Tag Archives: London Borough of Bexley

Cats, kitten breeders, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Worst of the Worst

Bexleyheath, South-East London: Amy Byrne and Harry Angell

May 11, 2023 misanthropic 7 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | disgraced ex police officer Amy Louise Byrne, born November 1992, and partner Harry Angell, born c. 1991, of Downbank Avenue, Barnehurst, Bexleyheath DA7 6RT – sold sick and dying kittens in £280k scam.

British Transport Police officer Amy Byrne and her boyfriend Harry Angell sold sick and dying kittens to customers in £280,000 scam — RSPCA officers and police raided the Bexleyheath home of Harry Angell and former police officer Amy Byrne following a string of complaints to Trading Standards about sick and dying kittens they’d sold

Former British Transport Police officer Amy Byrne and boyfriend Harry Angell pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.

The couple bought and bred kittens for sale but when customers received their new pets many found that they were malnourished, ill and covered in their own urine or faeces.

Sales and complaints stretch back as far as 2015 and in court RSPCA prosecutor Hazel Stevens gave six examples where kittens died soon after being purchased.

The couple used at least 33 different fake names in their adverts, including claiming to be from Cat Cuddles Rehoming which is a genuine charity. On another occasion they used the ID of someone who had purchased a cat off them to advertise other kittens.

Byrne lied to buyers that she was a vet and that the kittens had been wormed and microchipped, but health certificates provided turned out to be fake.

One victim told the court that she arranged to buy a male kitten off Byrne and Angell as a surprise for her autistic son who had recently lost his cat.

Her son made a thank you card for Bryne which she accepted as she dropped off the kitten.

After Byrne left the mum realised the kitten was female, emaciated and had diarrhoea stuck in her fur. The kitten died a short time later.

Ms Stevens told the court: “There were human and animal victims in this. Humans were risk of getting these illnesses from the cat. Children who were excited about a new member of the family including one child who made a card to thank Amy Byrne, only to see them die days later.

Another victim of their scam said: “Having recently lost a cat to the road, we were so looking forward to giving a home to a new kitten. We instantly fell in love with Elsa who was so sleepy and cuddly when we got her. For the two precious weeks we had her in our lives, she became part of our family.

“We were just devastated to watch her slowly go downhill, monitoring her eating so little, trying to rid her of the worms she arrived with and taking her to the vet for numerous checks/tests. She spent her last two days in the animal hospital with them trying everything to make her better but she gave up the fight and we began our grieving for little Elsa.”

When owners got back in contact with Byrne and Angell after the sale they were often ignored, Ms Stevens said.

The court heard that on one occasion a distraught buyer and her boyfriend turned up at their house to ask for their money back. Byrne told them to wait outside until Angell arrived on the scene and shouted:

“You bought the kitten from me not Amy, but I am not giving you a f***ing penny.”

As a result of the volume of complaints that Trading Standards, the RSPCA and the police were receiving, a search was carried out at Byrne and Angell’s home on Downbank Avenue in Barnehurst, Bexleyheath on August 26, 2021.

A total of 17 kittens were found on the premises on the day of the search, with a vet assessing that six of them were suffering. Those six cats were confiscated and one died a short time later.

During the search Byrne and Angell tried to dispose of their mobile phones. Angell jumped out of the window and threw his phone in the front garden and while police were chasing him Byrne carried out a factory reset of hers.

Angell’s phone was recovered and revealed hundreds of images of kittens, enquiries about adverts and complaints from people reporting that their kittens were sick.

Messages also revealed that the couple found adverts for cheap kittens online, gave the cats flea treatments and then sold them on.

On one occasion Angell bragged about how he bought two kittens for £75 then sold them on for £600 each the next week.

Analysis carried out by the RSPCA showed that the couple intended to make a gain of £278,870.

During an interview Angell confirmed that the kittens seized had not seen a vet as he does not agree with veterinary practices.

Byrne admitted they breed cats and sell them but said they were not making a profit.

Byrne was a British Transport Police (BTP) officer when these crimes were carried out but was the subject of a misconduct investigation relating to serious drug offences which eventually led to her being fired in January 2023.

A BTP misconduct hearing report said a hydroponics tent, two cannabis plants, bag of cannabis, half smoked joint and pack of cannabis seeds were found at her address.

Sentencing | Angell was jailed for three years and four months, while Byrne was jailed for three years and eight months. The couple were also disqualified from owning pets indefinitely and cannot appeal for at least 10 years.

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Daily Mail

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Thamesmead, South-East London: David Phillips

December 15, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | David Christopher Phillips, born 10 May 1970, of 7 Eastgate Close, London SE28 8PJ – let his pet dog starve to death

Amber died from chronic starvation after her callous owner failed to feed her.

Nine-year-old Staffy Amber was so badly neglected, an RSPCA inspector couldn’t even tell her breed or original colour. The charity investigated after the dog’s emaciated body was left at a Thamesmead veterinary hospital “for disposal”.

Following a post-mortem, it was found that the dog was only 8kg, almost half the weight of 14kg she had been when last brought into the clinic in 2019.

The post-mortem concluded that Amber had died of chronic starvation, and at the time of her death was suffering from a chronic, widespread, skin disease resulting from a mite infestation.

Amber’s owner David Phillips pleaded guilty to two two charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, namely causing the unnecessary suffering of the animal by failing to address its weight loss and failing to provide the necessary veterinary care for the animal’s chronic skin disease.

According to an investigating veterinary surgeon who provided testimony for the court, Amber’s case was one of the worst she’d ever seen in his career.

RSPCA Inspector Harriet Daliday who investigated the case told the court: ”Amber’s body was extremely thin, all her ribs were clearly visible, as were the bones in her head, shoulders, spine and hips.

“Most of Amber’s fur was missing, especially on her legs and underside, her claws were overgrown and there was dried faecal matter over her rear end.

“I was not able to determine the original colour or even what breed Amber was due to her poor body and skin condition.”

Inspector Dalliday added: “It’s very upsetting to imagine the suffering Amber endured at the end of her life, she was so thin and in such a poor state.”

Sentencing: jailed for 12 weeks; ordered to pay £690 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for life.

My London

Cats, Dogs, kitten breeders, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Gillingham, Kent: Glen Hayes

November 26, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | puppy farmer Glen Hayes, born 11 May 1965, of Beatty Avenue, Gillingham ME7 2BZ – kept dozens of dogs and cats in squalor.

Glen Hayes from Gillingham — Glen Hayes profited from animal misery

Glen Hayes was convicted of 10 animal welfare offences for his “behind-the-scenes” involvement in a disgusting puppy farm being operated from Janet Oxlade’s back garden in Bexleyheath, London.

A total of 38 dogs and 18 cats were being kept in filthy conditions in makeshift pens in Janet Oxlade's garden — A total of 38 dogs and 18 cats were being kept in filthy conditions in makeshift pens in Janet Oxlade’s garden

The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) joined Metropolitan Police to execute a warrant at the property in January 2018 after calls from concerned members of the public who had bought puppies from the address in the run-up to Christmas.

To their shock, a total of 38 dogs and 18 cats were found in makeshift pens, in the garden and in cages.

RSPCA Inspector Carroll Lamport said: “We’d been contacted by numerous people buying puppies who had grown suspicious of the operation that was being run from the house in Bexleyheath.

“People were concerned that they were never allowed beyond the living room when they visited the house to see the puppies and many who had purchased dogs reported that their pets had quickly fallen ill.

“Sadly, in some cases, people’s beloved new pet puppies had been so poorly that they’d died.”

Puppy farmer Glen Hayes with Janet Oxlade during a court appearance — Greedy pet dealers Glen Hayes with Janet Oxlade during an earlier hearing

In the run-up to Christmas 2017 the RSPCA received six complaints relating to Basset hounds, dachshunds and a boxer. One of the pups – a dachshund – died on Christmas Day having contracted parvovirus.

When officers raided the property they discovered pedigree cats and fashionable dog breeds – such as Newfoundlands, dachshunds, French bulldogs and Shihtzus – being kept in completely unacceptable conditions.

One Newfoundland was found with seriously deformed legs and couldn’t walk while many of the dogs were covered in mud, faeces and their coats were matted with dirt. Some of the dogs had severe dental disease, some with docked tails and many had nasty eye infections or ears clogged with built-up hair and wax.

An independent vet who joined officers on the raid to check all of the animals said it was some of the worst conditions he’d ever seen.

Glen Hayes and partner Janet Oxlade sold poorly pets to unsuspecting buyers in the run -up to Christmas 2017

Inspector Lamport added: “The house and garden were total mayhem but the living room – the only space prospective buyers were allowed access to – couldn’t have been more different. A pristine and impeccably clean space.

“Mr Hayes was involved in the day-to-day care of these animals and should have known better than to keep them in such horrendous conditions.

“Thankfully, we were able to save these lovely dogs and cats and they will all go on to lead much happier and healthier lives.”

All of the animals have since been re-homed or are in foster care awaiting new homes.

Sentencing | 20 weeks in jail suspended for 18 months; 250 hours of unpaid work; fined £3,500 plus £115 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals indefinitely

KentOnline

Cats, Dogs, Lifers, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers

Bexleyheath, London: Janet Oxlade

August 15, 2018 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2018) | callous backyard breeder Janet F Oxlade (aka Janet Bremner), born c. 1951, previously of Grazeley Close, Bexleyheath, but more recently (2023) of 38 Darlington Drive Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness, Kent ME12 3LF – kept 38 dogs and 18 cats in filthy makeshift pens in her back garden and crates inside the house.

Serial animal abuser: puppy farmer Janet Oxlade from Bexleyheath, London and more recently Sheerness, Kent.

Oxlade pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences following an RSPCA raid at her home in Bexleyheath.

An independent vet who joined officers on the raid said it was some of the worst conditions he’d ever seen and compared the matted filth in the animal’s coats to “armour-plating”.

Serial animal abuser Janet Oxlade kept dozens of dogs and cats in 'disgraceful' conditions in Bexleyheath

RSPCA Inspector Cliff Harrison filmed around two hours of footage as evidence. In the video he says: “There’s filth and mud everywhere and the dogs couldn’t get out of the dirt at all. It’s absolutely disgusting.

“The animals are smothered in faeces. They just don’t know where to go.

“It’s utterly disgraceful to keep animals in these conditions.”

The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit joined Metropolitan Police to execute a warrant at the Bexleyheath property in January after calls from concerned members of the public who had bought puppies from the address in the run-up to Christmas.

“We’d had a number of complaints over recent years about this address but never had enough evidence to act on,” said RSPCA Inspector Carroll Lamport.

“In 2017, local inspectors dealt with a handful of calls and attended the property but Ms Oxlade wouldn’t let us in.

“People became suspicious of her as they were never allowed outside of the living room of the home – which was kept in pristine condition – and couldn’t see the conditions the animals were being kept in.

“Between the end of November and a few days before Christmas we had six further complaints from the public relating to Basset hounds, dachshunds and a boxer. Sadly, one of the dachshunds died of parvovirus on Christmas Day.”

Many of the animals taken into care by the RSPCA were in a dreadful state.

One Newfoundland was found with seriously deformed legs and couldn’t walk. Others suffered from severe dental disease, some with docked tails and many had eye infections and ears clogged with built-up hair and wax.

Inspector Lamport added: “These dogs were living amongst absolute chaos, there was filth and mud everywhere, and many of the animals had no access to water.

“Away from all of this mayhem, the living room was kept in absolutely pristine condition. We suspect this is the room in which members of the public were invited to meet their new puppy in order to convince them that the dogs were raised in high-quality conditions.

“The truth of what lay beyond that living room door, was far from the image they painted to the public.”

Co-defendant Glen Hayes who pleaded not guilty was tried separately.

Sentencing | 20-week suspended prison sentence; costs of £2,000. Banned from keeping animals for life

Mirror
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Update | October 2023

Breach of ban and further animal cruelty | Two dogs euthanised | Now living in Darlington Drive, Minster on Sea, Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey, Kent

Oxlade was told she faces time in jail after neglected cats, dogs, and a canary named Elvis were found at her home.

The vile pensioner admitted keeping dozens of flea-ridden and injured animals at her home, with two needing to be put to sleep because of the condition they were in.

The animals involved included six Yorkshire terriers, four daschunds, and four poodle-type dogs.

One offence took place on March 22, 2023 at Oxlade’s home in Darlington Drive, Minster, on Sheppey, and she was charged with another offence relating to a poodle on January 11, 2023, at Saxon Place in Dartford.

Oxlade is now charged with three counts of breaching a disqualification, two of failing in the duties of a person responsible for animal welfare, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to a canary.

Sophie Reed, representing the RSPCA, told the court a member of the public made contact with Oxlade after she advertised a poodle puppy for sale. After visiting the Sheppey woman the following day, the buyer searched her name online and saw she had been banned from owning animals and then reported her to the animal charity.

As a result, police and the RSPCA carried out a visit to Oxlade’s address and many of the animals were discovered flea-ridden and in small crates.
A canary was also discovered underweight, with a scaly leg infection, cysts, abscesses, and feather loss.

In an interview with officers after the raid, Oxlade said she had the animals to support her as she had become “isolated and depressed” without them. She claims she had to move out of Bexley following her ban in 2018.

Oxlade admitted she owned some poodle dogs to breed but she only produced one litter a year. She also owned a rottweiler, returned to her by her daughter. This dog had to be euthanised due to his poor condition.

The defendant claimed she didn’t understand she was still banned from owning animals and thought that had ended when she paid off a £2,000 fine from the 2018 incident.

Ms Reed explained: “Two animals had to be euthanised, many were covered in fleas and lived in poor housing such as small cages with no natural light.

“They displayed fear and anxiety when approached.”

The court heard Oxlade has a number of physical issues and conditions, as well as some mental health issues.

The defendant was told she faces time in custody and will be sentenced at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 8, 2024, following a pre-sentence report.

Kent Online

Update | March 2024

Appearing at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 8, 2024, Oxlade was given a 120-day prison term, suspended for two years. She must also undergo at least 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) sessions.

Oxlade was told that if she breaches her ban again she will go to prison.

Kent Online

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

Sidcup, South-East London: Anthony and Lucy O’Donnell

March 16, 2017 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2017) | puppy dealers Anthony and Lucy O’Donnell, both born c. 1986, of the Old Maidstone Road Caravan Site, Old Maidstone Road, Sidcup DA14 5BW – sold dying puppies to unsuspecting buyers.

The O’Donnells pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and for failing to meet the needs of 11 puppies.

Lucy O’Donnell also admitted one offence of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

The RSPCA became aware of the puppy dealers in December 2015 following a number of calls to the charity’s cruelty line from the public reporting the deaths of puppies they’d bought just days before.

RSPCA inspector Carroll Lamport led an investigation into the dealers. He said: “Twelve people who had bought puppies from the same address got in touch with us to report concerns around the sellers after their dogs fell ill soon after coming home.

“Sadly, of those 12 pups, all but two died.”

The RSPCA mounted an undercover operation with officers posing as a couple buying a pup as a birthday present. They met Lucy O’Donnell at the side of a road and, after a few minutes of questions, handed over cash and walked away with a tiny puppy, which was subsequently rehomed with a loving family.

The RSPCA and local police executed a warrant at the address and discovered around 50 dogs and puppies at the property.

“There was no evidence of anything illegal regarding those dogs, so none were seized from the address on the day,” inspector Lamport said. However, they were able to prosecute in relation to the sick puppies the O’Donnells had sold.

Inspector Lamport added: “It’s heartbreaking to think this couple put money and profits ahead of the welfare of these poor pups and, as a result of failing to establish a disease control programme, and failing to provide appropriate treatment for illness, 10 puppies lost their lives.”

Sentencing: Lucy O’Donnell was jailed for two years and disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years, while husband Anthony was given a five-month jail term and also disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

Vet Times
Daily Mail

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Erith, London: Gary Stockford

December 7, 2015 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2015) | Gary Charles Stockford, born 24/08/1973, previously of Swanscombe, Kent, and more recently (2019) of Kale Road, Erith DA18 4BJ – subjected a dog to a 45-minute beating

Dog abuser Gary Stockford from Erith in South East London. Picture: Facebook

The vicious beating delivered by Gary Stockford, in Dartford town centre, lasted 45 minutes, prompting several disgusted shoppers to call the police.

Every time his master called him, the loyal dog, known as Benny, returned to his side, only to be kicked and punched again and again.

Several witnesses called police after they saw Stockford attack his dog near to the Orchard Theatre in July 2015.

RSPCA inspector Vikki Dawe said: “Witnesses saw Benny being repeatedly hit and kicked, in vicious bursts, over a period of about 45 minutes.

“They said the poor dog kept coming back to the defendant when he was called, only to be attacked all over again. They were so distressed by what they saw they called us.

“It is totally unacceptable to be violent in this way towards an animal. Benny showed clear signs of submission and distress.

“Thanks also must go to the witnesses who were brave enough to agree to give evidence so Benny’s owner could be prosecuted.”

Sentencing: 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months; total of £1244 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for just five years (expired December 2020) .