CONVICTED (2024) | Collette Carre, born c. 1966, of Acacia Grove, March PE15 8HY – failed to treat a greyhound gravely ill with a 14cm tumour that covered her snout and muzzle.
Cruel and vile Collette Carre said that financial difficulties and mental health problems prevented her from taking her dying dog to a vet
Carre pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the female greyhound type dog called Defa by failing to seek prompt veterinary care for the grapefruit-sized tumorous mass on her snout/muzzle, as well as weight loss and her poor bodily condition.
The RSPCA was alerted after Carre attended a veterinary practice to have the dog put to sleep.
Carre turned a blind eye to the suffering of emaciated Defa who had a huge tumour on her snout
A vet who examined Defa said in a statement that she was emaciated and had a large putrefying and necrosing tumour over her upper jaw obliterating the nostrils and there was an overpowering smell of rotting flesh and purulent discharge.
This would affect the dog’s ability to eat, drink and pant.
The examination found that she was dehydrated and hungry but was unable to eat and drink. The vet said the tumour would have been incredibly painful and estimated that she had been left to suffer for at least two months.
RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight said after the case: “We as pet owners have a responsibility to do the right thing for our animals – sadly this was not the case for poor Defa.
“It would not take any medical or veterinary expertise to see Defa was suffering and should have been taken to a vet sooner.”
In mitigation, the defendant said it was a result of mental health issues and financial difficulties.
Sentencing | 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; community order with mental health treatment requirement and rehabilitation activity; £187 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.
CONVICTED (2024) | Carol Ann Gravenor, born 2 May 1956, of Coed Main, Caerphilly CF83 1RS – allowed wild birds to suffer at her so-called sanctuary.
Bird rescuer Carol Gravenor kept multiple injured birds in filthy conditions
Gravenor, owner of Caerphilly Bird Rescue, pleaded guilty to six animal welfare offences after 26 wild birds were found in an unsuitable environment with their needs not being met. Many were in a suffering state.
The birds included pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon and a common buzzard.
These birds were found with numerous ailments and injuries which had not been treated adequately, including fractured wings, damaged eyes and legs, and bumble foot condition.
The environment and bird cages were found to be unhygienic and hazardous and an RSPCA inspector found predator and prey species being kept in close proximity to one another.
A peregrine falcon with a missing eye was found in a filthy cage too small to spread its wings, the RSPCA said.
It had to be put down along with 20 others.
In a written statement heard by Newport Magistrates’ Court, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben described unhygienic and hazardous conditions found during an inspection of the centre in April 2023.
The wild birds found included pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon and a common buzzard.
Some were living in a kitchen inside the property, he said, while others were loose in the garden and some were caged in sheds, and 20 were found dead.
“There were many empty soiled bird cages piled on top of each other in the garden,” he said.
“In the back garden were several pigeons walking around that looked to have dropped wings along with some domestic ducks, a domestic goose and a chicken that was obviously lame.
“We were invited into the house and on the kitchen table were two fledgling blackbirds and a nestling pigeon.”
A cardboard box on a kitchen unit also held Jackdaw with an injured eye.
Mr Hogben said he found “a peregrine falcon bird with its left eye missing” in a shed.
“The environment was poor with no water and a filthy cage which was too small for the falcon to spread its wings in all directions.
“Within two feet [0.6m] of this cage containing the peregrine falcon was another cage containing eight pigeons.
“This cage was in full sight of the cage containing the peregrine falcon, and again had no water and the cage was in a filthy condition with hardly any perches.”
RSPCA inspectors found 20 dead birds at the centre
All the birds were sent for assessment by a wildlife veterinarian at the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where just five pigeons were deemed fit to be given the chance of rehabilitation.
Gravenor admitted failing to take steps to ensure the needs of the 26 birds were met as required – as well as five offences relating to causing unnecessary suffering to 17 birds (full wording below).
In mitigation, her solicitor said her intention was only ever to help birds and animals, and that she had tried her best, but they accepted the contents of expert veterinary reports as she was not an expert herself.
He confirmed his client had been “overwhelmed” and “swamped” by the situation.
Following sentencing inspector Hogben said: “Keeping and rehabilitating wild birds is a huge commitment requiring specialist knowledge, husbandry, equipment and accommodation.
“While most rescues and sanctuary owners start out with the best intentions, sadly, vulnerable animals entering these establishments can sometimes end up in even worse situations than they were in already, with sanctuary owners ending up in situations not realising the severity of the problems with their establishments until it is too late.
“In this case we appreciate the well-meaning intentions to help rescue and rehabilitate wild birds in need. However, it is always imperative to seek prompt veterinary care, including seeking advice on whether birds can be successfully rehabilitated, whilst also housing any birds in an appropriate and clean environment – and clearly the consequences of failing to do that here were serious for the birds involved.”
Sentencing | 14-week custodial, suspended for 12 month; ordered to pay £300 plus £154 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2024) | Daryl Burgess, born 6 April 1992, of Chantry Close, Clacton CO16 9QL – starved his dog to death.
Burgess was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the skeletal remains of the young mastiff-type dog named Patch were found in his garden. The horrific discovery was made on 12 January 2023 by police officers pursuing a suspect.
The RSPCA was alerted and an investigation was started.
RSPCA inspector Emma Beynon said: “I was shocked and upset to see the condition he was in.
“Every single bone could be seen in his body, he looked like a skeleton. Patch would not have even been two years old.”
A vet who examined Patch gave him a body condition score of zero out of nine and said the owner “should have .. sought medical advice and treatment”.
They continued: “By not seeking veterinary advice they would have been failing to meet the animal’s needs, causing the suffering of the animal.
“It would have taken days to weeks to reach a body condition score this low.”
In court, Burgess pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to adequately explore and address the dog’s weight loss.
In mitigation sick Burgess, who represented himself, described Patch’s wilful killing as “an unfortunate event”.
Speaking after the conviction, inspector Beynon described the case as “truly heart-breaking”.
She added: “This was a deliberate disregard for Patch which resulted in his sad death.
“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 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 and Patch was left to suffer.”
Sentencing | 23 weeks in prison; £300 costs and £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all animals for life.
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeders Stephanie Boyd, born c. 1981, and Daniel Jordan, born c. 1988, of Uxbridge Grove, Marfleet, Hull HU9 5BU – left six American bulldog puppies to starve.
Hull couple Danny Jordan and Steph Boyd were banned from keeping animals for life after six of their American bulldog puppies were found to be severely malnourished and deformed
On 28 December 2022 six emaciated puppies were handed into a rescue centre by Danny Jordan, who claimed his child had found them dumped on a roadside.
The puppies had spinal deformities because they were so malnourished
The RSPCA was contacted and an appeal for information was made in the media by the independent rescue centre which had the puppies.
Sadly, two of the puppies were so poorly they died overnight, with the surviving four needing veterinary treatment.
As a result of the media coverage, a member of the public contacted the RSPCA naming Boyd and Jordan as the breeders.
The court heard that RSPCA inspector Claire Mitchell visited Boyd and Jordan’s address and spoke to them.
In a witness statement presented to court, inspector Mitchell said: “I asked what had happened to their most recent puppies and Stephanie said that six puppies had been rehomed at the beginning of December to a man she didn’t know and had no details of.”
The man who took the puppies to the rescue centre had left a telephone number, which matched Jordan’s phone number.
Inspector Mitchell said: “At this point I suspected that it was Daniel Jordan that had dropped off the puppies [at the rescue centre] and that they had never been dumped.”
A vet who examined the surviving puppies – three males and one female – said in a witness statement that the dogs, who were aged around four months old, were in a poor body condition.
She added: “They had no muscle mass and bony prominences visible under the skin. All four puppies had a body condition score of one out of nine, where one is emaciated, and nine is obese.
“All of the puppies had a hunched posture, appearance of curved spines and malnourishment and some live fleas were visible in their coats.”
The vet added: “I suspected that the postural deformities shown in these puppies was due to malnutrition and limited exercise over a prolonged period.
“In my opinion the puppies were suffering for a minimum of two weeks to get into the condition they were in, but likely longer, possibly up to two months. I would expect a reasonable owner to provide food suitable for the age of a dog, to achieve a healthy weight and body condition, and to seek guidance and veterinary attention if unsure what diet to provide, especially when it becomes obvious that the puppies are suffering malnourishment.”
Sadly, one of the surviving puppies did not improve and was put to sleep to end their suffering. The three other puppies made a full recovery and have since been rehomed.
Boyd and Jordan pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.
The surviving puppies following their recovery
Following the sentencing, Inspector Mitchell said: “They claimed the puppies had been found abandoned, but what actually happened was that Boyd and Jordan had bred them and then did not give them the proper nutrition and exercise required, resulting in them becoming ill. It is sad that three of the puppies did not survive.
“However, the three surviving puppies went onto new homes and now have new lives.
“We’re grateful to the members of the public and the rescue centre for their help in bringing this case to court.”
Sentencing | four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months; costs of £400 each. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2023) | Natalie Greenaway, born 30 September 1981 and Geoffrey Greenaway, age tbc, of 39 West Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2DB – failed to provide urgent veterinary care for their elderly dog.
Cruel couple Natalie and Geoff Greenaway are banned for life after caused appalling suffering to their elderly pet dog
The RSPCA attended the couple’s address in June 2023 where they were shown Taz who was in a very poor condition.
She was severely underweight with a body condition score of 0.5/5.. Her hips, spine and ribs were all clearly visible.
Both back legs looked to be deformed at the stifle joints. She had very little to no muscle coverage.
Tragic dog Taz was in immense pain due to her multiple health issues
Taz was signed over to the RSPCA and taken to a vet to be examined where it was evident that she was gravely unwell.
She was underweight and had multiple pressure sores; many nails were growing into her pads and her back legs were weak and stiff.
She had horrendous teeth with food and hair stuck in them, bad ears, fleas and untreated cruciate ligaments.
As a result of these clinical findings, the vet stated Taz was suffering and immediate pain relief was given.
Following a full clinical examination, the vet concluded Taz was in pain associated with pressure sores, dental disease and ingrown nails – her state of emaciation was adding to her suffering.
Sadly, Taz was in such a poor state of health, a vet decided to put her to sleep to end to her suffering.
In mitigation, the Greenaways conceded they could have done significantly more to address their loyal pet’s deteriorating health. They said they had buried their heads in the sand in the hope things would get better.
The court heard that Natalie Greenaway had “mental health” issues and had suffered a family bereavement.
Speaking after the case Inspector Emma Beynon said: “This suffering could have been prevented by adequate attention and appropriate veterinary treatment.
“It is vital owners provide veterinary care should their animal need it – which was not the case for poor Taz.”
Sentencing | each received an 18-week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months; 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement; 150 hours of unpaid work; £150 cost and £154 victim surcharge. Both were banned from keeping all animals for life.
CONVICTED (2023) | Peter Paul Toland, born 15 March 1994, of 35 Cornshell Fields, Londonderry BT48 7UG* – beat his dog and buried her as she lay dying.
Peter Toland’s dog, Luna (pictured), was found barely alive by a member of the public having suffered multiple injuries, including broken teeth and broken bones.
On March 15, 2023, the American bulldog known as Luna, was brought to a veterinary clinic by police officers after she was found partially buried and under a stone by a member of the public in Ballyarnett Country Park.
Luna was humanely put down due to the extent of her injuries. A post-mortem examination found she was severely underweight, weighing just 19kg.
She had a facial haematoma as well as fractures which had been caused by blunt force. These were recent, possibly only hours old, and had been caused by a wide object.
Her ears were packed with mud which had been forced into her ears.
She had a body mass of two out of nine, meaning she was severely emaciated with no muscle mass present. Her canine teeth were broken and her pulse was exposed.
The dog was put to sleep on humane grounds.
The judge said Toland’s treatment of Luna amounted to “extreme” cruelty and she had suffered months of abuse and neglect before she was brutally killed.
In his police interview Toland said he’d owned the dog for two years. He said he’d gone to Donegal on March 15 and when he returned home he noticed Luna was missing.
Toland told the police Luna had “dropped a full litter of pups the previous October” but said that he’d never taken the dog to a veterinary clinic nor registered any of his dogs with any clinic.
Dog killer: Peter Toland is banned from keeping animals for life
When the police searched Toland’s home they found three other dogs in the enclosed rear garden. There was no water for them, bedding was inadequate, and the yard contained a considerable amount of faeces.
The prosecutor said Toland told the police Luna had never run away before and that he’d searched for her for one hour after he’d discovered she was missing.
Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said there was “absolutely no doubt Toland is a terrible owner of animals” but he submitted that the prosecution had failed to prove its case that the defendant had buried the dog alive.
The barrister said the police had failed to properly investigate the incident. They’d neither looked for CCTV footage nor organised an identity line-up for the member of the public who’d found the dog and who had seen two men at the scene.
The District Judge said either the dog got out of the back yard and somebody partially buried her or somebody took the dog from the back yard and did it.
“It is appalling and despicable that this animal was found as it was found. To think that somebody could bury the animal alive is just incomprehensible.
“No person with the slightest shred of decency would do that. But somebody did it, either a person or persons unknown did that, or the dog somehow got out for the first time and then somebody did this to the dog.
“This animal was in an appalling state of health. It was emaciated, there was no muscle mass, it had broken canine teeth, puncture wounds and facial fractures that was the result of blunt trauma with a wide object.
“This animal had suffered a prolonged period of suffering, months long, and that is squarely at the door of the defendant. He took no steps to have the dog treated, no steps to take it to a vet. He took no steps to deal with a severely emaciated dog, he is guilty”, said Mr Magill.
After jailing Toland, who has 46 previous criminal convictions, for nine months, the judge granted a defence application for leave to appeal the sentence and released the defendant on continuing bail.
Sentencing | nine months in jail. Banned from keeping animals for life.
*alternative address: 84 Bloomfield Park, Londonderry BT48 8HB. This is the home of his parents, Clare and Paul Toland, but word on the street is that this is where he’s hiding out.
Update | 8 January 2024
Toland was finally jailed after his appeal over a nine month sentence was dismissed in court.
The sentence amounts to 30% of the maximum available to the court with Toland expected to serve half of that sentence behind bars.
After Toland had spent 25 days on bail, his solicitor asked asked Judge Neil Rafferty KC at Bishop’s Street County Court to dismiss the appeal.
The appeal was dismissed and Toland’s previous sentence was affirmed and he started his nine month jail term today.
A friend of Toland’s, Liam Glennon, was initially implicated alongside him after several witnesses said they saw the pair together on 15 March 2023 near to where Luna was found.
Peter Toland with fellow wildlife persecutor Liam GlennonGlennon posts sick images showing foxes being mauled to death by dogs on social media
Glennon, who like Toland enjoys persecuting wildlife, denied the allegations and it appears that case against him did not proceed.
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) | Nathan Thompson, born 1994, of Melbreak Avenue, Cleator Moor CA25 – killed a young border collie after weeks of systematic abuse.
Neighbours heard Nathan Thompson beat his dog, causing her distress and to yelp in pain and cry.
Thompson mistreated the puppy, known as Daisy, so badly that she eventually died. He then tried to cover his tracks by setting a fierce fire, inside a metal bin.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Thompson had brought home the dog shortly after moving into the terraced property in 2022.
But throughout the late summer, neighbours heard sounds of the puppy being abused.
Neighbours reported Thompson had regularly beaten Daisy causing her distress and to yelp in pain and cry.
This included incidents of grabbing her by the scruff and banging her against the cage causing injury. These assaults increased in frequency in the lead up to her death.
“Thuds and crashes followed by the distressing noises of the animal crying in pain. This went on for night after night,” said prosecutor Andrew Evans.
Neighbours had described their deep distress at hearing banging, shouting and hearing the dog cry in pain “all the time”.
One woman would sit on her back doorstep crying because the dog was being beaten.
Thompson was seen to grab the puppy around her neck before dragging and pushing her head down into the grass, and also to hose her down while she was tied up.
The noises of beating became more frequent and “most days” there would be a “bang and a yelp”.
“It is the Crown’s case that the defendant, in rage and anger, repeatedly beat Daisy over the final few months of her life, and that the beatings she received, either with punches, kicks or the use of the metal cage door, caused the puppy distress and injury,” said Mr Evans.
Daisy had died at an unknown time on September 5, 20222, the court heard.
“Later that day the defendant placed her corpse into a large metal bin in his back garden,” added the prosecutor.
“Using an unknown accelerant he set a fierce fire which destroyed the body to such an extent that the veterinary post-mortem was unable to determine the exact cause of her death when, two days later, neighbours found the remains of the body and alerted the police.”
Thompson admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
He had claimed that Daisy escaped and war un over but this version of events was dismissed by a judge who heard evidence, including harrowing accounts from neighbours who had sought to intervene.
Recorder Julian Shaw imposed an immediate 27-month jail term, describing Thompson’s criminal conduct as “cruelty” and “sadistic” having used “significant force.
“What greater harm could there be to that animal than you killed it?” he wondered.
And of the brutal treatment meted out by Thompson, Recorder Shaw said to him: “You must have known, day after day after day what you were doing was grotesque.”
CONVICTED (2023) | Edward Ade, born 25 June 2004, of 178 Gershwin Road, Basingstoke RG22 4HL – filmed himself attacking a bleeding dog as she cowered away from him
Edward Ade’s dog Fendi had a broken spine and jaw and injuries inflicted using sharp objects
Ade pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Josephine Story, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, was on duty on February 17, 2023, when she received a call that highlighted a video relating to the abuse of a black and tan Doberman named Fendi.
Inspector Story said: “I was horrified by the look of terror on the dog’s face and by its behaviour indicating extreme stress. Having been verbally abused she was then hit at the end of the video.”
The short clip shows the terrified dog standing in a small space surrounded by three walls with blood on the wall behind her. She is pressed against the wall with her head down and doesn’t move during the recording.
The footage then zooms in on her head and back. Open wounds can be seen on both which are wet with blood.
Ade can be heard talking throughout, saying: “Had to pat on this b*tch, bust her head, bust her back. Yeah have you got anything else to say, you want to try and bite me still? Go on bite me, you b*tch, you b*tch.”
Inspector Story was joined by police when she visited Ade’s home to take the dog into immediate possession.
Vet Dr David Martin described how there must have been at least two severe beatings to her head, back, jaw and skin for between three and 14 days before Fendi was seized.
He said some injuries had been inflicted using sharp objects.
He said the dog would have experienced extreme pain and distress trying to eat with a broken jaw or walk with a broken spine.
Dr Martin said the fractures would have been immediately apparent to Ade when they occurred as they would have caused severe distress to Fendi and required substantial force to cause.
The report added that these are the sort of injuries normally seen in dogs that have been run over by a car.
Fendi, who has since been renamed, has now recovered and found a happy new home.
Sentencing | jailed for 26 weeks; £200 costs. Banned from keeping animals for life.
CONVICTED (2023) | Cameron Fisher, born c. 2000, of Greenways, Flitwick MK45 1DA – hit a dog with a bat.
Cane Corso Bluey was terrorised by her evil owner, Cameron Fisher from Flitwick, Beds
Fisher pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a Cane Corso type female dog called Bluey after hitting her with the bat.
The court was shown a video of the defendant with what looked like a small or child’s baseball bat hitting down left handed next to a dog training crate immediately followed by a dog yelping. While the incident is obscured by a fence, it is believed the dog was struck with the bat with some force causing the dog to yelp for an extended period of time.
The man can be heard speaking on the video and, among other things, says to the dog “What you f**** keep moving for”
Fisher was arrested by the police and Bluey was seized in September 2022
RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight took over the animal welfare investigation.
Bluey was taken to a vet for examination where it was found she was around 5kgs underweight and her forelimbs were a little overloaded possibly due to lack of exercise. She was prescribed flea and worm treatments
A vet who was asked to view the footage said in a report there was “deliberate and repeated verbal and physical abuse of the dog. There is strong evidence of the dog cowering and being very frightened in the presence of the owner/keeper.”
Speaking after the case inspector Knight said: “I am so pleased that we were able to help Bluey and that she can now live the rest of her life without fear and we are grateful to everyone involved with this case. This incident highlights that it is never acceptable to physically abuse your dog.”
Bluey was successfully rehomed by the RSPCA.
Sentencing | 12 month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement of 20 days; costs of £1,000. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.
