CONVICTED (2024) | Kyle Vaughan, born 28 August 1997, of 100 Milltown Road, Lisburn BT28 3TZ – starved two dogs to a skeletal condition.
Vaughan, owner of vehicle valeting business K.V Carkleen, was convicted of cruelty to a Doberman-type and Husky-type dog.
The unnamed dogs were examined by a vet who found they were “suffering due to starvation”. Both had visible hip and rib bones and their spines were prominent.
The charges date back to September 2023 when a local authority animal welfare officer received a report of concern from council enforcement officers who had taken possession of the two dogs.
The dogs were taken into the care of a local animal sanctuary and nursed back to health. They have since been rehomed.
Sentencing | two-year conditional discharge; ordered to pay a total of £369 in legal costs and vet fees. Disqualified from keeping animals for five years (expires April 2029).
CONVICTED (2024) | Rachel Louise Smith, born c. 1992, from Skirpenbeck, near Stamford Bridge, York YO41 – strangled her pet cat to death.
Smith, who is said to be mentally ill, is banned from having any role in owning or caring for animals for the rest of her life after pleading guilty to killing a cat named Chico.
RSPCA prosecutor Phil Brown told the court Smith had strangled the pet because he had urinated on her clothes.
Mr Brown said a mental health team had contacted Humberside Police after Smith told them she had shot the cat.
She later told an RSPCA inspector she had strangled him having “lost her temper” when he damaged her clothes.
Mr Brown said the RSPCA was aware of Smith’s mental illness and had prosecuted her so that she could be banned from having control of animals in future.
Smith’s solicitor Kevin Blount argued that Smith’s mental illness meant she had not dealt with the incident in the way someone who was not mentally ill would have dealt with it.
Mr Blount said she had been given the cat by someone who thought having a pet would help her with her difficulties.
“She soon realised that was not the case,” he said.
Mr Blount said the defendant had “complex psychiatric needs” and that she had a “very complex and tragic history”.
She had tried to arrange for the cat to be rehomed without success.
Smith was already working with health professionals to deal with her mental illness and the probation service could not help her, the court heard.
Her illness meant it was not possible for her to do unpaid work or be put under a curfew.
That left the judge with the choice of giving her a conditional discharge or a prison sentence, said Mr Blount.
District judge Adrian Lower said prison was not appropriate for Smith although he would normally consider jailing someone for killing a cat.
“There is no excuse for killing Chico,” he told Smith. “But I have to take into account your poor mental health as it was then and is now.”
Sentencing | three-year conditional discharge; £200 prosecution costs and £26 statutory surcharge. Banned from keeping, owning or caring for any animal for life but can ask for the ban to be reviewed after 10 years.
CONVICTED (2024) | Wally David Beaney, born 15/11/1984, his wife Maria Smith, born 18/05/1988, and her mother Louise Smith, born 28/08/1960, all of 2 Beechwood Gardens, Meopham, Gravesend DA13 0SD, Charlotte Lauren Byron, born 15/04/1987, of Longfield Road, Meopham, Gravesend, and her mother Deborah Lorraine Lampard aka Deborah Kirsch, born 11/08/1964 of 123 Highview, Vigo, Gravesend DA13 0UT – kept dozens of dogs in horrific conditions and sold gravely ill and dying dogs to buyers.
Of the five members of a gang of fraudulent puppy farmers estimated to have netted £500,000,, only one escaped a prison sentence. L-R Maria Smith, Wally Beaney, Debbie Lampard, Charlotte Byron
The cruel and illicit activities of the gang were uncovered during a raid on 22 September 2021 by rural crime police officers and the RSPCA. A total of 36 dogs and three cats were taken away and £10,000 was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Police made eight arrests, acting on four animal welfare warrants and also seized 12 vehicles and were able to return a farm vehicle to its owner.
All members of the gang, apart from Debbie Lampard who walked free with a conditional discharge, received prison sentences for duping the public and showing ‘cruelty and neglectful behaviour’ that led to the death of multiple dogs.
The gang reaped considerable financial benefit by repeatedly breeding dogs, while failing to provide appropriate medical care.
Some of the puppies had been poorly with parvo virus – a highly contagious and often fatal illness – and had died within days of being taken to their new home.
During a raid on three properties in Kent in October 2021 over 30 puppies were recovered.
A vet described the puppies’ living conditions as ‘dark and smelly’, with three puppies requiring ‘urgent’ veterinary attention.
Many adult dogs were also found in the garden of the raided properties – including two pregnant dogs who were riddled with parasites and dental issues.
Phones containing enquiries from people about purchasing the puppies were also seized during the search.
RSPCA inspector Vikki Dawe said: ‘These dogs were all being kept in horrible conditions with very poor care which did not remotely reflect the expectations of buyers who saw the adverts placed for them.’
Woolwich Crown Court heard that, in one instance, three Golden Retriever puppies, all purchased from Byron’s address in Kent in July 2021, died within four days of being purchased.
Wally Beaney, a traveller, received the longest custodial term of the gang
A vet who examined the case said in a statement: ‘This suggests that the seller knew a litter mate was sick at the time of their sale.
‘Yet the other puppy purchasers were not notified, either at purchase that a litter mate was unwell or that a litter mate became unwell.
‘It is my opinion that the seller failed to protect the three pups discussed in this report by not sharing with the new owners that he had detected signs of disease in another litter mate.’
Beaney with wife Maria Smith, who also went to jail
All five defendants were sentenced on January 25, 2024.
Wally Beaney pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, as well as one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Louise Smith pleaded guilty to one offence under Animal Welfare Act 2006 and one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Maria Smith pleaded guilty to two offences under Animal Welfare Act 2006, and a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Charlotte Byron pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Debbie Lampard pleaded guilty to selling puppies without a licence.
Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, said: ‘Those convicted reaped considerable financial benefit by repeatedly breeding dogs, all the while failing to provide the animals and their puppies with appropriate medical care, such as worming medication and inoculations.
‘They demonstrated cruelty and neglectful behaviour that ultimately led to numerous animals losing their lives unnecessarily.’
Sentencing |
Wally Beaney: four and a half years’ immediate custody. Ten year-ban on keeping dogs.
Louise Smith: two years and four months in custody, Banned from keeping dogs for five years.
Maria Smith: two years and four months in custody. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.
Charlotte Byron: two years and three months in custody.No ban.
Debbie Lampard: 18-month conditional discharge. No ban.
CONVICTED (2024) | Kristina Barton, born 18 August 1995, of Heol Dinefwr. Foelgastell, Cross Hands, Llanelli SA14 7EH – for dog breeding without a licence.
Unlicensed puppy breeder Barton, who also runs a pony event business called Carmarthenshire Party Ponies & Therapy Pets, was told to pay £26,700 after admitting three charges under the Animal Welfare Act at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.
Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings were launched, where the prosecution alleged that Barton profited to the sum of around £31,000 from the illegal puppy sales.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Barton had bred as many as nine litters of puppies during that period. The case was brought to light after multiple complaints from concerned neighbours to Carmarthenshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police.
The investigation began in April 2020 when Barton initially inquired about a dog breeding licence. Despite being provided with an information pack, subsequent complaints from neighbouring properties surfaced, leading to allegations of illegal dog breeding, unauthorised construction of kennels and stables, noise disturbances from barking dogs, and dogs straying and fouling outside the property.
In May 2021, an advert on the Pets4Homes website revealed that Barton was advertising a litter of puppies, prompting a warning letter from Carmarthenshire County Council. However, the situation escalated when Dyfed Powys Police received additional complaints in April 2022.
A Data Protection Act request, by the Local Authority to Pets4Homes, uncovered that Barton bred as many as nine litters of puppies and offered four individual dogs for sale between May 17, 2021, and July 30, 2023 – all without the required dog breeding license.
Despite previous advisories, Barton continued her breeding operations, leading to legal action by the County Council.
Sentencing | 12-month conditional discharge; ordered to pay £26,721.12 as well as £500 in costs and a £22 surcharge.
CONVICTED | serial violent animal abuser Dominic John Callum Jackson aka Dominic Holmes, born 15 October 1997, of Cotswold Terrace, Stanley DH9 6QH – for attacks on multiple pets, causing serious or fatal injuries, while neglecting and starving others; others suffered horrendous neglect and starvation at the home shared with co-defendant Laura Louise Smith, born c. 1992.
Sadistic serial pet abuser Dominic Jackson is disqualified from keeping animals for life while gormless partner Laura Smith, who also goes by the names Laura Jackson or Laura Holmes, only received a one-year ban
Monstrous Dominic Jackson pleaded guilty to inflicting blunt force trauma and physical violence on his pets after he was prosecuted by the RSPCA following reports that he had been seen kicking cats.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how inspectors from the charity had visited the home of Jackson and Smith on January 28, 2023, to find a number of animals – some of whom were underweight – living in poor conditions.
In her evidence, inspector Rowena Proctor, who attended the property with her colleague Heidi Cleaver, said: “The living room smelled strongly of cat urine and was unclean throughout with very dirty litter trays.
Several of the cats appeared to be very underweight with ribs and pelvis felt with ease. One cat in particular was of major concern.
“I spotted her lying on the top of a corner unit which was around 7.5 feet (2.2 metres) tall and she appeared to be deceased. I was eventually able to reach up far enough to get hold of the cat who thankfully was still alive but appeared weak and lethargic.
“Her name was Missy and she was the skinniest of all of the cats. Our concerns relating to the animal’s weights were explained and following discussion with myself and inspector Cleaver, all cats were put into carriers and removed from the property.”
The animals – five cats called Missy, Toby, Tabby, Felix and Simba, and a crested gecko called Bumblebee – were taken straight for veterinary treatment and later seized by the police as evidence. The vet said all of the cats were suffering and four of them were too thin, although they all made good weight gains with appropriate care in the weeks that followed.
Veterinary notes seen by the RSPCA during the investigation revealed how other pets previously belonging to Jackson – a guinea pig; a ferret; three cats called Tibby, BamBam and Bambi; a black terrier type puppy called Lulu and one unknown species of animal – had also sustained injuries or died without explanation or veterinary intervention.
Tibby was found to have sustained a broken back leg after reportedly falling off the bed when alone in the bedroom with Jackson and died. A ferret called Maggie and a guinea pig were said to have been found dead in their cages by Jackson, who claimed other cats had fallen down the stairs or been found dead behind the sofa. Lulu had suffered a head trauma but has since been rehomed by the RSPCA.
The court heard how Jackson had admitted punching Toby with a closed fist after he’d eaten another cat’s food, resulting in the cat having to have his eye removed. He also said he had slapped Missy and Felix, but could offer no explanation as to why other animals had unexpectedly got injured or died.
Another vet who gave evidence as part of the case, said none of the animals were reported to have sustained accidental injuries such as road traffic accidents or falling from a significant height.
“In my opinion, Missy, Toby, Felix, Simba and Tabby have all been caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse,” he said.
“Suffering will have been experienced by these animals via mechanisms of fear, distress and pain for variable periods of time.
“In my opinion it is highly likely that the dog made known as Lulu was also caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse, although the details of the circumstances surrounding the injuries to this dog are not sufficient to draw this conclusion with surety.”
Most of the animals removed from the property on January 28 were signed over to the RSPCA during the course of the investigation and have since been rehomed by the charity. A deprivation order made by the court will ensure any that still remain – or have been brought since – must be handed over and will be rehomed.
Jackson was given eight weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, on each of the three offences to run concurrently. He was also given a lifetime disqualification order on keeping animals.
In mitigation, he told the court he was vulnerable and suffering from poor mental health and repeatedly claimed that someone else was responsible for coming into the house and harming the animals.
In September 2023, Laura Smith pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and received a conditional discharge and one-year ban.
Speaking after the conclusion of the court hearing, inspector Proctor said: “This was an extremely upsetting and disturbing investigation as it became clear during the course of our enquiries that a large number of animals had suffered neglect and deliberate cruelty at the hands of Jackson. He had a duty of care towards his pets but instead inflicted violence and injuries.”
Sentencing | Dominic Jackson: eight-week custodial suspended for two years for each of the three offences to run concurrently; £360 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154. Banned from keeping animals for life. Laura Smith: 12-month conditional discharge. One-year ban which expires September 2024.
CONVICTED (2023) | Andrew Allen, born c. 1977, and Siobhan Barker, born 5 December 1997, of Boltsburn Crescent, Rookhope, Bishop Auckland DL13 2AT – neglected a pony found in a frozen field surviving on mouldy hay.
Allen and Barker, who have four children, admitted three animal welfare offences in relation to piebald cob pony Pluto, who was found with lice, rain scald, and overgrown hooves in a frozen, barren field in Rookhope on January 20, 2023.
When visited by RSPCA inspector Lucy Green and a rep from charity World Horse Welfare, all Pluto had to eat was mouldy hay.
After the visit, a vet attended and confirmed Pluto was underweight and suffering.
The court heard how Barker arrived on the scene and began shouting obscenities. Allen appeared shortly afterwards, and both refused to let anyone examine Pluto further.
Allen then even chased the pony around the field in hope of preventing him being caught, but Pluto was eventually loaded into a horsebox. The police were called and took Pluto into their possession.
The vet who examined Pluto on site, said in her evidence: “The pony was kept alone in a small paddock, it was bare and snow covered on the day of the visit. The water was frozen and poor quality mouldy hay was available in the shelter.
“On examination Pluto had a body condition score of 1.5/5 meaning he was underweight with bony prominences throughout the neck, back and hips due to little fat cover. The coat was very thick, lice were present and there was some rain scald on the pony’s back.”
Blood tests revealed evidence of anaemia, chronic inflammation, low protein and possibly muscle disease. Parasitology results also showed encysted redworm and tapeworm.
“In my opinion this pony was suffering from malnourishment due to inadequate feed and high parasite burden,” added the vet. “Horses are herd animals and being kept in isolation can have a negative psychological impact, therefore this pony was likely suffering from being kept alone.”
The court heard how the animal welfare organisations had had previous dealings with the defendants, whose other animals include dogs and sheep, and had warned them about Pluto’s lice and weight after a previous veterinary examination.
In mitigation the couple said their health and lack of ability and finances had contributed to the situation.
Pluto was taken to an RSPCA animal centre and has made a good recovery and will be now rehomed by the charity.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Inspector Green said: “Pluto’s most basic needs were not being met and he was in a very poor state of neglect. He’s got a lovely temperament and has integrated well with other ponies in our care – the staff at the animal centre adore him. We’d like to thank our colleagues at World Horse Welfare for their support and assistance with this investigation which has helped to ensure a much brighter future for Pluto.”
Sentencing | Allen: 18-month conditional discharge. Barker: community order with 100 hours of unpaid work. Both of them were also told to pay £600 each in costs. Both were banned from keeping animals for five years (expires October 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Shona Louise Hale, born c.1991, of 161 Littlemoor Road, Weymouth DT3 6AF – for the severe neglect of two malnourished dogs found in poor living conditions and with untreated ailments.
Hale, a self-employed doula trading under the name Amba Bump & Beyond, was found guilty of animal cruelty in relation to two wire-haired lurcher-type dogs named Branna and Sky
Branna was in particularly poor health with a chronic skin disease, which had caused major fur loss and scabby skin all over her body, plus visible scabs on her back, tail and legs. Live fleas could be seen crawling on both dogs, who were living in poor conditions.
On June 25, 2022, RSPCA rescuers were called to the address Hale shares with husband Callum Hale and their two children after concerns were raised about the welfare of the dogs.
RSPCA inspector Patrick Bailey said: “Sky was of thin body condition, with her spine and hips bones prominent. She had thinning fur on her lower back and the base of her tail and her skin was pink and inflamed.
“Branna was worse in condition. She had fur loss on her lower back, her hind legs and her tail as well as her stomach, chest, underneath her neck and thinning fur on her front legs. She had scabby skin all over, there were visible scabs on her back, tail and legs, particularly her back legs.
“You could also feel scabs on the skin of her head, neck and behind her ears, although they were concealed by slightly thicker fur in these areas.
“The fur that was present on her back legs was matted into knots. Live fleas could be seen crawling on both dogs. Both dogs were trying to rest on the sofa but constantly interrupted by itching which caused them to scratch, lick and nibble themselves.”
Mr Bailey persuaded Callum Hale to allow him to take the dogs to a vet for a welfare check. The veterinary examination found Branna was suffering unnecessarily due to a chronic skin infection, malesia and flea infestation and vets confirmed neither dog had had their needs met fully.
The dogs were taken into the care of an RSPCA rescue centre where there was a significant improvement in their condition after just two weeks of treatment.
The skin on both dogs was a normal colour and was no longer greasy or smelly. There were no fleas and a significant reduction in the amount of scabs on Branna, who also had some new hair growth on her lower back.
Sky in healthier times. Source: Shona Hale, Facebook
The kennel staff also reported that the dogs had stopped scratching within 24 hours of their first bath on arriving at the RSPCA centre and their character had improved along with their physical condition.
Hale, who also keeps horses, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal (Branna) by failing to provide adequate or effective professional veterinary care and attention for her severe and chronic skin disease. She was also convicted of failing to ensure the needs of animals she was responsible for were met.
Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Charlotte Le Brun, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.
“Hale had been previously offered assistance from the RSPCA, including help with vet care for the dogs, but she did not take her dogs to the vet.
“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets. It’s so sad that, in this instance, that responsibility was not met.”
Sentencing | two-year conditional discharge; £26 victim surcharge. Five-year ban applicable to dogs only (expires October 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Richard Adrian Rosen, born June 1958, of 78 Twyford Avenue, Muswell Hill, London N2 9NN – poisoned a fox cub.
Despite subjecting a trapped fox cub to a slow, painful death, Richard Rosen walked free from court with a conditional discharge
Rosen told the court that having caught the cub he decided to try to “humanely euthanise” her as he had no safe way of releasing her.
But a judge decided that Rosen caused the fox unnecessary suffering as he placed her in a wheelie bin and then in a rubble sack along with a bowl of dichloromethane (DCM) – a banned poison.
Rosen laid the trap at the end of his garden in Twyford Avenue, Muswell Hill, on the evening of May 18, 2021, to catch a rat that his lodger Annabel Eager had seen.
The following morning a three-month old fox cub weighing 2kgs was found in the trap.
District Judge Denis Brennan said: “As [Rosen] approached it, it was scrabbling, digging at the concrete, with eyes frantic, snarling, with bared teeth. He did not know what to do but decided against release as he feared it might bite him.”
Rosen collected a bottle of an old poison from the 1980s which he believed was chloroform. However, the bottle was clearly labelled DCM – a now banned substance which was used in paint stripper products until 2010.
Rosen pictured holding the cage with the dead fox cub inside
As he collected the poison from her bathroom, Ms Eager said her landlord sounded proud of himself that he had caught the fox.
Describing the fox, Ms Eager said: “Her fur was sticking out of the bars a little bit. She was cramped, stressed, she looked like she had been there a long time.
“She was having a dig into the corners trying to find a way of getting out of but it was locked, she couldn’t get out.”
Defending Rosen, Anthony James said: “The defendant took some steps before making the decision to euthanise the fox. He called the vets, who were unable to assist him.
“He then called the RSPCA and remained on the phone for approximately 10 minutes but was unable to get through to anyone. He was of the view that the fox needed to be dealt with quickly.”
Rosen then placed the caged fox in a wheelie bin with a bowl of DCM. When after around 40 minutes it was still alive, Rosen also covered the caged fox with a thick rubble bag.
After Ms Eager phoned the RSPCA, one of the charity’s officers Jack Taylor arrived at the property.
“I asked Mr Rosen why he killed the fox. He told me he caught a fox accidentally and proceeded to kill it using chloroform,” Mr Taylor said.
“I asked why he didn’t release the fox. He told me because foxes are vermin and that would be unthinkable.”
When he was asked to surrender the dead fox, Mr Taylor said: “Mr Rosen shook the fox out of the cage as if he was trying to get ketchup out of a bottle.”
Rosen told the court he would not have killed it if he had been given advice by the RSPCA but he was unable to get help.
When asked why he described foxes as vermin, he said: “I was upset, foxes had been s***ing on my driveway, I was annoyed.”
Two animal forensics experts called to give evidence were unable to agree on whether the animal suffered before her death
Dr Sean Taylor, called by prosecutor Hazel Stevens, said that inside the wheelie bin the poison would evaporate and cause the fox to suffer. Dr Taylor said the fox’s eyes, nose and airways would all be stinging because of the irritant.
“It certainly would cause a fox distress when that substance is inhaled, which of course would have been unavoidable for the fox,” he said.
However, Dr David Bailey, who was called by defence counsel Mr James, said the fox appeared to have died peacefully.
Dr Bailey said: “There was no external trauma. Animals that are distressed in these situations often defecate themselves or urinate themselves. There was no sign of this.”
Dr Bailey suggested the fox may have died due to a build-up of carbon dioxide rather than due to a lack of oxygen.
“You don’t suffer, smell or detect a build-up of CO2,” he said. “The fox would have experienced, in my opinion, a very similar process to how they slaughter pigs.”
However, in his judgement District Judge Brennan said: “There is ample evidence here, on the facts, that the fox cub was caused unnecessary suffering by the combination of inhalation of DCM in the confined space of the closed wheelie bin and suffocation within the bag within the bin.
“It was clearly in that bin for at least 40 mins before being wrapped up in the builder’s bag. It did not die instantaneously from inhalation of DCM, on the evidence here. This is not a case of industrial amounts of carbon dioxide being applied very quickly.
“Therefore the only possible explanation, taking the acknowledged stress the animal was under before it was put inside the bin, is that for an unknown but significant period before unconsciousness occurred, it would have suffered due to the effects of DCM and the lack of oxygen.”
On September 22, 2023) Rosen was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and administering a poisonous substance to a protected animal.
Sentencing | 12-month conditional discharge. Ordered to pay £12,000 in costs to the RSPCA.
CONVICTED (2023) | Terence Reid, born 11 October 1956, of 5A Redlands Close, Whipton, Exeter EX4 8BE – swung a dog by her lead and slammed her against a bus shelter.
On 14 November 2022 witnesses saw Reid attack the unnamed dog in Sidwell Street, Exeter.
He pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a trial. No information in relation to the condition or fate of the victim is available.
Sentencing | 12-month conditional discharge’ costs of £100. No mention of ban.
CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Nadine Wells, born 13 May 1993, of 76 Cornshell Fields, Derry BT48 7UH – for the ill-treatment of a German shepherd and two of her puppies.
Wells was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to the German Shepherd named Bella and two puppies.
The complaint was brought against Wells by Derry City and Strabane District Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
Wells’s dog Bella produced a litter of nine puppies but the vile backyard breeder only faced cruelty charges in relation to two of the pups and Bella herself
An investigation was carried out by the council’s Animal Welfare Officer, after a complaint that a German Shepherd puppy was hanging out the top window of a home trying to drink water off the outside of the window.
The dogs were then found to be living in unhygienic conditions and had no access to water.
All three dogs were successfully re-homed by the local authority.
Sentencing | two-year conditional discharge; total costs of £434. Disqualified from keeping animals for five years (expires May 2028).
