CONVICTED (2024) | James Baker, born April 1969, Sarah Jayne Baker (aka Sarah Jayne Baker-Ryan), born December 1990, both of 4 William West Road, Par PL24 2GA and Darren Laker, born c. 1977, also from Par – starved and neglected horses, ponies, a donkey and a goat at their equine therapy centre.
Sarah Jayne Baker and husband James Baker faced multiple counts of cruelty in relation to animals in their care
In what was described as one of the worst cases of animal neglect in Cornwall’s history, married couple James and Sarah Baker and their stable hand Darren Laker admitted cruelty charges in relation to multiple animals.
Concerns were raised by a member of the public when some animals were seen malnourished and in a poor state
The Bakers ran a community interest company called Family Nest Equine Therapy, now dissolved, which ran pony parties, riding lessons and therapy for veterans. The equine centre was latterly based near Driving Lane, Par.
Darren Laker
Francesca Whebell, prosecuting, on behalf of the RSPCA, said that the Bakers were first warned to improve the living conditions for the animals in their care while they ran the charity in Holsworthy, Devon, back in 2020. When the couple sold up the land following an alleged neighbourly dispute, they moved to Par in a rush with dozens of horses, donkeys, and other animals.
Ms Whebell told the court that RSPCA inspectors visited them again at the site in Par in 2022 and continued to express strong concerns about failings in animal welfare. She said some of the animals had no shade, no shelter, mouldy hay or no food and often little to no access to water.
She said that some of the animals had untreated wounds and were lame and had to be taken to a vet for immediate treatment.
One horse was found dead in a field. Horses and other animals were emaciated, thin, and visibly malnourished.
Ms Whebell told the court that when RSPCA inspectors turned up the Bakers never took responsibility for the neglect they inflicted on the animals. The Bakers told shocked inspectors that “when you have livestock you sometimes have dead stock”.
She said: “There has been a complete disregard for animal welfare. Some of the animals had been suffering for months.”
Ramsay Quaife, defending Laker, said his client apologised for his involvement.
Sarah Baker aka Sarah Jayne Baker-Ryan or just Sarah Ryan
Sarah Baker, who was unrepresented, told the court that many of the animals had been “dumped on them”. She said when they had to uproot and move to Par, many of the owners no longer wanted them.
She said: “We tried our hardest to get these animals back to health. But we were not given a chance. It was too much hard work for us. I wish I had contacted the RSPCA much sooner.”
She told the court that Family Nest had done a lot of good over the years, providing horse therapy to both veterans, her husband being a veteran too, as well as children with special needs. The CIC had been featured on ITV South West.
Mrs Baker added: “I welcome the ban. I’m sad that it has taken this long to get to this point. We’re tired. We don’t want anything to do with horses anymore. We don’t want to go near or ride a horse ever again. The last few years have been hell for us.”
When Judge Simon Carr noted that she had not shown an ounce of remorse Sarah Baker said she was “more sorry than I could ever be. That’s why I’m so exhausted. I took every course I could to help the animals and the future of the yard. I welcome the ban. I don’t want to think of having animals in my care again. I don’t ever want to be responsible for an animal ever again.”
The Bakers, who run SJ’s Coffee House in Eastcliffe Road, Par, told the court they had no way of paying for the £77,000 the prosecution was asking for the care of the animals, as well as legal fees, as they have no money.
Sentencing the trio, Judge Carr said it was one of the worst cases of animal neglect he had seen.
“They would have been in agony, not only from wounds but also malnutrition,” he said.
“There is no excuse for what you both did.”
Sentencing |
The Bakers were jailed for nine months for each count, suspended for two years. Disqualified from owning any animal for life.
Laker was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. Disqualified from owning an equine for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder Simon Hobbs, born 19 September 1977, of 23 Davies Drive, Caerphilly CF83 3RG – kept neglected and malnourished dogs in inhumane conditions.
On 8 February 2024 Simon Hobbs pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to five dogs including a pregnant Belgian Malinois.
He was prosecuted following an investigation by Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards team who executed a number of warrants, in June 2023.
Trading Standards and Gwent Police officers accompanied by a vet carried out a search of Hobbs’ home and found six dogs in the kitchen with three of them – French bulldogs – housed in a very small cage.
Conditions in the kitchen were cramped, overcrowded and uncomfortable with little room to play, toilet and feed.
The dogs shared one food tray and two bowls of water.
A pregnant Belgian Malinois was significantly underweight. She gave birth to eight puppies 10 days later.
An Akita was found in an outside lean-to wooden kennel in direct sunlight, with no soft bedding or enrichment. Temperatures recorded early in the day, exceeded 26 degrees, the maximum accepted temperature for dogs.
Three dogs were found with conditions which caused them unnecessary suffering due to a lack of veterinary intervention and management.
The dogs were removed and placed into the care of Hope Rescue with the Malinois and her litter in need of intensive care to ensure their survival.
Sara Rosser, Operations Manager of Hope Rescue Centre said, “We were pleased to be able to support the hard work of Caerphilly County Borough Council with this case. It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions.
“The dogs needed vet treatment and specialist care – one of the dogs who especially touched and saddened us was the Malinois who we named Jinx.
“As well as being in an awful condition, she was pregnant. We were very concerned that she would not have the strength to give birth and care for her litter but thanks for the hard work of the Hope Rescue Team, all eight puppies survived, and Jinx is now thriving.
“We are delighted that most of the dogs have already found loving new homes.’
Sentencing | ordered to pay £8,388.73 in fines, costs and a surcharge. He was disqualified from keeping all animals for five years (expires February 2029).
CONVICTED (2023) | Brenda Pilling, born c. 1980, and partner Darren Horsford, born c. 1974, of Mardale Road, Huton – for the shocking neglect of multiple dogs, leading to the deaths of two of them.
Police were called to the home of Brenda Pilling and Darren Horsford on on June 14, 2022, after receiving reports of a dog being “left out in the heat with no food or water”.
Peter Mitchell, prosecuting, described how Ibizan hound Missy was found by officers “in a collapsed state” and “malnourished and lifeless” on the “extremely hot day”.
As arrangements were being made for her to be removed from the property, Horsford and Pilling arrived at the address – where two other dogs were also being kept – and were said to have behaved in a “hostile and aggressive” manner. They claimed that the pet in question was being treated by vet charity the PDSA
The RSPCA then visited on June 17, 2022, and found an underweight German shepherd called Nala, who was “struggling to walk normally” due to hip dysplasia.
A Staffordshire bull terrier-type by the name of Smokey was also found to be underweight.
Under interview with inspectors, Pilling claimed that she had been feeding Missy a diet of pasta, chicken, rice, salmon and eggs since she had begun to lose weight around mid-May, but that this had not brought about an improvement.
Pilling stated that they had then taken her to the PDSA, who “said there was nothing wrong with the dog”.
The charity had no records of such a visit however.
When Horsford was spoken to, he said he “smelled a rat” and suspected they had “given the wrong diagnosis and were trying to cover it up”.
Upon examination, Missy was found to weigh 10.75kg – or “at least 50 per cent underweight” – and was unable to stand. She then contracted pyometra, an infection of the womb which would “normally be easily treatable”.
But the dog was deemed unable to undergo anaesthesia due to her emaciated condition. She was therefore put to sleep “on humane grounds”.
Nala, who weighed in at 24.2kg, was said to have an “abnormal gait” and was “cow hocked”. She was said to be in “clear pain” and was also euthanized.
Smokey meanwhile had “no other health issues” other than being underweight at 13.4kg, and remains in the care of the RSPCA.
The charity’s investigation found that the dogs’ conditions were “most likely due to an inadequate diet”.
Kevin Liston, appearing on behalf of Pilling, said of the mum to two disabled children: “She is somebody who is not malicious towards animals but is someone who is deficient, both in terms of her personal capacity and finances, to address those conditions.
“She is someone who has sponsored animal charities over the years, she took these animals in from rescue centres.
“These dogs were looked after and in a good state for a period of time. She has accepted responsibility in part and displayed a level of remorse.
“She is someone who was moved and upset when informed of the fact they had been euthanized. She has had dogs for a number of years.”
Oliver Saddington, defending Horsford, told the court: “The suffering was unnecessary, and he is prepared to take his punishment for it. He wants to apologise.
“It is clear he is someone with affection in his life. He is a father and a carer.”
Horsford and Pilling were both found guilty of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to comply with the duties of a person responsible for an animal to ensure welfare following a trial, which was held in their absence at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.
Sentencing the pair, the judge said: “These were prolonged and repeated incidences of neglect with a deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animals.
“It is clear that these animals would have suffered. There are certainly personal issues within your lives which may put the offences into context.
“It is also clear there may be issues with regards to finances in the family home, trying to feed three dogs as well as keeping a roof over your heads.
“I am satisfied that you are not fit and proper persons to own or keep dogs.”
Sentencing | 34-week custodial suspended for one year; 25 days of rehabilitation activity. Horsford was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work. £3,392 in costs to be deducted from their benefits. Both were given a a 10-year ban on keeping all animals. Deprivation order on a fourth dog called Bud.
CONVICTED (2023) | Walter Rangariria Kanhukamwe, born July 2001, of Somerton Road, Newport NP19 but with links to Bloxwich in Walsall, West Midlands -for cruelty to a dog found collapsed due to heat exhaustion.
Following an RSPCA prosecution in relation to two American bulldog type dogs called Crystal and Peachey, Kanhukamwe was found guilty of animal welfare offences.
He had denied the offences but was convicted following a trial.
Kanhukamwe was found guilty of exposing Crystal “to high temperatures without providing the dog with suitable shelter or a sufficient amount of water”.
The offence was committed during a heatwave last summer on July 19, 2022.
He also failed to provide Crystal and Peachey with adequate shelter, a suitable clean dry lying area, suitable bedding, veterinary attention, fresh water, appropriate companionship and exercise.
The second offence took place between October 16, 2021 and July 19, 2022.
In a written statement presented to the court from RSPCA inspector Emma Smith, she said she was made aware of an incident where police removed Crystal from a garden after she was found ‘in a collapsed state suffering from heat exhaustion’. This incident was subsequently passed onto the RSPCA for investigation.
Crystal had been left without adequate water or shelter during hot weather and suffered near-fatal hyperthermia
A vet who saw Crystal in July 2022 told the court the dog was presented “after being seized due to being collapsed in a garden with no shade or water on what was an extremely hot day (30 degrees Celsius at the time of the incident with minimal cloud cover).”
“When she was brought in, this was after she had been left in a garden, since the evening before (arrived approximately 2pm). She had initially been actively cooled by the neighbours prior to her arrival,” she said.
“On arrival she was panting, almost in respiratory distress she was panting so much (they do this in an attempt to cool down as they cannot perspire).
“Her temperature when she came to us was 39.8, we class this as hyperthermia as it is an extreme increase of temperature but not due to an underlying disease (normal temperature should not exceed 38.5 degrees Celsius) and this was after she had been cooled down.
“From my clinical point of view, this dog was on the verge of going into heat stroke and from being this temperature could still have showed signs a few days later.
It was lucky she was found when she was as the consequences very likely would have been fatal if her temperature was not brought down to normal within the next hour/so, despite this she would have also become progressively more dehydrated.”
She added: “By not seeking veterinary attention in my professional opinion the owner of this dog failed in their duty of care to the dog with respect to the hyperthermia, verging on heat stroke and dehydration through his neglect caused the dog to suffer unnecessarily.”
The court also heard that the RSPCA had visited the home of Kanhukamwe multiple times before this incident due to concerns about two dogs being left for long periods and left in unsuitable conditions.
RSPCA inspectors issued Animal Welfare Warning notices and requested improvements were made in respect to Crystal’s and Peaches’ environment.
Crystal also had a condition known as cherry eye which RSPCA inspectors requested was seen by a vet.
During one visit, inspector Smith said: “He confirmed to me that Crystal had come to him with a cherry eye and that he was using drops on her which the previous owner had given him. He advised that he had not taken her to see a vet as he believed they would want to remove the lump and he was not prepared to have this surgery done.”
She spoke to him about the environment the dogs were living in.
“He claimed that the dogs had cardboard available to them for bedding and that there were no hazards present. He said he didn’t provide any other form of bedding as the dogs were destructive and would shred it.”
In March 2023 Kanhukamwe was jailed for 21 months after waving a hunting knife above his head in Cardiff before calmly entering a café. The court heard he had seven previous convictions, including the possession of a knife in 2018.
Sentencing | immediate 16-week custodial. Three-year ban on owning or keeping dogs (expires July 2026).
CONVICTED (2023) | backyard pet breeder Navdeep Singh aka Rozer Sandhu or Navdeep Singh Sandhu, born August 1984, of 37 Culver Road, Stockport SK3 8PG – kept malnourished dogs and cats in appalling conditions.
Self-proclaimed ‘TikTok star’ Navdeep Singh kept dogs in ‘faeces-strewn yard’ and cats in a baking hot aviary without water. Image source: Rozer Sandhu, Facebook
Singh, a self-proclaimed TikTok star who came to the UK from India, pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to several French bulldogs and Bengal cats kept in grim conditions at his home.
Four French bulldogs were found in a faeces-strewn yard with a further four malnourished puppies discovered in a garage.
The RSPCA had previously issued Singh with warnings to clear up the yard and cattery and take one of the puppies to the vet, but he failed to take action.
RSPCA inspector Beth Fazakerley subsequently attended Singh’s home with two police officers and found adult bulldogs Luna, Rocky, Daisy and Blue in the filthy yard. Four puppies, described as underweight with bones prominent through their skin, were found hunched up among ripped up cardboard and faeces in the garage of the property.
Five Bengal cats were being kept in an aviary, where they were fully exposed to the elements as temperatures soared as high as 36C.
Inspector Fazakerley also witnessed five cats housed in four separate rooms in a back garden aviary during a searing heatwave. Singh had also failed to provide the animals with clean water.
Inspector Fazakerley : “The first thing I noticed as I walked through the main door of the aviary was the extreme heat – within seconds I was sweating profusely and just walking around was uncomfortable.
“I took the temperature on my temperature gun and in the cleanest area for the cats it reached 36C. It was cooler in the rear, but there was virtually nowhere for the cats to lie down that was comfortable and clean from faeces and urine. Throughout the enclosure there was straw, piles of rubbish, empty bin bags, old food wrappers and a heat lamp switched on in a crate.”
Another RSPCA inspector Heather Morris told the court that Singh had said he was “making large amounts of money” from his TikTok videos.
She added: “He said he was quite busy and was planning on selling the house as his relationship had broken down with his girlfriend. He admitted that he wasn’t doing enough for the animals.”
All of the animals were seized and taken to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital. Singh later signed over the puppies and and two litters of two kittens who were born after the cats were removed from the property.
A vet’s expert report stated that all four of the puppies were very thin, scoring one out of nine on a body condition score when an ideal weight would be four or five.
The vet added: “It is clear the cats’ accommodation was excessively hot and would have had a negative impact on these animals, particularly as they had no access to water.
“While the temperatures measured in the puppies’ accommodation were within the acceptable range, French bulldogs are extremely susceptible to heat stroke due to their brachycephalic conformation and this can have a significant, negative welfare impact and even be fatal if left untreated.
“A number of the adults were seen panting and the original call to the police related to the dogs being distressed due to the heat. Brachycephalic dogs must be kept at cooler temperatures than other dog breeds. They should actively be kept out of the sun, have access to fresh clean water and ventilation, such as a fan.”
Sentencing | fined £8,199.98 and ordered to pay the RSPCA’s prosecution costs of £1,086.98. Banned from owning animals for six years (expires April 2029).
CONVICTED (2023) | Sarah Bliss, age unknown, of Upper Rectory Farm, Daglingworth, Cirencester GL7 7HY – ran an unlicensed boarding kennels business where a dog died from heatstroke.
Cotswold Hunt member Sarah Bliss caused the death of a dog at her illegal boarding kennels business
Bliss, a huntswoman with the Cotswold Hunt, pleaded guilty to boarding dogs at her home address without a licence and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The court heard a dog named Fig was in the Bliss’s care when boarding in the kennels at her home address in August 2022.
Cotswold District Council said Bliss failed to provide any monitoring of the dogs over a period of six hours during very hot temperatures.
Bliss failed to protect Fig and prevent unnecessary suffering caused by heatstroke – which caused the death of the dog later that day in the vet practice.
She was not licensed to provide kennel boarding for dogs at that time. Mrs Bliss had previously been licensed and despite taking on new bookings, had allowed the licence to lapse without renewing it.
Bliss pleaded guilty to both offences.
The court heard she has since closed the kennels.
Sentencing | fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge.
CONVICTED (2023)| professional dog walker Pamela Fisher, born c. 1963, of Chaloners Road, Dringhouses, York YO24 2TN – caused the death of a dog by leaving him in her van during a heatwave.
Fisher pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering in relation to a cocker spaniel called Teddy, who died of heatstroke while in her care.
RSPCA prosecutor Phil Brown told the court that Fisher was “grossly negligent in her duty of care to Teddy. As a result of her negligence, unfortunately, the dog suffered and subsequently died.
“We cannot say how much the suffering was. It was extreme, though for a short time we hope.”
According to the Met Office, temperatures in the shade reached 33C in York that day.
Mr Brown said Teddy’s owner arranged for Fisher to collect the dog, walk him and return him home while she was at work on August 11, 2022.
But when she arrived home at 6.10pm, there was no sign of the dog.
She rang Fisher who confirmed she had taken Teddy with other dogs for a walk.
But when she took the other dogs back to their owners, “she had simply forgotten to take Teddy back. Teddy was left inside her van. She carried on with the rest of her day,” said Mr Brown. That had included going to her hairdressers.
By the time she realised her mistake it was too late.
The dog’s owner called in the RSPCA.
Interviewed by an RSPCA inspector, Fisher said she had a standard order for delivering the four dogs she walked that day to their homes. On that day, for some reason, the order was changed, which led to her forgetting to deliver Teddy.
She had run her dog walking business for seven and a half years but had now closed it for good.
A vet statement said: “It is my opinion that the likely cause of Teddy’s death was heat stroke. Dogs can develop heat stroke and die within an hour in hot weather. It is unknown how long and how quickly Teddy died. It is likely that Teddy will have suffered.”
Fisher’s lawyer handed in testimonials and other documents which led the judge to declare Fisher had an “impeccable” character. She had no previous convictions.
Mr Brown said the RSPCA had no concerns about the way Fisher looked after her own two dogs.
Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Claire Mitchell said: “Fisher had confirmed that she’d forgotten to drop Teddy off back at his owner’s and he’d been in the back of the van for five hours. The temperature that day was 30c.
“We hope this tragic case reminds people that the risk to the lives of animals is so high. Our message is simple: never leave a dog in a hot car – ‘not long’ is too long, and if you see a dog in a hot car, call 999 immediately.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement; £400 prosecution costs and £114 victim surcharge. Banned from transporting or dealing with dogs commercially for three years (expires March 2026).
CONVICTED (2023) | professional dog-sitter Janine Maloney, aka Janine Malone, born 27 May 1974, of Maesteg Road, Tondu, Bridgend CF32 0DP – caused the deaths of two dogs in her care by leaving them in a hot vehicle.
Maloney, owner of Pet Patrol Club, left four-year-old French bulldogs Lila and Phab in her car, believed to be a Kia Sorento, where they died from heat stroke or heat stress.
The two dogs died in temperatures of between 16C and 22C.
In a statement from the RSPCA, deputy chief inspector Gemma Black said she met with the owner of the two dogs who was “very emotional about what had happened.”
Janine Maloney caused the death of Lila and Phab by leaving them in her car for hours without water and closed windows on a hot sunny day
DCI Black added: “She (the owner) told me that Ms Maloney had returned to her address on Sunday 5 September 2021 with the dogs dead.
“She told me that Ms Maloney claimed to have left them in the car during the Sunday, during hot weather and she believed this was how they died.”
On the day, temperatures ranged between 16C at 10am and 22C at 5pm, with the dogs dying sometime during that timeframe.
The dogs had been left in the car without water or air conditioning and without any windows left open.
In written evidence, a vet said they believed the dogs “have been caused to suffer” and their needs “have not been met to the extent required by good practice”.
The evidence described how the two dogs had been left in the car without any access to water, with no windows open or air conditioning.
The statement added: “The post mortem evidence showed that both dogs were found to have pathology changes consistent with having died via a mechanism of heat stroke/stress, having a number of haemorrhagic areas in the body.
“Both dogs were French Bulldogs having a shortened nose anatomy (brachycephalic) that had also been affected by Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). They were also both overweight which likely contributed to their susceptibility to heat stress.
“Undoubtedly the two dogs would have suffered as a consequence of excessive heat in the car under the circumstances of an external environmental temperature above 20C, poor ventilation and no access to water.
“Suffering will have been experienced by these two dogs via a mechanism of escalating respiratory distress and an inability to effectively dissipate body heat.”
In court, Maloney pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs and failing to meet their needs.
The court heard she has since closed the business.
The District Judge said there was a “blatant lack of care” on the part of Maloney who had done nothing on the day and did not check on the dogs.
Speaking after sentencing DCI Black, said: “I would like to thank my colleagues, inspector Julie Fadden and deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper, for their work on this heart-breaking case – and all of our thoughts go out to the owner of Lila and Phab.
“We hope this tragic case reminds people that the risk to the lives of animals is so high.
“Our message is simple: never leave a dog in a hot car – ‘not long’ is too long, and if you see a dog in a hot car, call 999 immediately.”
Sentencing | 16-week suspended prison sentence; 15 day Rehabilitation Activity requirement; six month alcohol programme; £500 in costs and £500 compensation to the dog owner. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.
Maloney appeared again at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on February 20, 2024, after she pleaded guilty to breaching a ban between May and July 2023 and again in December 2023.
The RSPCA, prosecuting, told the court it had obtained evidence that Maloney was breaching her ban by owning a dog and was also caring for other people’s dogs.
Maloney, now of Bridgend Road, Aberkenfig, received 18 weeks’ custody and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154. An order was put in place for her dog Badger to be rehomed within 14 days. She is also banned from keeping dogs from February 6, 2023.
Bridgend woman jailed for 18 weeks after breaching disqualification order
RSPCA obtained evidence showing she had dogs in her care
A Bridgend woman has been jailed after she admitted breaching a disqualification order where she had been banned from keeping dogs for five years.
Janine Maloney (d.o.b 27/05/1974) of Bridgend Road, Aberkenfig, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 20 February after previously pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act on 15 December 2023.
The first offence related to a breach of ban between 21 May and 6 July 2023 – the second offence related to a further breach on 9 December 2023. The court heard that the RSPCA obtained evidence that she was breaching her ban by owning a dog and was also caring for other people’s dogs.
Maloney was seen having a dog with her whilst having a meeting, she was seen accepting two dogs and all their belongings from a third party before driving off with them in her car, and was seen walking a dog believed to be hers from a car to a flat.
Maloney was handed a disqualification order in respect to dogs for five years by Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 6 February 2023.
She was also handed a suspended sentence order back in 2023, which at the sentencing hearing on 20 February, was activated in part, which resulted in Maloney having a 12 week custodial sentence imposed.
She was also sentenced to a further four weeks custody – to run consecutively for the first offence – and another two weeks custody for the second offence. Therefore the total custodial sentence was 18 weeks.
Maloney was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and an order for her dog Badger was made depriving her ownership. A family friend was appointed to rehome Badger within 14 days.
In addition, a new disqualification order banning her from keeping dogs for five years was imposed, with the time to contest the order made at three years.
In mitigation it was heard that she had a dependence on dogs for emotional support which has developed over years and there was no actual harm caused in the two breach cases. The court heard that she now understands the order.
In sentencing, the judge in the case said: “My view is this is a flagrant and deliberate breach where you have chosen to deliberately ignore the order. Your offending continued even after a summons was served upon you.”
RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Cooper said: “We’d like to thank those who helped us in our investigations.
“It is important to reiterate to the public that we rely on them to tell us if someone has breached a ban. We depend on the public to be our eyes and ears and we take breaches of bans very seriously – as do the courts.”
Additional Information
On 28 February 2024 – the same day that Janine Maloney was finally put behind bars – Steph Pendleton, the owner of Lila and Phab, wrote the following post on Facebook alleging that the prosecution case against Maloney was essentially the tip of the iceberg.
She said: “The RSPCA press release about JM [Janine Maloney] today can only report the overview and custodial sentence. There is a much wider picture here.
“My girls were never coming home but I knew this woman was a danger to families and pets. It was about doing the right thing:: justice, protection, prevention and awareness.
“She has never shown any remorse, quite the opposite, and we were subject to indirect and direct bullying, intimidation and harassment in order to drop the case.
“She is a master at manipulation and lying.
“I shall answer below the most asked questions.
JM s elderly mother who she blamed for the death of my dogs is safe and being well looked after now as JM was her carer.
The death of my girls was no accident. They suffered as the autopsies showed. The cruelty and neglect started as soon as they were put into her care under the trading name of Pet Patrol. In reality they were kept where the other animals were rescued from.
She pleaded guilty to 2 offences under the Animal Welfare Act,the evidence was overwhelming remember.
Obtaining animals by deception has been done under Jo Byrne, one of the names she uses.
One parrot a family had possessed for 35 years and they had been searching for her for months.
Polly was rescued from JMs home traumatised and hungry. She sleeps a lot at the mo but shes home now.🤞for her recovery.
When she started a new company Move my Horse using the name Jo Byrne the calls started to come in: – obtaining money and not turning up – childs pony injured – driving while under the influence etc etc.
Defra and the police have ongoing criminal investigations.
She continued to flout the law, working and keeping dogs, contrary to probation conditions.
She claimed at her last court appearance to have one dog still in her care which breached her conditions. But on Friday after a call by the family friend to the RSPCA they were asked to rescue her other animals!! ?? What animals ?
At her home in terrible filthy conditions, floors, walls, you could barely breath were 8 dogs, sliders and a parrot in various conditions. Starving and thirsty of course.
They then had to rescue her horses and sheep.
Gemma Cooper of the RSPCA has worked tirelessly to ensure that justice mattered for the girls and that other animals have been protected.
You also have other families and pets that have been affected by her actions but its not for me to name them but to thank our community for doing the right thing 👍
I’m sure she will return to her old ways and use another name when released from prison. She does not care about anyone, anything or the law so we need to make people aware of her.”
CONVICTED (2023) | Kirsty Maxine Bradley, born 4 August 1990, of Edinburgh Avenue, Bentley, Walsall WS2 0JD – left three malnourished dogs in the garden of her abandoned home during a heatwave.
Mother-of-two Kirsty Bradley moved out of her home, leaving behind French bulldogs Ola and Missy and a crossbreed called Sheba in the garden. The dogs, two of whom were emaciated, had no food or water and were fully exposed to the elements as temperatures soared.
The dogs were kept alive by the intervention of a vigilant neighbour who gave them water over the fence.
All three dogs were suffering from malnutrition and dehydration when they were examined by a vet following their rescue.
The vet’s report said: “This suffering would have been avoided if they had been offered adequate food and water. The dogs were kept in an area of the yard where there was no shade or shelter.
“With the exceptionally hot weather we had over the weekend this happened, this could well have been a fatal outcome for the dogs except for the neighbour’s intervention in providing some water over the fence.”
The dogs were found to be very underweight, with both Ola and Sheba deemed to be in an emaciated condition by veterinary experts.
Bradley was investigated and prosecuted by the RSPCA after the charity received reports of concern for the welfare of the dogs.
In court she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals by failing to ensure access to a suitable diet including fresh drinking water. She also admitted failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of animals were met. Both offences were committed between June 26 to July 19, 2022.
It was during this period that the UK broke its temperature record, with 40.3C recorded on thermometers at Coningsby, Lincolnshire on July 19.
In mitigation, Bradley was said to be sorry for her actions and said she had been struggling with her mental health at the time.
She admitted leaving the dogs home alone having left the property to stay elsewhere, only returning occasionally to pick up clothing, and said she was remorseful and should have put measures in place to ensure the dogs had the care they needed in her absence.
The court ordered that the dogs, who have been cared for by the RSPCA since they were rescued, could also be signed over to the charity so they can be found new homes.
Sentencing | community order, with including 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 12-week electronic curfew; total of £514 in costs and surcharge. A 10-year ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2022) | Mark Agyeman-Anan, born c. 1995, previously of Elfrida Crescent, Catford, Lewisham, London SE6 3EL but with links to Portslade, Hove and now said to be living in Hastings – left three dogs with no access to water in a hot vehicle.
Mark Agyeman-Anan pictured leaving court. Source: Brighton and Hove News.
In September 2012 Mark Agyeman-Anan’s mother, Deborah Yeboah-Adjei, was given a 10-year ban on owning animals after letting nine dogs and puppies fight each other in the faeces-strewn family home.
Yeboah-Adjei, who has since died, told the court the dogs belonged to her son, but she took all the blame and Ageyman-Anan faced no punishment.
Two of the injured dogs rescued from Mark Agyeman-Anan’s family home in Lewisham in 2012.
The dogs were covered in wounds, scars and mange, One wounded dog had been tied to a radiator and was helpless as he was attacked by others. Another dog was found with multiple bites to the face.
Ten years later, Mark Agyeman-Anan has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after leaving bull terrier-type dogs Prince, Dior and Caramel unattended for two hours in a van in Portslad on a hot summer day.
Agyeman-Anan had denied three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs but was found guilty after a trial.
He had left them in the van without access to water and failed to check on their welfare.
A fourth charge of possessing a dangerous dog was dismissed after expert evidence that Caramel is not a pit bull terrier. The ruling means she will not now face being destroyed.
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and five rehabilitation days. £10,000 compensation. Five-year ban on keeping dogs (expires July 2027).
