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Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Newport, South Wales: Troy Bowyer and Sam Hudacek

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CONVICTED (2024) | prolific backyard extreme bully breeder Troy Eric Bowyer, born January 1992, of 5 Aberthaw Drive, Alway, Newport NP19 9QB* and Sam Hudacek, born c. 1999, of Albert Avenue, Maindee, Newport NP19 8FF – filmed themselves trying to artificially inseminate a pet dog.

Prosecution of backyard extreme bully breeder Troy Bowyer and accomplice Sam Hudacek from Newport, Wales - who filmed themselves artificially inseminating a dog.

The men were described in court as making a “crude and amateurish” attempt to inseminate a dog. A judge said when he first saw the footage he thought it showed “some sort of sexual perversion”.

The attempts of Troy Bowyer, who bred and sold cropped-eared bull-breed dogs under the name ‘One Hunna Bullys’, and Hudacek to impregnate the latter’s dog came to light after police executed a drugs search warrant and found the video on a mobile phone. The phone also showed Hudacek had been involved in dealing cocaine.

Prosecution of backyard extreme bully breeder Troy Bowyer and accomplice Sam Hudacek from Newport, Wales - who filmed themselves artificially inseminating a dog.
Prosecution of backyard extreme bully breeder Troy Bowyer and accomplice Sam Hudacek from Newport, Wales - who filmed themselves artificially inseminating a dog.

The video showed a female bull dog standing on her front legs with her back legs being held up and Bowyer moving his fingers in and out of the dog. A syringe could also be seen in the footage.

The court heard the footage was being shot by Hudacek and he could be heard laughing and giving Bowyer “encouragement” to carry on.

The court heard the footage appeared to show “some kind of artificial insemination” of the bitch.

When interviewed about the video footage Hudacek answered “no comment” to all questions asked while Bowyer accepted it was him on the footage but denied causing the dog unnecessary suffering.

Hudacek pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, while Bowyer pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Defence counsel for Hudacek said the defendant had moved to the UK from Slovakia as a 12-year-old boy and initially struggled at school in Newport as he could not speak English. When his parents later returned home, however, he decided to stay in Wales. He said “there are people who think he is capable of a lot more” and said the defendant wants to support his partner and be a better role model. He said his client’s role in the animal offence had been “peripheral”.

Counsel for Bowyer, who is no stranger to the Welsh courts, said the dog belonged to the co-defendant Hudacek and his client had been “asked to assist with the artificial insemination”.

Prosecution of backyard extreme bully breeder Troy Bowyer and accomplice Sam Hudacek from Newport, Wales - who filmed themselves artificially inseminating a dog.

He said Bowyer had a long-term partner of 18 years with whom he had two children with a third was on the way, although the couple did not actually live together.

Judge Simon Mills described the matters involving the dog as “frankly unpleasant”, and said when he first saw the footage he “thought there was some sort of sexual perversion going on” but in reality it was a “crude and amateurish attempt at artificial insemination” which would have caused the dog considerable discomfort.

Sentencing |
Hudacek: three years in prison with one month to run concurrently for the animal welfare offence.
Bowyer: 24 month community order for the animal offence with rehabilitation course; £500 fine.
Neither man was banned from owning animals.

Wales Online

Additional Information

*alternative address for Troy Bowyer: 9 Ifton Place, Newport NP19 0HH.

Bowyer is a chef by possession and also a co-director of TJ’s Carvery & Grill based in Maindee, Newport.

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

Clogher, County Tyrone: Liam Swift

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CONVICTED (2024) | serial animal abuser Liam Reece Aiden Swift, born c. 2001, of McCrea Park, Clogher BT76 0AE – killed two dogs and is suspected of the brutal slaying of a third.

Serial dog killer Liam Swift from Clogher, County Tyrone. Northern Ireland. Image: Liam Swift / Facebook

Violent career criminal Liam Swift admitted cruelty offences after two dogs were found dead.

He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog on October 5, 2023, then to another dog on November 12, 2023.

Prosecution of serial dog killer Liam Swift from Clogher, County Tyrone, Swift pictured leaving a prison van.

Swift was under investigation for the death of a third dog who had been found with “horrific injuries” several months beforehand.

Dungannon Magistrates Court heard how Swift was arrested over a bail breach on November 11 and, because police knew he owned a dog, they attended his home to ensure she had food and water.

Officers found faeces everywhere and, when the dog didn’t appear, they began checking rooms.

The dog was discovered dead on a pile of rubbish in a cupboard, a chain tightly wrapped around her neck, cutting into the skin.

Serial dog killer Liam Swift from Clogher, County Tyrone. Northern Ireland. Image: Liam Swift / Facebook

Then on November 15 police learned there was a second dead dog hidden in a hedge near Swift’s home.

A search revealed the decomposing body of a small dog wrapped in a blanket and placed in a bag.

Swift’s partner confirmed the small dog was hers and she had brought her to Swift’s home on September 23 while staying with him.

She claimed on October 5 another male arrived at the property and ecstasy tablets were produced, which fell on the floor, with her unnamed dog ingesting them.

Serial dog killer Liam Swift from Clogher, County Tyrone. Northern Ireland. Image: Liam Swift / Facebook

The dog “became hyper” then fell asleep. However, she later noticed the dog was very wet and asked Swift if he had thrown water over her, which he denied.

The partner left the house for a time but later received a call from Swift claiming he couldn’t waken the dog and she “was in a bad way”.

On return she found the animal “cold and dead”.

She wrapped the dog in a blanket and the pair went outside to bury her. They had no shovel, however, so left the body in the hedge.

Two weeks after the death of this dog, the defendant purchased another dog, but contacted his partner on November 10 claiming he had run away.

The court heard: “This was the death of two dogs killed inside a month and the third dog within a year.

“There is already a live investigation into the death of another dog he allegedly killed in January 2023. Its injuries were horrific.”

Serial dog killer Liam Swift from Clogher, County Tyrone. Northern Ireland. Image: Liam Swift / Facebook

A defence barrister said his client had a troubled and complex background. He said that while Swift had some family support, “that has been significantly displaced, particularly as a result of the visceral reaction from the community to these charges”.

“Those who operate outside the law have indicated to the defendant, in no uncertain terms, that he is not to return to his property in light of the views taken.

“Offending of this type will follow him around for the rest of his life.”

The defence conceded Swift is in breach of two suspended sentences but pointed out that neither relate to animal cruelty.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan remarked: “These dogs died horrible and potentially prolonged deaths. It was extreme cruelty to animals who do not deserve to be treated by anybody like that. Cruelty at its most apparent. It was appalling behaviour.”

The judge concluded: “It is my understanding that I can make the disqualification order banning owning any animal for life and that is what I will do. This man should not be around any animal going forward.”

Sentencing | eight-month custodial for the animal cruelty offences with a further two months added for the previously suspended sentences. Lifetime ban in relation to all animals.

Belfast Telegraph

Facebook animal welfare group Northern Ireland’s Voice for the Voiceless were contacted late last year by a Clogher resident after they published details of the Liam Swift’s prosecution. The resident set out in detail the nature of Swift’s cruelty to dogs.

Prosecution of serial dog killerLiam Swift from Clogher, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Source: Facebook / Northern Ireland's Voice for the Voiceless
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

dog attack, dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Traveller Animal Crimes

Wallsend, North Tyneside: Kevin Turner

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder and alleged dog fighter Kevin Turner, born 16 June 1985, previously of Collingwood Road in North Shields but now of 47 Coach Road, Wallsend NE28 6JA – failed to take a seriously injured bulldog to the vet after she fought with another dog.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog
Worthless: Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

Turner, a traveller who runs a rubbish clearance business called Fast Waste North East, left the two-year-old dog, Babe, to suffer with extensive injuries to her head, neck and legs. Her wounds became infected leaving her in great pain.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

RSPCA inspectors paid a visit to Turner’s former home at Collingwood Road in North Shields on April 13, 2023, and found Babe with a large open wound on the right-hand side of her ear, neck and face where the skin was hanging loose. As well as the injuries to her face, neck and legs, Babe was also suffering from sore skin on her stomach and the pads of her feet.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

The RSPCA said Turner claimed he was registered with the PDSA and had been planning to take the dog to see the charity’s vets the following day. But when the inspector checked the PDSA had no record of him.

Following an RSPCA prosecution convicted heroin dealer Turnerpleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the bulldog by failing to seek veterinary care, as well as a charge of failing to ensure the dog’s needs were met.

The court heard a statement from the vet that said Babe may have lost her ear if she didn’t have surgery.

In mitigation, the court was told that Turner had kept dogs for many years without any issues.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

Babe’s damaged ear was reconstructed during surgery and she has since made a remarkable recovery. She was discharged to kennels the day after the operation and her wounds and skin infections then healed over several weeks. She remains in RSPCA care and will be rehomed soon.

Animal abuser Kevin Turner owns a waste management business called Fast Waste North East.
Animal abuser Kevin Turner owns a waste management business

After sentencing, RSPCA inspector Terri-Ann Fannon said: “Babe’s injuries were among some of the worst I’ve seen from a dog attack and the infection she suffered was horrendous. But she has done so well at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre, where she has made some new doggy friends.

“She was a bit anxious and nervous at first, but has turned out to be a lovely boisterous girl. She was so depressed when I first met her, but she’s like a different dog now, full of mischief and wanting treats and attention.”

Sentencing | jailed for 10 weeks; £360 costs plus £154 victim surcharge. 10-year ban on keeping all animals.

ChronicleLive
Mirror

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

Animal Abandonment, Reptiles / Exotics

Dufftown, Moray: Gary Ross

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CONVICTED (2023) | Gary Ross, born c. 1988, of Balvenie Street, Dufftown, Keith AB55 – neglected his bearded dragon so badly that a vet had to put him down.

Animal abuser: Gary Ross from Dufftown, Moray, Scotland.

Ross, a convicted drug dealer previously of Elgin, has been handed a year-long animal ban after bearded dragon Coco was discovered in a terrible state.

His eyes were stuck shut, he was extremely thin and dehydrated, had suffered muscle loss and was struggling to eat.

A vet, who thought Coco was already dead when he was brought in, put the dates of his neglect between December 22, 2021 and January 22, 2022.

Coco was put to sleep after enduring appalling neglect for at least a month
Coco was put to sleep after enduring appalling neglect for at least a month

Fiscal depute Victoria Silver told the court Ross’s mum contacted the SSPCA after she went to check on the pet at the Balvenie Street address.
“She advised them that the bearded dragon needed veterinary care as it couldn’t open its eyes and wouldn’t eat unless food was placed directly into its mouth.”

The charity’s chief inspector Alison Simpson contacted a veterinary surgeon about Coco and was told to try placing him in warm water to help bring his body temperature up.

“It was identified he was in extremely poor condition and extremely thin,” Ms Silver added.

“Initially, on being presented with it, the surgeon thought it was dead. It was later euthanised on welfare grounds.”

Animal abuser: Gary Ross from Dufftown, Moray, Scotland.
Ross pictured during his 2019 trial for drug dealing

Ross admitted causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards SSPCA staff.

Defence agent Iain Maltman said both background reports and a psychiatric report had been carried out on his client and highlighted a mental disorder and issues caused by head trauma.

“It appears he is living a quieter life than previously and keeps himself to himself,” the solicitor said.

“It’s a sad end to his involvement with the animal. He does look after another animal at home which his mum bought him last summer.”

Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood told the solicitor: “Your client puts all the blame on the fact he was in custody for a couple of days but it’s quite clear from Crown and the SSPCA he was responsible for the animal when it came into this state.

“From the terms of the report, it would appear his new animal is not being cared for particularly well either.”

Speaking after the sentencing, SSPCA chief inspector Alison Simpson said: “We’re pleased that Gary Ross received a ban but we’re disappointed that it wasn’t for a longer period of time given the neglect Coco suffered.

“We hope that Ross seriously considers his ability to care for any animal in future.”

Sentencing | 90 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping animals for one year (expires March 2024).

Press and Journal

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

Blackburn, Lancashire: Sajid Hussain

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CONVICTED (2023) | Sajid Hussain, born 5 February 1972, of Ripon Street, Blackburn BB1 1TW – battered a kitten with a mop handle, causing fatal injuries.

Cat killer, drug dealer and violent criminal: Sajad Hussain from Blackburn, Lancashire
Cat killer, drug dealer and violent criminal: Sajad Hussain from Blackburn, Lancashire

Hussain, who also faced charges of dealing heroin and crack cocaine, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cat.

The court heard the six-month-old cat, Mia, didn’t die until the following day but Husain prevented her owner – his then partner – from taking her to the vet and the pet was left to suffer through the night.

Carmel Wilde, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a relationship for four years but it had ended six months before the incident in November 2021. Hussain visited her house and was initially nice.

“That soon changed and she went to her bedroom and lie down and rest,” said Miss Wilde. “She hadn’t been out of the house for three weeks because she was suffering from depression.

“She said she loved the cat, which was called Mia, and it had helped to have it with her when she was depressed. She said the cat never left her side.”

Mia died a cruel and brutal death at the hands of evil Sajid Hussain from Blackburn
Mia died a cruel and brutal death at the hands of evil Sajid Hussain

Miss Wilde said Hussain entered the bedroom and objected to Mia being on the bed. He initially moved her to the bottom of the bed but then said he had had enough, put a lead around the cats neck and dragged her out of the room. She came back and this time he grabbed hold of her and took her out.

His partner went to the bathroom and heard the cat screaming, some banging and the defendant calling the cat a ‘little bitch’.

“The screaming went on for about 20 seconds but the banging continued,” said Miss Wilde. “She was too scared to leave the bathroom. He told her he had hit the cat with a mop, there was blood all over the place and he thought he had killed it.”

The woman found the cat with blood coming from her mouth, ears and paws. She mopped the blood from its mouth to help her breath but she was gurgling as her head flopped from side to side.

“She wanted to take the cat to the vets but he wouldn’t let her and said he would get in trouble,” said Miss Wilde. “The next morning the cat was still breathing but there came a point where that stopped and it was clearly dead.”

The woman managed to contact a friend who came round and confronted Hussain. He said it was alright because the cat would be “fine in paradise.”

The RSPCA were called and Mia was taken to Greater Manchester animal hospital where it was found she had a fractured skull and severe brain haemorrhaging. Fractured claws showed she had been fighting against the attack before falling unconscious.

The court heard Hussain’s previous convictions included one for assault in 2011 and a manslaughter conviction relating to an honour killing in Denmark in 1997.

The court was also told that Hussain has a lengthy history of drug misuse and suffers from poor mental health,

Hussain pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the cat and was sentenced to five months in jail for animal cruelty.

Sentencing | jailed for five months in respect of the animal cruelty charge in addition to 35 months for the drug crimes. Banned for life from keeping animals.

Lancashire Telegraph
LancsLive

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

Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne: Adam Alkour

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CONVICTED (2022) | Adam Neil Alkour, born 18 July 1990, of 87 Grafton House, Heaton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1ST – killed a cat by slitting her throat with a razor blade.

Vile Adam Alkour admitted killing the black and white female cat named Darwin in order to hide the fact he had broken her leg.

A court heard Alkour had taken over the care of the cat after her previous owners became unable to look after her.

Darwin suffered a hellish ordeal at the hands of her sadistic owner

But in a fit of anger during a supposed mental health crisis he hit her so hard he broke her leg. Having been unable to get an appointment to take her to a vet straight away, he became worried a vet would realise what he had done so decided to kill her, two days after breaking her leg.

Alex Bousfield, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told Newcastle Crown Court : “This case concerns the physical abuse and improper killing of a black and white cat, Darwin. He broke her leg, cut her throat and buried her body to avoid detection.”

The court heard Alkour had sent a message to his friend in November 2021 saying the cat had died and the friend expressed his sympathy. In January 2022, Alkour sent a further message saying “in a fit of rage” he broke her leg and had been scared the vet would know what he had done if he took her for treatment, so he killed her.

Mr Bousfield said: “He then said he had walked six miles to bury the cat then returned the next day to bury the cat again because the ground was frozen.”

When spoken to by the RSPCA, Alkour confirmed killing Darwin and said he regretted it and “didn’t butcher her”. Mr Bousfield said: “He described grabbing a razor and cutting her throat. She was in a towel and he stayed with her until she bled out.”

The court heard he said Darwin was terrified of him and a vet said the injury would have caused extreme pain and trauma, the length of which would depend on the depth of the wound, which was unknown as Darwin’s body was never found.

Jonathan Cousins, defending, said the messages Alkour sent showed “remorse”.

He said: “He couldn’t live with the guilt of what he’d done. He said ‘I hate myself to the highest degree’.”

When questioned by the RSPCA in January 2022, Alkour fully admitted to what he had done.

The court heard Alkour deeply regrets what he did “with the deepest part of my heart”.

Mr Cousins said Alkour had grown up in the care system and had suffered neglect and abuse in his life, as well as homelessness.

As a result, he suffers from PTSD and other issues, the court was told.

Alkour, who has nine previous convictions, including for burglary and possessing cannabis with intent to supply, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and two counts of a charge relating to failing to protect an animal from pain and providing veterinary care.

Sentencing | jailed for six months and disqualified from keeping animals for life.

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Dogs

Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne: Neil Coates and Vikki Hoyland

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CONVICTED (2022) | drug dealers Neil Coates, born 4 August 1971, and Vikki Hoyland aka Vikki Rafferty, born c. 1984, from Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne – kept three poorly dogs locked up in squalid conditions of neglect.

Vikki Hoyland and Neil Coates.

The RSPCA rescued Staffies Sox and Nelson and French bulldog Bella from a cramped bathroom with a mountain of faeces inside the home of their owners, Neil Coates and Vikki Hoyland. Four empty bowls were also found on the floor.

Abuse victim Sox
Sox was put to sleep on humane grounds
Abuse victim Nelson and inset foul conditions within the property
Nelson was also euthanised after developing pancreatitis

Two of the animals were so malnourished and suffering from serious underlying health problems that they were unable to stand. Bella had a severe skin infection, which had left her with red raw patches.

All three pets were taken to a vet for treatment but, sadly, Sox and Nelson had to be put to sleep.

The neglected dogs were living in filth and chaos
The neglected dogs were living in filth and chaos

RSPCA inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws found the dogs “without adequate supplies of food” and in urgent need of veterinary treatment, at the property on Kingsley Terrace, in Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle, on February 6, 2022.

She said: “The bathroom was absolutely filthy. There was a very strong smell of urine and faeces covered the floor from one side of/ithe room to the other. There was a pile of around 30 faeces next to the radiator in the room. Some of these appeared to have been there some time as they were beginning to turn white.

“The faeces had been spread across the floor and ingrained into the flooring, there were paw prints set into the faeces as if they had been there for some time. There were four bowls in the room all of which were completely empty, the bowls had faeces stuck to the side of them. The flooring had been ripped up in places.”

French bulldog Bella was suffering from a skin condition, which had caused hair loss and scabbing
French bulldog Bella was suffering from a skin condition, which had caused hair loss and scabbing. Happily she recovered in the RSPCA’s care

The animals were also malnourished and dangerously underweight, particularly Nelson whose hips, ribs, and spine were “clearly visible”.

Sadly, Nelson was put to sleep after his condition failed to improve and he was suffering from pancreatitis. Sox was also unable to recover after suffering from a malignant tumour.

Vikki Hoyland with Bella, one of the three dogs she left starving in squalor
Vikki Hoyland with Bella, one of the three dogs she left starving in squalor

Bella’s fate, however, has been far more positive after her skin condition responded well to treatment. She is to be rehomed with a loving family after a stint at Felledge Animal Centre.

Coates and Hoyland pleaded guilty to two offences each under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and were given a custodial sentence.

Sentencing | 20 weeks in jail to run concurrently to prison sentences they are both already serving for drug dealing. and will have to pay a victim surcharge of £128 each on their release. No costs were awarded because the defendants are in custody. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.

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In October 2022 Coates and Hoyland, whose address was given as Kingsley Terrace, Elswick, Newcastle, were jailed after leading police to a £28,000 drugs haul when they fell asleep in a car with the engine running and half a kilo of heroin in the footwell.

Police mugshot of convicted animal abusers and drug addicts/dealers Vikki Hoyland and Neil Coates

The pair, described in court as “hapless and shambolic”, drew attention to themselves when they parked up and nodded off in a vehicle. Police officers attended the scene and found the pair, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, with the £10,000 batch of heroin, 21g of cocaine, a knife and baton in the car.

This discovery, in Nottingham, led police to search their home in Newcastle, where another half kilo of heroin, worth more than £10,000, was found stashed in a safe, along with £1,500 in cash and weapons, including machetes, a crossbow and BB gun.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said Coates was a collector of weapons and there was no evidence of them being used. Mr Cornberg added: “People have cuckooed, taken advantage of someone who won’t rat on them and won’t fight back. Obviously this is a house where both of the people living there were taking drugs every day.”

Hoyland told the court she was a drug user and vulnerable at the time.

Coates was found guilty of possessing heroin with intent to supply after a trial and pleaded guilty to possessing the knife and baton found in the car. He was jailed for six-and-a-half years. Hoyland admitted possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. She was jailed for 40 months.

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In September 2019 the Chronicle reported that Neil Coates had been evicted from a housing association property in the Kenton area of Newcastle after a catalogue of incidents of anti-social behaviour and alleged drug dealing.

Neighbours next to the property on Banbury Road had to put up with discarded drug taking paraphernalia, car doors slamming, callers at all hours and disturbances after dark.

A communal area was splattered with blood, urine and vomit which cost £500 to clean up.