Tag Archives: London Borough of Merton

Dogs

Mitcham, London Borough of Merton: Charlene Grant

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CONVICTED (2023) | Charlene Grant, born June 1982, of Yorkshire Road, Mitcham CR4 1PQ – allowed her elderly pet dog to suffer from disease and serious joint swelling.

Convicted Animal Abuser Charlene Grant from Mitcham, London failed to get vet treatment for Hera despite her obvious poor condition.
Convicted animal abuser Charlene Grant from Mitcham, South-West London. Image source: Charlene Grant, Facebook

Grant, director of Judah Facilities Management, admitted failing to seek veterinary treatment for the tan Mastiff, known as Hera, who was suffering with obvious swollen and infected glands caused by mammary disease, and serious leg swelling.

RSPCA inspector Natalie Kitchin, visited Grant’s home in March 2022 to investigate a report of concern from a member of the public.

Mitcham woman Charlene Grant failed to get vet treatment for Hera despite her obvious poor condition.
Hera was put to sleep on humane grounds after being left to suffer by her cruel owner Charlene Grant

She found Hera very thin with mobility problems and one leg painful to the touch. The elderly dog also had three large mammary tissue masses.

In her witness statement, Inspector Kitchin said: “Hera was very thin. Her hips, ribs and spine were easily seen. She had a pendulous lump hanging between her rear legs and her right hind leg appeared to be swollen.

“I asked Charlene when Hera was last seen by a vet and she told me that it was over a year ago.”

Grant told Inspector Kitchin that there was confusion about who should care for the dog between her and Hera’s previous keeper. She also said she thought she could not take the dog to the vet herself as the microchip was not in her name.

Inspector Kitchin said: “I told her this was unacceptable and that under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 she was legally responsible for ensuring that an animal in her care was not suffering.

“If she had taken Hera to any vet given her body condition, it was unlikely they would have turned her away.”

Hera was signed over to the RSPCA and taken to the charity’s Finsbury Park Animal Hospital.

Convicted Animal Abuser Charlene Grant from Mitcham, London failed to get vet treatment for Hera despite her obvious poor condition.
Image source: RSPCA

On examination, the vet reported that Hera had multiple masses on her mammary glands and a very swollen and puss-filled right hind leg. The elderly dog also had very thickened elbows, severe arthritis and severely swollen lymph nodes.

The vet estimated that Hera would have been suffering for at least a couple of months but probably longer.

Sadly, it was decided that the kindest option for Hera was immediate euthanasia.

Inspector Kitchin said: “This was a tragic case and simply shouldn’t have happened. The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their pet to ask for help, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer.”

Sentencing | banned from having any pets for five years (expires April 2028).

London News Online

Dogs, hunting with dogs, poaching, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Croydon / Morden, South London: David Hilden and Tyron Young

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CONVICTED (2023) | David Hilden, born 11 July 1983, of the travellers site in Lathams Way, Croydon CR0 4XP and Tyron Young, born c. 1997, of Bolton Drive, Morden SM4 6GF – for poaching offences.

Convicted for 'poaching': wildlife persecutors Tyron Young (left) and David Hilden
Convicted for ‘poaching’: wildlife persecutors Tyron Young (left) and David Hilden

David Hilden and Tyron Young, who are both members of the travelling fraternity, were stopped by police officers while walking with four dogs across crop fields near Littlebury, Saffron Walden, Essex, on October 15, 2022. Two of the dogs were lurchers on slip leads.

There were no public footpaths in the area and the landowner had not given the men permission to be on the land.

The pair had had travelled to the area from south London with dogs which were to be used to poach game.

When interviewed by officers at the scene, Hilden said he had gone on to the land to pursue rabbits, while Young claimed to be walking his dog.

Poachers apprehended by officers from Essex Police
Pic: Essex Police

In court both men admitted a charge of daytime trespass in pursuit of game. In addition to a financial penalty, the men were banned from owning or keeping dogs for three years.

The banning order was the first made under section 66 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022,. The act means people can be handed disqualification orders for certain poaching offences and pursuing hares with dogs.

Investigating officer Pc Nigel Wright, of Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team, said: “The poaching of wild animals is extremely cruel but it can also cause a lot of damage to crops and farmland, which is very costly for the land owner or farmer.

Sentencing |
Hilden: ordered to pay a total of £273 in fine, costs and surcharge.
Young: ordered to pay £385 in total.
Both were banned from owning or keeping dogs for three years (expires February 2026).

Borehamwood Times
BBC News