Tag Archives: career criminal

animal fighting / baiting, Animal Torture, deer, Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Bransgore, New Forest: Kristen and Todd Cooper

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CONVICTED (2024) | brothers Kristen Christopher Cooper, born 2 May 1999, and Todd James Edward Cooper, born c. 1994, of 24 Westbury Close, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8AZ* – tortured wild animals to death and filmed their agonies.

Sadistic animal killers: brothers Kristen Cooper (left) and Todd Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire
Sadistic brothers Kristen Cooper (left) and Todd Cooper

Career criminal brothers Kristen and Todd Cooper, who are gypsies, made a series of sick videos showing hares and deer being abused and mutilated.

During one depraved incident, the pair mutilated the genitalia of a deer – to the extent that officials could not tell if the animal was male and female – and stabbed another in the eye on camera, causing an ‘extreme level of suffering’.

In another twisted video they held a hare by his head and encouraged a dog to bite him.

Sadistic animal killer: Kristen Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

A vet reviewing the videos as part of the investigation described the footage, filmed in 2021 and 2022, as the “worst case of animal abuse” he had seen in his 24-year career.

“These images will stay with me forever,” he said.

Sadistic animal killer: Todd Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

Other videos showed deer being dragged by their antlers having appeared to have suffered spinal injuries from possibly being hit by a car, with one piece of footage showing a man raising a wooden object above a helpless deer’s head as if he was going to strike it.

The brothers were caught after police seized a phone containing the shocking videos.

Sadistic animal killer: Kristen Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

Kristen Cooper was charged with seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal with Todd Cooper being accused of one count.

But after appearing at the crown court for these offences and being released on bail, just days later the pair were apprehended again after attacking a mother and her son outside a Co-Op in Betsy Lane in Bransgore on March 4, 2023.

In a video shown in court, the pair can be seen with a third unknown man, ramming another car before getting out and attacking the vehicle with a catapult, a crowbar and a baseball bat.

The victims of the attack later gave evidence at trial with the mother saying she “genuinely believed they wanted to kill us”.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Stuart Ellacott said the animal abuse was “sadistic” adding that the animals were in “distress and suffering”.

Sadistic animal killer: Kristen Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

Aleks Lloyd, defending Kristen – who has eight convictions for ten offences – said this is the first time his client has been in custody adding that he “appears to be getting his head down and getting on with it”.

Ruba Huleihel defending Todd, who has 24 convictions for 52 offences, said her client has ADHD and was exposed to violence from a very young age.

Sadistic animal killer: Todd Cooper from New Forest, Hampshire

Judge Peter Henry sentenced the pair for a variety of offences committed in the New Forest and in Dorset, including actual bodily harm, criminal damage and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

He said: “One would have thought that both of you being brought up in the New Forest you would have had more respect for such defenceless creatures.

“It was being filmed, other people were present and other people seemed to find it all very amusing.”

Both men were given restraining orders banning them from ever contacting the mother and son they attacked ever again.

This image shows the Cooper brothers and an as yet unidentified accomplice participating in hare coursing, a cruel sport in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare

Police Constable Sebastian Haggett, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team – who led the case alongside Hampshire police – said after the sentencing: “These are without doubt some of the most horrifying offences I have ever investigated.”

Angharad Thomas, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “The level of cruelty displayed in this case is beyond comprehension and the brothers showed an inexplicable disregard for the welfare of these animals peacefully existing in the wild.

“An expert witness for the prosecution described the actions of Kristen and Todd Cooper as the worst case of animal abuse they had ever come across in their 24-year veterinary career.

“The CPS welcomes today’s sentence and hopes it sends a clear message that we will continue to work with the police to bring offenders of these disturbing crimes to justice.”

Sentencing |
Kristen Cooper: jailed for five years; 10-year criminal behaviour order. Banned from owning a dog for ten years.
Todd Cooper- jailed for three years and eight months.

Daily Echo
Dorset Police
Daily Mail

*alternative addresses per newspaper reports |

Kristen Cooper: Whitelands, Bransgore BH23 8DY
Todd Cooper: Jubilee Court, Sway, Lymington SO41 6HA

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

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham: Connar Hudson

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CONVICTED (2024) | Connar Hudson born c. 1991, of Margaret House, 46 Berryfields Road, Sutton Coldfield B72 2UG – battered an XL bully for “jumping around in the bath”, causing severe injury.

Animal abuser Connor Hudson from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK. Photo credit: Birmingham Live

The dog, Simba, was heard screaming as he was being beaten by vile bully Connor Hudson. The RSPCA was alerted after a neighbour sent them a sound recording of the dog in distress and seized him.

He was later found to have substantial cuts and bruises to his head inflicted by ‘blunt force trauma’.

Hudson, a violent career criminal whose previous criminal convictions include burglaries which targeted elderly and vulnerable people, denied hurting Simba but later confessed after being found guilty of two animal welfare offences following a trial.

The attack on the dog took place on the morning of January 29, 2023.

Animal abuser Connor Hudson from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK. Photo: Facebook

Prosecutor Sarah Pratt said: “Another resident went down the lift to go outside and have a smoke. He heard shouting but couldn’t make out what was being said.

“He also heard the sound of dogs screaming. He identified the noise was coming from Connor Hudson’s flat. The witness started to record. The recording was short as he didn’t want a confrontation.”

She stated the neighbour called the police who attended Hudson’s flat but did not feel they had power of entry so they advised the complainant to contact the RSPCA, who sent an inspector at 1.36pm that day.

The court heard Hudson allowed the inspector in and they subsequently found Simba sitting on an arm chair with bruising.

A second XL Bully was at the home but there were apparently no concerns about him.

Animal abuser Connor Hudson from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK. Photo: Facebook

Hudson initially refused to allow Simba to be taken to a vet, but eventually relented.

Ms Pratt stated there was ‘extensive bruising’ and cuts to the dog’s head and said: “The injuries are consistent with blunt force trauma consistent with slapping or beating with an object or hand.”

Hudson’s lawyer told the court his client was “struggling with his mental health” at the time whilst not taking his medication.

Sentencing | 16-week custodial, suspended for 12 months; rehabilitation. Banned from keeping animals for ten years (expires January 2034).

Birmingham Mail

Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Dyfatty, Swansea: Joshua Rowles

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Josh Mark Rowles, born 19 February 1997, of Matthew Street, Dyfatty, Swansea SA1 1PT – punched a young French bulldog puppy to death.

Puppy killer Josh Rowles from Dyfatty, Swansea, Wales.

Rowles lost his temper with the puppy, known as Hugo, after the dog bit him while they were ‘nuzzling’ on the bed

A post mortem carried out on Hugo following his death concluded he had been hit with “considerable” force.

French bulldog puppy Hugo suffered a fatal injury after being punched by violent drunk Josh Rowles from Swansea, Wales
Victim Hugo

Jon Tarrant, prosecuting, said the incident happened at Rowles’ home on the morning of April 29, 2023. He said the defendant awoke to find Hugo on his bed, and he and the dog began to “nuzzle”. The pup then bit Rowles on the lip, and Rowles responded by punching the dog.

The court heard the dog’s condition started to deteriorate over the following 10 minutes and he was seen to start panting.

Puppy killer Josh Rowles from Dyfatty, Swansea, Wales.

The defendant rang his ex-partner, who told him to take the animal to the PDSA vets – but Hugo had already died before they reached the clinic.

The vet advised Rowles to contact the RSPCA, who collected Hugo’s body and began an investigation.

The pup’s remains were sent to Liverpool University for a post mortem.

French bulldog puppy Hugo suffered a fatal injury after being punched by violent drunk Josh Rowles from Swansea, Wales

In the meantime Rowles was invited to attend a voluntary interview with the RSPCA during which he said he had woken up to find Hugo on his chest and while he and dog were “nuzzling” the puppy had bitten his lip and he gave the animal “a clip”. He later told an officer that after Hugo bit him he carried the pup to his bed and threw him down before punching him to the side of his body.

Puppy killer Josh Rowles from Dyfatty, Swansea, Wales.

The prosecutor said based on disclosures made in interview, evidence from the vets, and the results of the post mortem it was concluded there had been a punch to the head and a punch to the ribs of the puppy, and that the defendant “must have used considerable force”.

In court Rowles, a convicted heroin dealer and former member of an organised crime group, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

His last conviction was for a public order matter some three days before the fatal blow to the dog.

Puppy killer Josh Rowles from Dyfatty, Swansea, Wales.
2018 police mugshot of Josh Rowles

John Allchurch, for Rowles, said his client and his ex had owned a French bulldog that had a litter of five puppies. After the couple split his client had kept one of the pups namely Hugo. He said the defendant had had Hugo for five or months before the incident in question.

Allchurch said Rowles had co-operated with the RSPCA investigation and been candid during his interview.

The advocate said Rowles had also been candid with the author of his pre-sentence report about needing help to address his consumption of alcohol.

Puppy killer Josh Rowles (right) with his violent career criminal brother, Sean Rowles

Judge Catherine Richards told Rowles he had committed a “brutal offence” against his dog which had resulted in his death. She said the “easy” thing to do would be to send the defendant to prison to mark society’s disapproval of what he had done but she noted the “genuine” remorse he had expressed in the pre-sentence report and the steps he had already taken to address his issues around anger and alcohol.

The judge said the appropriate sentence on the guidelines was six months in custody – with a one-third discount for his guilty plea.

Sentencing | four months in prison suspended for 12 months; rehabilitation; 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. Banned from keeping any animal for the next five years (expires December 2028).

Wales Online

animal fighting / baiting, Animal Torture, Dogs, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Ballyarnett, Londonderry: Peter Toland

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CONVICTED (2023) | Peter Paul Toland, born 15 March 1994, of 35 Cornshell Fields, Londonderry BT48 7UG* – beat his dog and buried her as she lay dying.

Dog killer Peter Toland from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and victim Luna
Peter Toland’s dog, Luna (pictured), was found barely alive by a member of the public having suffered multiple injuries, including broken teeth and broken bones.

On March 15, 2023, the American bulldog known as Luna, was brought to a veterinary clinic by police officers after she was found partially buried and under a stone by a member of the public in Ballyarnett Country Park.

Peter Toland's dog was put down by a vet after being found partially buried in a country park
Luna was humanely put down due to the extent of her injuries. A post-mortem examination found she was severely underweight, weighing just 19kg.

She had a facial haematoma as well as fractures which had been caused by blunt force. These were recent, possibly only hours old, and had been caused by a wide object.

Her ears were packed with mud which had been forced into her ears.

She had a body mass of two out of nine, meaning she was severely emaciated with no muscle mass present. Her canine teeth were broken and her pulse was exposed.

The dog was put to sleep on humane grounds.

Dog killer Peter Toland from Londonderry, Northern Ireland
The judge said Toland’s treatment of Luna amounted to “extreme” cruelty and she had suffered months of abuse and neglect before she was brutally killed.

In his police interview Toland said he’d owned the dog for two years. He said he’d gone to Donegal on March 15 and when he returned home he noticed Luna was missing.

Toland told the police Luna had “dropped a full litter of pups the previous October” but said that he’d never taken the dog to a veterinary clinic nor registered any of his dogs with any clinic.

Dog killer Peter Toland from Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Dog killer: Peter Toland is banned from keeping animals for life

When the police searched Toland’s home they found three other dogs in the enclosed rear garden. There was no water for them, bedding was inadequate, and the yard contained a considerable amount of faeces.

The prosecutor said Toland told the police Luna had never run away before and that he’d searched for her for one hour after he’d discovered she was missing.

Peter Toland's dog was put down by a vet after being found partially buried in a country park

Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said there was “absolutely no doubt Toland is a terrible owner of animals” but he submitted that the prosecution had failed to prove its case that the defendant had buried the dog alive.

Peter Toland's dog was put down by a vet after being found partially buried in a country park
Peter Toland's dog was put down by a vet after being found partially buried in a country park

The barrister said the police had failed to properly investigate the incident. They’d neither looked for CCTV footage nor organised an identity line-up for the member of the public who’d found the dog and who had seen two men at the scene.

Dog killer Peter Toland from Londonderry, Northern Ireland

The District Judge said either the dog got out of the back yard and somebody partially buried her or somebody took the dog from the back yard and did it.

“It is appalling and despicable that this animal was found as it was found. To think that somebody could bury the animal alive is just incomprehensible.

“No person with the slightest shred of decency would do that. But somebody did it, either a person or persons unknown did that, or the dog somehow got out for the first time and then somebody did this to the dog.

“This animal was in an appalling state of health. It was emaciated, there was no muscle mass, it had broken canine teeth, puncture wounds and facial fractures that was the result of blunt trauma with a wide object.

“This animal had suffered a prolonged period of suffering, months long, and that is squarely at the door of the defendant. He took no steps to have the dog treated, no steps to take it to a vet. He took no steps to deal with a severely emaciated dog, he is guilty”, said Mr Magill.

After jailing Toland, who has 46 previous criminal convictions, for nine months, the judge granted a defence application for leave to appeal the sentence and released the defendant on continuing bail.

Sentencing | nine months in jail. Banned from keeping animals for life.

BBC News

*alternative address: 84 Bloomfield Park, Londonderry BT48 8HB. This is the home of his parents, Clare and Paul Toland, but word on the street is that this is where he’s hiding out.

Update | 8 January 2024

Toland was finally jailed after his appeal over a nine month sentence was dismissed in court.

The sentence amounts to 30% of the maximum available to the court with Toland expected to serve half of that sentence behind bars.

After Toland had spent 25 days on bail, his solicitor asked asked Judge Neil Rafferty KC at Bishop’s Street County Court to dismiss the appeal.

The appeal was dismissed and Toland’s previous sentence was affirmed and he started his nine month jail term today.

Belfast Live

Additional Information

A friend of Toland’s, Liam Glennon, was initially implicated alongside him after several witnesses said they saw the pair together on 15 March 2023 near to where Luna was found.

Dog killer Peter Toland from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, with partner in wildlife persecution Liam Glennon
Peter Toland with fellow wildlife persecutor Liam Glennon
Like Peter Toland, Liam Glennon terrorises wild animals with dogs for kicks
Glennon posts sick images showing foxes being mauled to death by dogs on social media

Glennon, who like Toland enjoys persecuting wildlife, denied the allegations and it appears that case against him did not proceed.

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Dunfermline, Fife: Stuart Connolly

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CONVICTED (2023) | Stuart Connolly, born c. 1991, of Headwell Avenue, Dunfermline KY12 0JY but with family links to the Fife village of Oakley- “accidentally stood” on his puppy and left her with an untreated broken leg for days.

Animal abuser and junkie Stuart Connolly from Dunfermline, Fife, pictured outside court
Stuart Connolly pictured outside court. Photo credit: Courier

Persistent petty criminal Connolly’s unnamed Staffy-type pup was only taken to the vet after police went to his house with a search warrant on February 21, 2022.

He was caught that day with more than 10g of heroin at his Headwell Avenue home.

He appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing, having earlier admitted drug possession and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of the animal were met to the extent required by good practice.

Prosecutor Laura McManus told the court police went to Connolly’s home to execute a search warrant and found it in disarray.

Officers found a very small puppy resembling a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who seemed to be walking irregularly, with her right hip protruding.

The fiscal said: “When asked about the pup he stated he stood on it accidentally about five days ago and intended getting it to the vet at some point but because the dog could walk on it he was not overly concerned and stated he had saved up to buy the dog.”

An x-ray of the animal showed there was a leg fracture and the vet said the injury was about two weeks old.

The vet said the break appeared to be healing and no treatment was thought to be necessary but the dog should have received medical treatment at the time to fix the injury with pins.

Ms McManus continued: “It was apparent the accused did not particularly think his behaviour had caused unnecessary suffering to the animal.”

Animal abuser and junkie Stuart Connolly from Dunfermline, Fife

The fiscal depute said police also found 10.7g of heroin inside silver wraps in a Kinder egg and other plastic wraps, with an estimated value of £550.

Defence lawyer Alan Davie said Connolly does not have the dog anymore as the Scottish SPCA removed her from him.

The solicitor said his client had bought the dog and ensured she had vaccinations about two weeks before the offence.

Mr Davie said after Connolly stepped on the dog he noticed she had a limp and did not appreciate how serious a case it was and, rather than address the issue immediately, he waited to see if it would improve.

Mr Davie said Connolly was a heroin addict and at the time of offending was using a considerable quantity – now reduced from two-to-three grammes per day to 0.3g per day.

The fiscal depute called for a court disqualification order in relation to Connolly keeping animals.

Mr Davie said Connolly would be opposed to this and has now got another dog which he has had for eight months.

The solicitor said the offence, though serious, was nearly two years old and his client seems to have looked after the new dog.

Sheriff Francis Gill sentenced Connolly to a 145-day curfew order but was persuaded a disqualification order is not necessary.

Connolly thanked the sheriff as he left court.

Sentencing | meaningless 145-day curfew order and no ban.

Courier

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

Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent: Tyler Steele

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CONVICTED (2023) | Tyler Steele, born 27 May 1996, of 14 Tiverton Road, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 0AY – caught physically abusing dogs on two separate occasions.

Stoke thug Tyler Steele sparked national outrage after being filmed beating a dog in the Hanley area of the city
Stoke thug Tyler Steele sparked national outrage after being filmed beating a dog in the Hanley area of the city

A video of self-styled hardman Tyler Steele hitting a puppy several times was circulated on social media in July 2023 after the footage was caught on a doorbell camera in Hanley, stoke. Steele is seen dragging the female XL Bully, known as Bo, along the pavement and striking her repeatedly.

A second video believed to have been filmed in the Berry Hill area in May 2023 showed Steele throwing a French bulldog from a car, sending her skidding across the road.

The videos sparked outrage from people up and down the country, and prompted both the RSPCA and police to launch an investigation.

In the immediate aftermath of his exposure on social media, Steele turned up at the door from which the later footage was taken and left a message on its doorbell camera.

In it, he was heard to say: “I don’t give a fuck about the video. I’ve told everyone it was me. I don’t give two flying fucks. I’ll treat my dog how I want to treat it.”

In the video featuring Bo, Steele is seen walking along the street on a Hanley housing estate. The pup appears to sit down on her haunches and refuses to budge. Steele then yanks the lead, pulling her towards him, and rains down several blows on her head as she yelps.

He can be heard muttering “Don’t want it no more. He [sic] can fuck off.”

Bo is understood to be back in the care of her original owner but the whereabouts of the French bulldog are unknown.

Appearing at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre in November 2023 Steele pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering. He is to be sentenced in January 2024 after his case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report – but district judge Kevin Grego warned him that a custodial sentence was ‘highly likely’.

Claire McGowen, prosecuting, said that although there were no veterinary reports detailing the animal’s injuries, the suffering caused to the dog could be seen in the footage.

She said: “There were repeated instances of the use of substantial force causing a substantial level of suffering to a very young animal.”

Colin Drew, mitigating, told the court that Steele had been ‘under the influence’ of cocaine at that time and had since become drug-free.

He said: “He has no previous convictions for this kind of thing. He does have a very bad record and he wouldn’t deny that.

“He was under the influence of cocaine at that time. This last incident on July 7 put him in a situation where he has now become totally drug-free in the last couple of months. He has also benefitted from the assistance of his lady friend.”

Steele was bailed to appear in court in January with the condition that he must not own or possess a dog or any other animal.

District judge Kevin Grego warned Steele that it was ‘highly likely’ that he would face a custodial sentence and be disqualified ‘for a lengthy period’ from keeping an animal at his next court appearance.

Ordering a pre-sentence report, he said: “It is highly likely that custody will follow, and highly likely that the court will disqualify you for a lengthy period from keeping an animal.

“The court will deal with you having regard to the sentencing guidelines of up to 12 months in custody for each offence. It may be that you will be sent to crown court.”

Stoke-on-Trent Live

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

Craigend, North East Glasgow: Michael Frati

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CONVICTED (2023) | Michael Frati, born c. 1995, of Craigend, City of Glasgow – killed a tiny chihuahua by striking her with a hatchet.

Dog killer Michael Frati from Craigend, Glasgow, Scotland

Frati attacked the chihuahua named Ruby at a property in Ruchazie in the north east of Glasgow, on 5 August 2023.

He was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of causing the dog unnecessary suffering. He also behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at the same time and place.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes said it was a particularly sad matter due to Frati’s friendship with the dog’s owner, Janet Collins.

Sheriff Hughes said: “She played an almost maternal role in your life.

“This was the worst incident of animal cruelty I have seen, particularly in a summary court.

The charge said Frati knew or ought to have known that his actions would have caused suffering.

It is stated that he struck Ruby on the head with a hatchet which caused her death.

Sheriff Hughes added the dog had suffered from an “unprovoked incident”.

He said: “Miss Collins suffered from seeing it and seeing it done by you which is hurtful.

“It seems to me that you pose a significant risk to the public and this incident is an escalation.”

Peter Malone, defending, told the sentencing hearing that Ms Collins had tried to help Frati with his addiction issues and he had been living with her.

Sentencing | 12-month custodial. No ban.

BBC News

Additional Information

Frati was cleared in 2019 of two murder bid shootings within a month after the charges against him were dropped.

He denied shooting Robert McCann at a house in Tollcross as well as Brian McGloin at his home in Shettleston.

Mr McCann said he was shot in the head in his friend Christopher Lynch’s home, but remembered nothing after hearing someone at the front door and walking out of the kitchen into the hallway.

He woke up days later in hospital. In court he said he was unable to identify the gunman.

Mr McGloin who was shot three times and slashed on the face, also said in court he was unable to identify the shooter.

Dogs, Pet Theft, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

St Ann’s, Nottingham: Anthony Brown

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CONVICTED (2023) | heroin street dealer Anthony Brown, born c. 1999, previously of London but now of Comyn Gardens, St Ann’s, Nottingham NG3 1NY – stole an XL Bully puppy to service a drug debt and threatened to stab a second dog.

Police mugshot of ultra violent dog thief and heroin street dealer Anthony Brown from Nottingham with links to London and South Normanton, Derby.

Alex Wolfson, prosecuting, said the victim’s sister had amassed a drug debt, which Brown, previously of Red Lane, South Normanton, Derbyshire, claimed was around £5,000. . He said on April 24, 2022, she was at her home with five children and her door was unlocked.

The prosecutor said: “At one point, shortly after 7pm, the defendant opened the door and walked into the living room and she heard him say ‘Oi’. She immediately said back ‘What’s up’ and he replied that she needed to ring her sister.

“She said ‘Why what’s happened?’ and he was pacing around and took a lock knife out of his pocket and opened it to show her the blade. She said ‘no, not in here please there are kids let’s walk outside’ and the defendant said ‘I will stab everyone up in here’.”

Mr Wolfson said at that point the victim’s dog started to bark and Brown said “I am going to stab the dog up” and was still pacing around. He said: “He went to a dog cage in the corner of the room and asked her if it was her puppy and she said it was.

“He took the dog and left with it saying she could have it back when her sister had paid him the money she owed him. At that point, she locked the door and phoned her dad.”

Mr Wolfson said a short time later, the father was at home and tried to ring the daughter who owed the money but was unsuccessful in getting through to her. He said the father’s phone then rang with a number he did not recognise and he answered it.

The prosecutor said: “The voice on the end of the phone said ‘I am a black lad, I’m from London and she owes me £5,000 and where I come from if we don’t get payment we go to the next family members’.

“The dad said ‘you have got the dog it’s worth £2,000’ and the defendant replied ‘if we don’t get paid in a week I will kill the dog’.”

Brown pleaded guilty to blackmail, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis from when he was arrested.

His criminal record stretches back to when he was a juvenile and includes two previous offences for carrying weapons, theft and possession with intent to supply drugs.

Steve Cobley, mitigating, said his client had been moved by his family from London to the East Midlands in an attempt to steer him away from criminality.

He said: “The incident was short-lived but it was nasty. His mother is elsewhere but his father continues to support him and he uses drugs to numb the pain of his past experiences.”

Jailing Brown for four years, Judge Martin Hurst said: “She was understandably absolutely terrified, not just for herself but the children, because a strange man she did not know simply walked into her house. You noticed the puppy in the corner and took it hostage.

“You threatened to firebomb the house and kill the dog you had stolen. You moved from London to get away from this kind of trouble but what you have seemed to do is bring it with you to Derbyshire.”

It’s not been reported if the stolen dog was recovered.

Nottingham Post

dog used as a weapon, Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales: Marcus Walsh

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Marcus Walsh, born 25 August 1982, of Plantation Close, Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9LN – owner/in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control
Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

Convicted Class A drug dealer and prolific backyard breeder Marcus Walsh was not present when Rachel Millard was attacked by two XL bullies in Barry on March 20, 2022. She was left with puncture marks to her leg and finger, after placing herself over her puppy.

Ms Millard was walking along Coronation Street, Barry, with her boxer puppy when she saw two young girls open the front door of a house. One of the girls was screaming and the two dogs ran out of the property.

The whereabouts and fate of Marcus Walsh's XL bullies, from whom he'd produced at least one litter, are unconfirmed
The whereabouts and fate of Walsh’s XL bullies (pictured – note cropped ears on one of them), from whom he’d produced and sold at least one litter, are unconfirmed

The victim described the dogs as “excited” as they ran straight at her and her 15-week-old puppy, saying they were “fixated and focused” and thought they were “running to attack”.

In order to protect her dog she dropped to the floor and wrapped her arms around her puppy as the XL bullies tried to get at the puppy under her arms.

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

One of the dogs managed to get hold of the puppy but Ms Millard shouted “No” which deterred the dogs. She was screaming out for help and people looked on but did not intervene, the court heard. The victim attempted to stand up but the dogs jumped up on her and pinned her down on the floor.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said the attack lasted around seven minutes until she was able to get up and run from the dogs, adding whichever way she ran, the dogs ran after her.

The woman was able to seek refuge after a work colleague called her name and invited her into her house, as others tried to get the dogs back in the property they came from.

Ms Millard and her partner were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff by Walsh’s partner where she received treatment for injuries to her leg which bled on her jeans. There were seven puncture wounds to her left leg, a few inches above the ankle, and there were superficial cuts to her right index finger.

The puppy had superficial scratches and patches of bald fur.

After the incident, Walsh’s partner contacted Ms Millard and asked how she was. The defendant messaged apologising and told her not to ring the police.

He said: “Hiya love, so sorry this has happened. My daughter feels terrible for opening the door. Please don’t ring the police, I haven’t got the dogs now to stop them from being put down, it breaks my heart and the kids’. If you need help let us know.”

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

Walsh later attended her property bringing flowers and apologising, saying there was concern around him being on licence and having been banned from owning dogs. He said it was “pointless” contacting the police because the dogs had been given away.

Walsh attended a voluntary interview with police and made no comment. He later pleaded guilty to being the owner/in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

The court heard Walsh has 121 previous convictions, including an identical offence in 2016 when a dog he owned named Otto injured a person trying to stop the dog from attacking his dog, resulting in puncture wounds to his hands and wrists, and a cracked rib.

This was Walsh’s second prosecution in relation to Otto. He was jailed for eight months in 2015 for affray after setting the dog on a former friend.

Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media
Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Welshman Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media
Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Welshman Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media

Walsh was disqualified from owning a dog for five years, and was still banned at the time of the latest offence. He was also on licence for an offence of supplying heroin in 2019, for which he was jailed for 49 months.

In mitigation, Victoria Maud said her client, a roofer, is a “hard working” man and was not present when the dogs escaped from his partner’s house. She said the animals acted “out of character” and said the incident “came out of nowhere”.

When asked by Judge Daniel Williams if Walsh would divulge the location of the dogs, Ms Maud said the defendant believes one of the dogs is being put down and the other dog is living with a friend in “the Valleys” and would be willing to find out the address. The judge said: “He’s had ample time to do that.”

Sentencing, Judge Williams said: “You claimed you were forced to look after the dogs after you were bullied into paying off a debt. The dogs produced a litter and puppies were sold.”

He said aggravating features included the defendant’s previous convictions, the fact there were two dogs, he was on licence and moved the dogs out of reach of the authorities to avoid them being destroyed.

Sentencing | 18 months’ imprisonment. Disqualified from having the custody of a dog for 10 years (expires October 2033).

Wales Online

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Seaton, City of Aberdeen: Dean MacLennan

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CONVICTED (2023) | serial headcase Dean MacLennan, born c. 1993, of Linksfield Court, Seaton, Aberdeen AB24 1GU – kicked a dog in the face in an “unprovoked” attack.

Animal abuser and serial violent headcase Dean Maclennan from Aberdeen, Scotland.
Dean MacLennan during a previous court appearance. Photo credit: Press & Journal

Violent thug Dean MacLennan, who is no stranger to the Scottish courts, kicked a Staffy in the head so hard she was sent flying backwards.

The attack took place on Union Street, Aberdeen in the early hours of May 22, 2022.

MacLennan claimed the dog had bitten him on the face, but CCTV and his lack of injuries did not support this version of events.

Shockingly, despite the vicious and unprovoked nature of the attack, he escaped a ban on keeping dogs as the imbecilic judge decided such a move would not be “appropriate”.

Fiscal depute Kirsty Martin set out events for the court. She said: “A woman and her friends were on Union Street along with her dog, named Bella.

“The accused, an acquaintance, was also with them. They were all engaging in conversation.

“Without provocation, the accused kicked Bella with his right foot to her face, causing her to be thrown backwards.”

A verbal altercation between the parties then followed which caught the attention of police.

Animal abuser and serial violent headcase Dean Maclennan from Aberdeen, Scotland.

MacLennan told the officers the dog had bitten him on the face, but there was no evidence of this.

Ms Martin said: “CCTV showed the accused, unprovoked, kick the dog as described.

“The dog was at no point acting in a dangerous or aggressive manner.”

The court heard the woman who owned the dog passed away shortly after the incident.

MacLennan pleaded guilty to kicking Bella in the head.

Defence agent David Sutherland said his client maintained he’d been bitten by the dog and that the CCTV footage was filmed from “some distance away”.

‘There’s not any extended period of conduct in relation to dogs’

He said: “It was a Staffy, which is a dog which is commonly possessed or owned by those who move in drug circles.”

Not fit for purpose: Sheriff Margaret Hodge didn't believe it was appropriate to ban an animal abuser with a dog of his own from having animals
Not fit for purpose: Sheriff Margaret Hodge didn’t believe it was appropriate to ban an animal abuser with a long history of violence and a dog of his own from having animals

Sheriff Margaret Hodge interjected: “And who are on Union Street at midnight.”

Mr Sutherland agreed and went on to highlight his client’s struggles with his mental health and that he was a dog owner himself.

Sheriff Hodge told MacLennan: “Having heard the circumstances and heard from your solicitor, I’m inclined to deal with this by way of a fine.”

She imposed a £290 fine but with no time to pay, meaning MacLennan serves the alternative of 14 days in prison.

Turning to the possibility of a ban on keeping dogs or other pets, Sheriff Hodge said: “They don’t seem particularly appropriate here.

“There’s not any extended period of conduct in relation to dogs that would make me consider disqualification.”

Press & Journal