her care.

Concerns about Pearson’s horses were raised with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare in April 2023, and officers went to the scene in the village of Norland, Sowerby Bridge. There they discovered 10 horses and ponies kept in cramped, dirty stables and building. Faeces and soiled bedding had built up to the extent that the horses were struggling to stand.

Some of the horses had difficulty walking due to lameness while many were suffering from dental issues and other health problems. One horse was so thirsty he drank readily from a bucket of water when offered to him.

In her witness statement, RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby said all the horses were being kept in unsuitable conditions.

“There was no ventilation and very limited lighting inside,” she said. “All the stables were piled high with bedding and faeces and it was clear they had not been mucked out in some time. The bedding inside all the stables was piled so high that most of the horses’ heads were touching the roof. There was no water inside any of the stables.”

She added: “During our visit, Pearson admitted that Bud had not been out of his stable for two years and it took her over 10 minutes to dig the muck from behind Ellie’s stable door before she could open it and get her out. It also took her some time to dig out another horse called Rio.”

Rescuers had to dig their way into some of their stables owing to the build-up of soiled bedding and faeces.

Four horses were removed that day and six the next; all were examined by an equine vet, whose witness statement said: “In my opinion the environmental conditions these horses were found in were completely and wholly unsuitable.

“Many of the stables were in complete or mostly in darkness and most had little ventilation.This meant that when some of the horses reached the boarding establishment, they found normal visual things extremely stressful, and one horse had to be medicated for this. This shows the psychological suffering caused to these horses.

“The owner failed to take steps to meet the needs of these animals, and this has caused suffering in all of the horses due to the poor and unsuitable environments, and five out of 10 of these horses due to ailments observed.”

Pearson signed six horses over to the care of the RSPCA. After the case a deprivation order was secured so the remaining four came into the charity’s care.

After the case, Ms Hodby said: “I am so pleased to see Fern, Cody, Inca and JJ are thriving with our team at RSPCA Felledge, and delighted to hear that Tilly and Finn have already found their forever homes.

“This was a really sad case to work on and to see ponies kept in such awful conditions was heartbreaking. I’d like to say thank you to our colleagues at World Horse Welfare for their assistance in the rescue and investigating. Working together with other agencies allows us to reach more horses and ponies that need our help and make a big difference to animal welfare.”

Vets made the decision to put Bling, Bud, Ellie and Rio down for health reasons.

World Horse Welfare field officer Gilly Howard said: “Having been shut in those small and dirty stables for so long, Tilly was a very nervous pony and especially difficult to catch. But our amazing team at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Lancashire are working with her to gain her trust and the conclusion of this case means that she can be assessed with a view to finding her a forever home.”

Pearson’s age and her early guilty pleas were considered in mitigation, and it was agreed that although she “feels no particular remorse for the suffering occasioned to her horses”, she “does feel a sense of sadness and believes she always tried her best”.

“The defendant has come to accept that she doesn’t want any of the horses returned to her. She has no desire to keep horses in the future.”

Sentencing | 20-week suspended prison sentence for each of the four offences, to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months; 20 days of rehabilitation activity; £7,000 costs. Disqualified from owning horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and their hybrids indefinitely, with no right of appeal for 15 years.

Horse & Hound

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Todmorden, West Yorkshire: Leah O’Connor

April 21, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Leah Mae O’Connor, born 23 June 1999, of Summerfield Road, Todmorden OL14 – left two dogs to starve to death in an abandoned property.

RSPCA prosecution of Leah O'Connor from Todmorden, West Yorkshire, who left two dogs in an empty house to starve to death. — Leah O’Connor left two dogs to starve to death in a filthy house

Bulldog Doris and Rottweiler puppy Rox were left behind when single mother Leah O’Connor moved out of a house on Melrose Street, Halifax, in February 2023.

The RSPCA were alerted after the property’s landlord discovered the abandoned pets.

In written evidence to the court, Inspector Demi Hodby said: “The property itself was full of faeces and urine.

“Where there wasn’t faeces there was rubbish and other hazards on the floor and it was difficult to move around.

“It smelt strongly of urine and faeces and it was difficult to stay inside.

“The smell caused my eyes and nose to burn.”

There was a dog cage covered with a blue blanket in the house and inside was the body of Rox.

Inspector Hodby said: “There was no food or water inside the cage and it looked as though the dog had been trying for some time to get out.”

She added: “The dog itself was in an emaciated condition.

“One of its legs was poked through the cage and wrapped around the bars.

“It was absolutely heartbreaking to think what this dog has gone through leading up to its death.”

Doris was barely alive – emaciated, shivering, and lethargic, the court heard.

She was rushed for veterinary treatment and found to be severely dehydrated, covered in fleas, and had to be carried into the room because “she was too weak to stand”.

It was found she had eaten plastic to survive.

The bulldog was there for more than a week but her condition deteriorated and she had to be put down.

The court heard O’Connor had “spun a web of lies” to neighbours and family members, telling them Doris and Rox had been rehomed to someone on a farm.

She told Inspector Hodby in an interview she had done this after leaving the address and claimed someone must have broken in, as she was not aware the dogs were there.

O’Connor had concealed the dog’s suffering and the state of the property, which she wouldn’t allow anyone to enter, before finally leaving the house and abandoning the dogs to die inside.

In mitigation, the court was told O’Connor had been diagnosed with low maturity.

She also struggled with alcohol and drug issues – which she was getting help for – as well as depression and anxiety.

The magistrates were told that the “prolonged neglect” and abandonment of the dogs by their owner for a long period of time could not be regarded as anything other than “a deliberate act, perhaps short of sadistic behaviour”.

O’Connor pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and was ordered to undertake rehabilitation activities.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Hodby said: “The sight of Rox, who had wasted away in that filthy cage, unable to escape, is something that will stay with me, and those who discovered her, for a long time.

“Along with Doris, she’d endured unimaginable suffering over a prolonged period of time, having been abandoned and forgotten about.”

Sentencing | suspended 20-week prison sentence; 33 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. Banned from keeping animals indefinitely.

Telegraph & Argus
YorkshireLive

dog attack, Dogs, Lifers, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Halifax, West Yorkshire: Jodie Blezard

March 24, 2024 misanthropic 8 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder Jodie Leanne Blezard, born 11 September 1987, of Gladstone View, Siddal, Halifax HX3 9DH – failed to keep her dogs under control with one attacking a woman to her severe injury.

Idiot greeder Jodie Blezard from Halifax, West Yorkshire, allowed her dogs to be dangerously out of control, leading to one attacking a woman.

The victim had called to visit Jodie Blezard at her home in Halifax when she was “viciously attacked” by a Staffy crossbreed named Cally, causing blood to pour out of her neck.

As she was dragged to the floor she banged her head and was knocked unconscious.

Her wounds were so severe that they exposed her windpipe and required surgery.

The result was described at Bradford Crown Court as “significant cosmetic disfigurement” that left her voice impaired and her throat susceptible to infection.

Cally, who had recently had a litter of 11 pups, was removed along with Blezard’s other dogs. Callie was destroyed a month later.

Single mother-of-six Blezard pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog following the incident at her home on November 10, 2022.

The court heard that she had four dogs, three of whom were in the kitchen on the day of the incident, but that Cally was allowed into the living room.

The attack happened when the victim, who had been outside briefly, came back into the house and a baby gate became dislodged.

Mrs Recorder Taryn Turner said: “Very unfortunately, and in circumstances that will remain unclear, Cally attacked [the victim].”

Blezard had not seen the attack and, in an interview with police, said her animals were not dangerous. However she was “immediately remorseful” and apologised to the victim.

The court heard that Blezard had been spoken to in the past by various authorities about other dogs in her control, but that Cally had not been one of those animals.

Recorder Turner said: “You have a lot of children to look after, and it seems to me that if I were to impose an immediately effective custodial sentence today that would deprive them of their mother.

“You are truly apologetic and full of remorse for what befell [the victim] on that day when she popped in with a friend just for a chat.

“There is every reason to hope that something like this will never happen again because you don’t intend to keep dogs again.”

Sentencing | 16 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years plus 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Banned from keeping dogs for life.

Telegraph & Argus

Dogs

Brighouse, West Yorkshire: Jade Taylor and Matthew ‘Boop’ Drake

February 15, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Jade Taylor, born c. 1996, and Matthew Drake aka Boop Drake, born 23 January 1992, both of Brooklyn Terrace, Brighouse HD6 2PF – did nothing to help their poorly dog who died as a result of their neglect.

RSPCA prosecution of animal abusers Matthew Drake aka Boop Drake and partner Jade Taylor from Brighouse, West Yorkshire. — Boop Drake and Jade Taylor failed to provide vet treatment for their 10-year-old dog’s flea infestation, which caused an allergic skin reaction .

Jade Taylor and the ridiculously monikered Boop Drake failed to seek veterinary treatment for their ten-year-old Staffordshire bulldog Misha.

She had a flea infestation which caused a severe allergic skin reaction so bad she ended up being put to sleep because of “self trauma from her chewing and scratching at her skin”.

The couple pleaded guilty to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

RSPCA inspector Adam Dickinson went to the couple’s home on September 17, 2023, to investigate after being tipped off by a member of the public. He found Misha suffering from a serious skin condition, which included skin reddening and open scratch wounds.

The inspector said in a statement presented to the court: “Misha had a lot of missing fur and her skin was tough and wrinkly. It looked quite pink with numerous areas showing fresh blood. She was running around in the yard, frequently scratching her skin.”

Misha was taken to the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she underwent antibiotic and steroid treatment.

A vet at the hospital said she was extremely itchy, which led to “self trauma from her chewing and scratching at her skin” which was so damaged, it looked like ‘elephant skin’.

After signs of showing an improvement in her condition, Misha developed a gastro-intestinal bleed, which is a potential side effect of steroid treatment.

Despite the withdrawal of the steroids and treatment with gastroprotectants, her condition worsened and it was decided the best course of action to end her suffering was to put her to sleep.

The court heard the defendants had not taken the dog to see a vet since 2019.

The vet stated: “It should have been clearly evident to the owner that Misha required veterinary assessment and care. She was frequently scratching and chewing at herself which again would be easily noticeable.

“Skin issues were flagged up by the owners’ veterinary surgeon in 2015 and 2019, but the dog was not presented to a vets again after this date. A reasonable owner would have sought veterinary care on seeing their pet with these symptoms.”

The court heard that Boop Drake was receiving therapy for “mental health issues”, while Jade Taylor apparently needed to support her sister, who was a full-time carer for her mother.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation; each must pay a victim surcharge of £114 and court costs of £400. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires February 2029).

YorkshireLive
Telegraph & Argus

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Halifax, West Yorkshire: Lee Gladwin

August 24, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED | Lee Peter Gladwin, born 20 March 1991, of 11 Myrtle Drive, Halifax HX2 8HQ – left two dogs in ‘intense acute pain’ with injuries consistent with badger baiting.

Halifax wildlife persecutor Lee Gladwin left his dogs in acute pain with injuries consistent with badger baiting

Gladwin, a self-employed joiner trading under the name LPG General Joinery, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a brown female Patterdale terrier and a black male Patterdale terrier.

A warrant was carried out by West Yorkshire Police on April 14 2022 along with the RSPCA special operations unit at 99 Tewit Lane, Halifax HX2 9SD.

Two dogs were seized by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA.
The female dog was seen to have some scarring to the face and also had an injury to the lower jaw, while the other dog also had some scarring on the face.

The two dogs were examined by a veterinary surgeon who advised that both dogs required dental treatment procedures under general anaesthetic. This was for surgical extraction of broken tooth root remnants and anti-inflammatory painkiller medication was prescribed.

In mitigation it was suggested that the injuries sustained by both dogs had been caused when they had fought with each other. However the court also heard that the injuries were more consistent with those caused by a badger.

In evidence from a vet, it was said that both dogs had “sustained significant wounds to the front of the mouth, nose and lips evidenced through scarring of the soft tissues and missing / broken incisor teeth.”.

They continued: “At the time of these injuries being sustained I would expect the significant soft tissue wounds to have been bleeding with clearly visible damage, redness and swelling.

“I would expect the dogs to have experienced intense acute pain at the time of their teeth being pulled out or broken, together with large lacerations to the soft tissues of the face; and ongoing pain and discomfort is expected from the broken teeth.

“An increased level of pain would also be anticipated for (the female terrier) due to abscessation of one of the tooth roots. Accidental incidents are in my opinion less likely as both dogs have experienced a similar trauma.

“The scarred lacerations to the nose and lips in combination with broken incisor teeth and multiple incisor teeth having been pulled out entirely is in my opinion most likely to have been caused by a bite wound from a badger.”

Fortunately, the two dogs in RSPCA care have had full dental repairs and were initially with foster carers before the case was heard. After being signed over to the RSPCA they were also rehomed.

Sentencing | 20-week custodial suspended for 18 months; ordered to pay £750 plus victim surcharge of £128. Disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.

YorkshireLive

Dogs, Lifers

Halifax, West Yorkshire: Clare Beaumont

September 8, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Clare Beaumont, born 12 October 1974, of Hunter Hill Road, Mixenden, Halifax HX2 8SZ – failed to seek vet treatment for her dog’s skin condition.

Beaumont pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to Beau, a Lhasa Apso type dog.

The tan and white dog’s coat was heavily matted and flea-i/infested and he was suffering from alopecia and conjunctivitis. Most of his skin across his trunk and limbs was red and inflamed and it was so painful that an RSPCA inspector observed him licking and biting at himself constantly. His nails were also overgrown on all four of his feet.

The court was told that RSPCA inspectors made numerous visits to Beaumont’s home between August and October 2021 when they advised her to take the dog to the vets. The defendant claimed she had done, but the charity could find no evidence to back up her claims.

Beaumont eventually agreed to allow RSPCA inspector Kris Walker to take Beau to the vets, where Beau’s hair and nails were trimmed and he was treated with anti-parasites, eye drops, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Sadly, a later examination of Beau’s mouth revealed a separate issue with a tumour that had spread through his jawbone, so it was decided the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep to end his suffering.

RSPCA inspector Natalie Taylor said in her witness statement that when she visited Beaumont’s home on April 29, 2021, following a report, the defendant claimed Beau had died two weeks earlier and was buried in the back garden.

But in a telephone conversation with the inspector later that day she said he was still alive, although it was not for another 12 days before RSPCA inspector Kris Walker was able to check on Beau’s condition.
He advised her to seek veterinary attention and clean up the yard which was full of faeces.

The court heard how when the inspector returned on August 31, the defendant claimed she had taken Beau to Vets4Pets. But there proved to be no record of the visit and he asked her again to get veterinary treatment as the dog needed dematting and treatment for fleas.

On a further visit on October 28, Beaumont claimed she had taken the dog to the PDSA in Bradford, but agreed to let him go to a vets with inspector Walker, who reported in his witness statement: “Beau was matted and he had fleas, conjunctivitis and appeared to have a mouth issue. He was licking and biting himself continuously and his skin was hot to the touch.”

A vet who examined the dog concluded he would have been suffering for “at least some days and weeks” before he examined him.

In mitigation, Beaumont said she was remorseful and that at the time she “had had a lot going on”.

After the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Kris Walker said: “We gave the defendant advice and she had multiple chances to take her dog to see a vet. She wasn’t frank with us and claimed she had done this when she hadn’t.

“In the meantime, Beau was left in a dreadful state, matted and suffering from sore skin, alopecia and eye issues.

“He was signed over into our care, but sadly a tumour was found in his jawbone and the kindest course of action was to put him to sleep to end his suffering.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity days; £695 in costs and victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.

Halifax Courier

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

Halifax, West Yorkshire: John Fitzgerald and Jacqueline Glennon

January 8, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

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 and some of her neglected cats. — 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.

Halifax Courier

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Todmorden, West Yorkshire: Daniel McCloud

July 31, 2021 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Daniel Jason McCloud, born 18 July 1994, of 5 Bankside, Todmorden OL14 6LF – left dogs fighting in a filthy backyard.

Daniel McCloud pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences. The court heard how there had been prolonged neglect and suffering to his three dogs – two Staffordshire bull terrier type dogs Elvis and Banksy, and Panda, a cross breed type dog – after they were kept in a dirty back yard for long periods of time and in all weather conditions.

Local residents often heard and witnessed the dogs regularly fighting with each other. One concerned witness said they could hear the dogs becoming more distressed and agitated. Another reported the dogs would regularly be barking and howling all day. Excrement was all over the yard often covering the dogs’ paws and witnesses described how this could be smelt from the side road.

During the court hearing RSPCA Inspector Demi Hodby who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity described the day she was called to the property following reports of dogs fighting each other.

She said: said: “I received a call from our National Control Centre to attend an emergency incident where it was said there were dogs fighting. It wasn’t difficult to locate the address as I could hear the dogs fighting from down the road. The noises I could hear were horrific. It consisted of barking and loud high pitched squealing and yelping.

“When I arrived I saw Elvis and Panda were covered in blood and I feared that if the dogs were not separated from each other they were going to cause more significant injury to each other – I feared for Panda’s life. I called for assistance from the police who used bolt cutters to access the yard.”

She described how further police officers had to attend the location and intervene when McCloud became aggressive.

Officers at the scene helped Demi to remove the dogs and get them to a place of safety.

A vet at the charity’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital who examined the three dogs said in his report that he found Panda’s claws were worn down suggesting they were in contact with hard ground. He also found her nails were oozing blood. Her coat was soiled with mud and she had a graze to her right shoulder.

In his report the vet went on to state that Banksy had a small bite wound and Elvis had to be sedated before his wounds could be safely examined.

All three dogs were admitted to the hospital and had their wounds treated and received their vaccinations and flea treatment.

Banksy was also pregnant when she came into the charity’s care and she has since given birth to puppies. All her pups have since been found loving new homes.

Mitigation was put forward that at the time of the offences, McCloud was suffering from depression and he accepted he had not been able to look after the dogs properly.

Sentencing: 12-month community order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days; ordered to pay a total of £395. 10-year disqualification from keeping all animals, which can be appealed after three years.

Planet Radio
Halifax Courier

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

Brighouse, Wet Yorkshire: Jordan Townend

May 4, 2021 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Jordan Will Townend, born c. 1997, of Whinney Hill Park, Brighouse, Huddersfield HD6 – left his dog to suffer without painkillers after major surgery

Dog abuser Jordan Townend from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, UK and victim Odi — Despicable lifelong loser Jordan Townend failed to give Bedlington terrier Odi pain relief which had been prescribed by a vet following an unexplained fracture to the dog’s leg.

Townend pleaded guilty to two animal cruelty offences after he caused unnecessary suffering to his Bedlington terrier type dog Odi.

The father-of-two failed to give the dog pain relief which had been prescribed by a vet following a fracture to his leg.

The second offence related to failing to protect Odi from pain, suffering, injury and disease in a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

Bradford Magistrates’ Court heard how Odi had previously sustained a broken hind leg in suspicious circumstances.

Animal abuser: Jordan Townend from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Picture: Facebook

Vets operated on Odi to repair his leg but after the operation, Townend only gave Odi the prescribed medication and pain relief on one or two occasions meaning his dog would have experienced suffering for a week following surgery.

While Odi was still recovering from surgery, Townend then allowed him to escape and during this episode Odi damaged his leg further.

A vet found his damaged limb was swollen and painful and the pins in the metal frame that had been used to surgically repair his fracture were bent and protruding.

Dog abuser Jordan Townend from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, UK

RSPCA Inspector Rebecca Goulding took Odi to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where vets found a series of injuries suggesting a long term pattern of abuse.

X-rays of Odi revealed, in addition to his fractured tibia, he also had an older rib fracture and fracture of the spinous process raising suspicion of trauma occurring on more than one occasion.

She also found Odi had bruising to his right ear.

Odi received treatment and care at the RSPCA hospital and was discharged once his limb fracture had fully healed. He has since been rehomed to a loving new family.

Sentencing: 12-month conditional discharge. Five year disqualification from keeping all animals (expires May 2026).

YorkshireLive

donkeys and mules, Equine Abuse

Southowram, West Yorkshire: Benjamin Marshall

February 4, 2021 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2021) | Benjamin Peter Marshall, born 23 May1977, of New Street, Southowram, Halifax – failed to care for two donkeys

Benjamin Marshall admitted the serious neglect of donkeys Jemimah and Snowball

Marshall, who had ignored advice from both the RSPCA and The Donkey Sanctuary, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences in relation to 13-year-old Jemimah and her four-year-old daughter Snowball.

He failed to meet the donkeys’ basic welfare needs by not providing them with access to a clean supply of fresh water or a suitable and safe environment to live in. In addition, also failed to seek veterinary treatment for their various ailments which included laminitis and thrush. He also failed to provide the donkeys with adequate dental and foot care.

Benjamin Marshall's donkeys Jeremiah and Snowball were found living in yard covered in broken glass and metal — Benjamin Marshall’s donkeys Jeremiah and Snowball were found living in yard covered in broken glass and metal

RSPCA Inspector Rebecca Goulding and two welfare advisers from The Donkey Sanctuary discovered the donkeys living on a waste site that contained many dangerous objects.

The area was littered with broken plastic, wood, scrap metal, dumped wooden pallets and rolls of metal fencing among other rubbish.

There was also a broken trailer that had multiple sharp edges on it and the area was strewn with broken metal and glass. She found that there was no area of the field that was safe or suitable for the donkeys.

The grass cover was sparse and the forage foraging provided for the two donkeys was wet and covered in mud and faeces.

Marshall advised the donkeys had access to water in a dustbin, but the water level was too low down for the donkeys to reach. Their shelter was dirty and deep in mud and faeces and meant the donkeys had no hardstanding.

Inspector Goulding said: “Donkeys require shelter at all times as, unlike horses, their coats are not well adapted to our climate and so they require shelter from the weather, but especially the rain, wind and cold.”

Vet Dr Suzanne Green from Greenway Equine Veterinary Services, was called to assess the donkeys’ conditions and found that Jemimah was extremely lame with laminitis. She had an overgrown foot and was in a lot of pain.

Marshall told the vet the donkey “had been like that for 10 years” and was “fine”.

Snowball’s feet were overgrown and starting to curl upwards. She had thrush and severe white line disease in all four of her feet.

Both donkeys were also found to have extremely sharp teeth and there was no evidence of previous dental work having been done.

The vet recommended the donkeys were removed from the site and West Yorkshire Police took them into possession, passing them into the RSPCA’s care. The donkeys were transported to a Donkey Sanctuary-funded holding base so they could receive specialist care and start their rehabilitation.

In mitigation, the court heard that Marshall should be given credit for his guilty plea and he had now agreed to sign Snowball over to the RSPCA. Jeminah had been signed over at an earlier date.

Magistrates stated this was a serious case and that Jemimah had suffered significantly. The two donkeys had not been provided with water, adequate vet treatment or farrier care and, in short, the donkeys’ needs were not met.

Sentencing: 18-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work; £440 costs and charges. Five-year disqualification from keeping donkeys (expires February 2026).

Halifax Courier
Telegraph & Argus

UK Animal Cruelty Files