CONVICTED (2023) | greyhound trainer Rebecca Perkins, born 29 June 1981, of Hill Farm, Hunmanby Road, Burton Fleming, Driffield YO25 3PU – for the abandonment of 37 dogs in her care.
Perkins, who had been licensed to train greyhounds for 17 years, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
She was prosecuted after an unannounced inspection in September 2022 by a steward from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) uncovered a scene of horror at her kennels.
The steward was immediately struck by a foul stench from the stable block housing the dogs which left him feeling sick.
A small black greyhound was discovered lying inside a small plastic portable kennel. The dog was so weak, thin and emaciated that he struggled to get out of the kennel and could hardly walk.
Several thin, very underweight greyhounds were also found in stable blocks along with the skeleton of a small dog.
A further four dead dogs were also found at various locations. Many of the dogs were found to be extremely thin
Excrement was present across the floor of the kennels, and the smell was described as “overpowering”.
The inspector alerted the RSPCA and Inspector Claire Mitchell and animal rescue officer (ARO) Daniel Richardson attended the farm.
In the first kennel block Inspector Mitchell found a very thin greyhound whose ribs, spine and backbone were all visible. A further three thin black greyhounds were discovered in another barn which was littered with soiled pillows.
Numerous live and dead greyhounds were observed in the main kennel block.
In a witness statement, Inspector Mitchell said: “Every single kennel in this kennel block was heavily soiled with faeces and urine, as was all the bedding for the greyhounds. The smell in the (main) kennel block was overpowering and almost unbearable.”
Mr Richardson’s witness statement described the conditions in one of the kennel blocks. He said: “As we walked down the first row, we noticed nearly all of the pens had greyhounds in, several of which were deceased. There were living dogs in the kennels with the deceased dogs.
“The majority of the dogs were very skinny and several were unable to stand. I noticed the dogs were in very poor body condition, I noticed fur loss and sores on many of the dogs. One in particular had a nasty open wound on its front leg. I noticed several of the kennels containing deceased dogs that were in different stages of decay.”
Perkins signed all the greyhounds in her care over to the RSPCA. Sadly, a collapsed brindle greyhound in the poorest condition died before he reached a vet for treatment. Two further greyhounds were put to sleep that day on welfare grounds, while a further greyhound had to be put to sleep several days later.
An independent vet told the court: “I have been shown a number of photographs of the conditions all the dogs were living in and would say that their needs haven’t been met as required by good practice due to the heavily soiled living area.
“In my opinion all 37 dogs were suffering for a minimum of two weeks, but likely several weeks, possibly a couple of months, due to their multiple issues.”
Some of the greyhounds examined by a vet were given a 1/9 body score – the lowest – indicating they were emaciated.
Fortunately, all of the surviving dogs did very well in RSPCA care, gaining significant weight, and the process of rehoming is well under way.
In court, Perkins admitted causing 37 greyhounds to suffer unnecessarily as a result of her failure to secure veterinary attention addressing their poor body condition. She also admitted causing three of the greyhounds to suffer after failing to ensure vet care to address lameness and sores; and to failing to provide a suitable, hygienic environment for 35 of the greyhounds.
In mitigation, the court heard that Perkins pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. She also cited a recent health scare and financial issues.
Speaking after sentencing, Mr Richardson said: “This distressing case saw a large number of greyhounds suffer in their owner’s care due to a failure to get them urgent veterinary treatment they so clearly needed. The conditions at the property were wholly unacceptable, with faeces everywhere and an overpowering smell, all of which contributed to a totally inappropriate and illegal environment.
“Looking after a large number of greyhounds like this can be very challenging – and clearly they were badly let down on this occasion, to such an extent that a number had to be put to sleep given the severity of the welfare problems. Thankfully, once in RSPCA care, the greyhounds that survived have done very well and gained significant weight. The process of rehoming these dogs is underway – offering them each a second chance of forever home happiness.”
Perkins was given three weeks to make arrangements for her other animals, which were not part of the prosecution, and had not been previously signed over to the RSPCA. The charity is now monitoring this.
Sentencing | jailed for a total of 36 weeks; £187 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals but may appeal after just 10 years.