Tag Archives: Merthyr Tydfil

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Park, Merthyr Tydfil: Kristopher Morgan

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CONVICTED (2023) | Kristopher Daniel Morgan, born c. 1987, of Brewery Court, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8FG – allowed his elderly dog to become emaciated.

Merthyr Tydfil man Kristopher Morgan allowed his dog to become skeletal and failed to treat his serious health condition
Kristopher Morgan left his elderly pet dog to suffer in agony for several months

Morgan, who has a previous conviction for sexual assault, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to American bulldog-type Buddie.

The offence was that between February 3 and May 4, 2023, he caused unnecessary suffering to the dog by failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for the causes of his weight loss and masses.

Merthyr Tydfil man Kristopher Morgan allowed his dog to become skeletal and failed to treat his serious health condition
Buddie, who was around 10 years old, was put to sleep after vets found him in an emaciated condition and covered in lumps

The RSPCA were notified after Buddie was found straying on Brecon Road, Merthyr, and taken to a vet by a member of the public. Very sadly, the elderly pet was so unwell he had to be immediately euthanised.

Morgan was traced as Buddie’s owner after vets scanned for a microchip.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper said she collected Buddie’s remains from the vets the following day. She said she saw “every bone in his body, he was covered in lumps and his penis was prolapsed.”

The body was seized by police for the RSPCA to continue with its investigations.

Merthyr Tydfil man Kristopher Morgan allowed his dog to become skeletal and failed to treat his serious health condition

Morgan claimed that Buddie had been missing seven weeks due to poor fencing in his garden. He also stated that he first noticed a ping pong ball sized lump seven to eight weeks previous to the right of Buddie’s neck, and since then he had been reluctant to eat and was losing weight.

In a witness statement presented to the court, a vet gave the opinion that Buddie would have been suffering for longer than seven weeks.

The vet added: “In my opinion, it seems very unlikely that a dog of such loving nature and large stature would have been missing for seven weeks without anyone finding him and bringing him to either a veterinary practice or to the RSPCA.

“It is also clear from the conversation that I had with Mr Morgan that he did not seek or have intentions of seeking veterinary treatment for the lump or weight loss.

“As a consequence, I feel Buddie was suffering whilst in this poor condition – uncomfortable when trying to sit down, weak, malnourished and regurgitating after food (likely due to the size of the lumps pressing on his food pipe).

“In my opinion, I feel this dog was suffering for longer than seven weeks, at a minimum three months but possibly longer. Veterinarian opinion should have been sought as soon as he started going off his food and losing weight, as this would have started to impact on his quality of life.

“Buddie should never have been left this long and by doing so Mr Morgan had failed in his duty of care to Buddie and allowed him to suffer unnecessarily.”

Merthyr Tydfil man Kristopher Morgan allowed his dog to become skeletal and failed to treat his serious health condition

DCI Cooper added: “This is a very sad case, and we’re very sorry to hear that Buddie didn’t make it. We’d like to thank the member of the public who took him to the vets and the staff at the vets who gave him emergency care when he arrived.

“Sadly he had been neglected and the failure of veterinary care and attention for his condition meant that he would have been suffering for some time.”

Sentencing | 12 month community order with 135 hours of unpaid work and 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement; £500 costs. Disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years (expires December 2033).

Wales Online

dog used as a weapon, Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales: Marcus Walsh

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Marcus Walsh, born 25 August 1982, of Plantation Close, Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9LN – owner/in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control
Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

Convicted Class A drug dealer and prolific backyard breeder Marcus Walsh was not present when Rachel Millard was attacked by two XL bullies in Barry on March 20, 2022. She was left with puncture marks to her leg and finger, after placing herself over her puppy.

Ms Millard was walking along Coronation Street, Barry, with her boxer puppy when she saw two young girls open the front door of a house. One of the girls was screaming and the two dogs ran out of the property.

The whereabouts and fate of Marcus Walsh's XL bullies, from whom he'd produced at least one litter, are unconfirmed
The whereabouts and fate of Walsh’s XL bullies (pictured – note cropped ears on one of them), from whom he’d produced and sold at least one litter, are unconfirmed

The victim described the dogs as “excited” as they ran straight at her and her 15-week-old puppy, saying they were “fixated and focused” and thought they were “running to attack”.

In order to protect her dog she dropped to the floor and wrapped her arms around her puppy as the XL bullies tried to get at the puppy under her arms.

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

One of the dogs managed to get hold of the puppy but Ms Millard shouted “No” which deterred the dogs. She was screaming out for help and people looked on but did not intervene, the court heard. The victim attempted to stand up but the dogs jumped up on her and pinned her down on the floor.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said the attack lasted around seven minutes until she was able to get up and run from the dogs, adding whichever way she ran, the dogs ran after her.

The woman was able to seek refuge after a work colleague called her name and invited her into her house, as others tried to get the dogs back in the property they came from.

Ms Millard and her partner were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff by Walsh’s partner where she received treatment for injuries to her leg which bled on her jeans. There were seven puncture wounds to her left leg, a few inches above the ankle, and there were superficial cuts to her right index finger.

The puppy had superficial scratches and patches of bald fur.

After the incident, Walsh’s partner contacted Ms Millard and asked how she was. The defendant messaged apologising and told her not to ring the police.

He said: “Hiya love, so sorry this has happened. My daughter feels terrible for opening the door. Please don’t ring the police, I haven’t got the dogs now to stop them from being put down, it breaks my heart and the kids’. If you need help let us know.”

Convicted drug dealer and backyard breeder of XL bullies Marcus Walsh, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, failed to keep his dogs under control

Walsh later attended her property bringing flowers and apologising, saying there was concern around him being on licence and having been banned from owning dogs. He said it was “pointless” contacting the police because the dogs had been given away.

Walsh attended a voluntary interview with police and made no comment. He later pleaded guilty to being the owner/in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

The court heard Walsh has 121 previous convictions, including an identical offence in 2016 when a dog he owned named Otto injured a person trying to stop the dog from attacking his dog, resulting in puncture wounds to his hands and wrists, and a cracked rib.

This was Walsh’s second prosecution in relation to Otto. He was jailed for eight months in 2015 for affray after setting the dog on a former friend.

Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media
Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Welshman Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media
Despite being banned from keeping dogs until 2023, Welshman Marcus Walsh openly shared photos of his two dogs and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale on social media

Walsh was disqualified from owning a dog for five years, and was still banned at the time of the latest offence. He was also on licence for an offence of supplying heroin in 2019, for which he was jailed for 49 months.

In mitigation, Victoria Maud said her client, a roofer, is a “hard working” man and was not present when the dogs escaped from his partner’s house. She said the animals acted “out of character” and said the incident “came out of nowhere”.

When asked by Judge Daniel Williams if Walsh would divulge the location of the dogs, Ms Maud said the defendant believes one of the dogs is being put down and the other dog is living with a friend in “the Valleys” and would be willing to find out the address. The judge said: “He’s had ample time to do that.”

Sentencing, Judge Williams said: “You claimed you were forced to look after the dogs after you were bullied into paying off a debt. The dogs produced a litter and puppies were sold.”

He said aggravating features included the defendant’s previous convictions, the fact there were two dogs, he was on licence and moved the dogs out of reach of the authorities to avoid them being destroyed.

Sentencing | 18 months’ imprisonment. Disqualified from having the custody of a dog for 10 years (expires October 2033).

Wales Online

Birds, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Ystradgynlais, Swansea: Brandon Woods

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CONVICTED | Brandon Woods, born c. 1994, previously of Merthyr Tydfil and now Swansea – set fire to a neighbour’s budgie using an aerosol at the age of 14.

Brandon Woods
Brandon Woods’ sadistic behaviour against a helpless budgie was a red flag for the long history of violent crime to come

This is a horrific case of (non animal) violence from August 2020 but it’s mentioned in the newspaper report that Woods’ first offence was in 2008 when he set fire to a neighbour’s budgie using an aerosol so that earns him an entry on our database.

I can’t find the original media but I would imagine he was never named as he was only around 14 at the time.

Woods now has been sentenced to 15 months in jail (half in custody and the remainder on licence) after attacking a young woman.

The woman was left with more than 60 bruises and scratches on her face and body after the “cowardly” assault.

Some of the wounds left by Woods were described as looking like “claw marks”.

Woods; offending began in 2008 when he was a young teenager and he set fire to a neighbour’s budgie.

A judge said at the time that Woods’ pattern of offending demonstrated a “worrying personality trait” and he said he had concerns the defendant would go on to become a “very dangerous man” unless he changed his ways.

Woods’ convictions include spitting at a police officer, battery, criminal damage, drink-driving, driving while disqualified, witness intimidation, drugs matters, and two for assault occasioning actual bodily harm – one of these had seen him attack his mother and then go on to squirt ketchup around the house.

WalesOnline

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales: Arron Dixon

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CONVICTED (2019) | Arron Lee Dixon, born 26 January 1992, of Aberfan Fawr, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 4PE – neglected and beat his horses

Horse abuser Arron Lee Dixon from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

Arron Lee Dixon, owner of Dixon’s Removals & Clearances, was found guilty of a string of animal welfare offences relating to three ponies.

The father-of-one failed to provide a suitable diet and environment for the ponies, who were being kept at a site in Bryngoleu, and was even caught beating one of them.

Neglected horses owned by Arron Lee Dixon from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

All three animals – a grey gelding Welsh, a male skewbald native and a small male skewbald native – were found by RSPCA officers to be underweight and had little or no land to graze on or supplementary feed.

Neglected horses owned by Arron Lee Dixon from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

One skewbald pony was so underweight and in such poor condition that a vet said he had “suffered unnecessarily” while another pony had escaped from the field and was found grazing elsewhere.

On March 21, 2019, when RSPCA officers were carrying out a follow-up check on the welfare of the ponies, an officer also caught Dixon beating one of the animals.

Neglected horses owned by Arron Lee Dixon from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

The ponies were taken into the care of the RSPCA and were made available for rehoming.

Dixon, who runs a house and rubbish clearance business called Dixon’s Removals, was convicted of five animal welfare offences dating to February and March 2019. He had pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing but was found guilty in his absence.

Horse abuser Arron Lee Dixon from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

An RSPCA spokesman said the charity had already given Dixon advice on horse care in February because the ponies had little or no land to graze. But when officers returned on March 21, Dixon hadn’t addressed the problem or provided supplementary feed and the ponies were underweight.

Flyer for Merthyr Tydfil horse abuser Arron Dixon's house clearance business
Violent horse abuser Arron Lee Dixon runs a house and rubbish clearance business

It was during this visit while waiting for a vet and the police to arrive, Dixon was caught beating the skewbald native pony.

Gemma Cooper, an RSPCA spokeswoman, said: “These ponies were grazed illegally on inappropriate land without supplementary feed, and therefore were not having their needs met and one was so underweight, vets found him to be suffering.

“We tried to work with Dixon previously but returned to the site to find improvements had not been made. One pony had even escaped the field and was subsequently found grazing elsewhere.

“Thankfully, we were able to rescue these ponies and offer them a second chance of happiness. All three have made an amazing transformation and are now available for rehoming.”

Dixon was found guilty of three charges relating to the weight of the animals, one charge for failing to provide a suitable diet and one charge for failing to meet the skewbald native pony’s needs to be protected from pain, suffering or injury by inappropriate handling and physical ill-treatment including hitting.

Sentencing | 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 20 rehabilitation days. 10-week curfew; £1,000 in court costs. Banned for five years from keeping animals (expires December 2024).

WalesOnline

animal fighting / baiting, Cats, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales: Josh Sullivan and Levi Williams

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CONVICTED | Josh Sullivan, born 15 February 2001, and Levi Williams, born c. 2004, both of the notorious Gurnos Estate, Merthyr Tydfil –  coaxed an elderly family cat named Sully out from under a car and watched as their dog mauled him to death.

Cat killers Josh Sullivan (left) and Levi Williams, both of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Cat killers Josh Sullivan (left) and Levi Williams, both of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales

The disturbing attack, which showed Josh Sullivan and Levi Williams – well-known members of a local gang known as the Merthyr Bullies – parading Sully’s dead body around afterwards, was caught on CCTV on 9 May 2018.

Family cat Sully was killed by Josh Sullivan and Levi Williams, both of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales

The sick pair were sentenced after admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to the 13-year-old cat.

The dog involved in the case has also been subjected to a deprivation order and will be taken into RSPCA care until he’s ready for rehoming.

Sully’s owners became concerned after their pet had been missing from their home for a number of days.

They checked their CCTV camera for clues about Sully’s whereabouts and were shocked to witness his shocking ordeal at the hands of cruel teenagers Williams and Sullivan and the dog they had evidently trained to kill other animals.

In the footage Williams is seen hitting Sully with a stick to coax him out from underneath a car. As Sully runs out, Sullivan releases the dog he had been holding by the collar. The dog chases Sully, quickly catches him and mauls him to death.

Josh Sullivan's dog is believed to be the one he and his cruel sidekick, Levi Williams, set on a helpless elderly cat
Josh Sullivan’s dog is believed to be the one he and his cruel sidekick, Levi Williams, set on a helpless elderly cat

Sullivan picks up Sully’s limp body and parades it as he walks along the street. Finally he callously tosses the mutilated cat into the bushes.

Cat killer Josh Sullivan of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said: “The shock and horror I felt when I first witnessed this CCTV footage has remained with me.

“This was a disturbing, harrowing and deeply sinister attack which would have caused immense suffering to poor Sully.

“It is frightening to think two children would set out to do something so deliberately cruel. It appears the dog had been trained to kill like this.

“We know most people across Merthyr and beyond will be disgusted by the treatment of an innocent, defenceless cat in this way.

“This was a premeditated attack, seemingly done for the boys’ fun and pleasure, for which the RSPCA had to seek justice.

“The actions of these individuals has left a family broken and without their beloved pet cat and family member of 13 years.”

The youths’ identities were not officially disclosed due to their ages, but the pair were quickly outed on social media

Sully’s owner – who wishes to remain anonymous – added: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken.

“Sully was so happy, and was a member of our family. His killing by these cruel people brings shame to Merthyr Tydfil. This was a heinous act.

“He was well-known and popular in the local area – always sitting on the path he’d get petted and fussed by people walking along the lane and regular dog walkers all knew him.

“He’d regularly sneak into a neighboring dental practice, and make friends with patients in the waiting room. Sully was a real character and was loved by all who met him. He was harmless and had never hurt anyone.

“We all miss him so, so much. It was so strange for Sully to be missing. He’d gone to follow family members to the local park and was out and about as usual – but didn’t come home that day.

“We started to get worried, so I checked our CCTV cameras – and saw these boys walking with a dog and that’s when it all happened.

“It was horrifying to watch. I was screaming at the screen for Sully to run for his life but the dog was just too fast for him.

“What I witnessed that day will never leave me – it was like watching one of my children being attacked.

“Sully was 13 years old and was one of our family members who spent every night curled up on our children’s beds and his senseless killing has affected them deeply.

“Telling my wife and children he was dead was so, so hard. I will never forget watching the offenders revel in what they did, and will never forgive them for what they have done to us.

“They threw poor Sully’s body into the bushes like a piece of junk; and I had to go and get the body, and get him cremated, to get some dignity for him.

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

Sentencing: 
12-month referral order to the youth offending team, £300 costs. Disqualified from keeping any animal for 10 years (expires September 2028).

Daily Mail
ITV News
The Sun

Small Furries, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Treharris/Merthyr Tydfil/Mountain ash, South Wales: Shaun Fussell, Lee Jones, William Morgan

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CONVICTED (2017) | tyre fitters Shaun Mark Fussell, born 05/02/1988, of Woodlands Crescent, Quakers Yark, Treharris CF46 5AP, Lee Edward Jones, born 27/07/1975, of Rhydfach, Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 4DJ and William Christopher Morgan, born 02/03/1981, of Upper Fforest Level, Mountain Ash CF45 4HR – hit a wild rat over the head, forced it into a pipe and launched it into the air like a cannonball.

Shaun Fussell, Lee Jones and Billy Morgan
Pictured left to right Shaun Fussell, Lee Jones and Billy Morgan. All three men were convicted of animal cruelty after shooting a live rat from a makeshift cannon

Shaun Fussell, Lee ‘Sooty’ Jones and William ‘Billy’ Morgan were all convicted of animal cruelty after a video was posted to Facebook showing a live rat being fired out of a makeshift cannon.

Sadist Lee Jones was filmed shooting the terrified rat several metres into the air
Sadist Lee Jones was filmed shooting the terrified rat several metres into the air

The horrific footage showed a rat being caught in a tyre fitting shop using pliers, and forced into a pipe attached to an air compressor after being hit on the head with a metal pole. The rat was then shot out of the pipe by Lee Jones using the compressor, into the air and over a neighbouring building.

After issuing a public appeal for information earlier in 2017, the RSPCA received “scores” of calls from people as far as Australia to help track down the men.

Sadistic animal abuser: Shaun Fussell from Treharris, South Wales
Shaun Fussell

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said: “This was such a horrific case where this rat suffered unnecessarily.

Lee Jones in still from the horrific video footage
Lee Jones in still from the horrific video footage

“Even though some people see rats as vermin they are still protected by law in certain circumstances. They are still living creatures that feel fear and pain.

“These men purposely attached a gas compressor and put the rat in a tube and fired it. They knew exactly what they were doing.

“We never found the rat, but it surely suffered extremely from the horrifying incident.”

Sentencing: 12-month community order of 180 hours of unpaid work each; ordered to pay a total of £445 each in costs and charges.

WalesOnline

dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil: Kerry Evans

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CONVICTED | Kerry Alan William Evans, born 10/11/1988, of 38 Twelfth Avenue, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9TB – kept and bred dogs for vicious fights.

Dog fighter Kerry Evans from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales

Evans was involved in organised dog fighting and kept six pitbull terriers to be used in this barbaric crime.

Following a search of Evans’ home and sheds at Pengarnddu in Merthyr Tydfil, six dogs and items of dog fighting equipment
were found.

Kerry Evans from Merthyr Tydfil trained banned breed dogs to fight in underground leagues where people pay to watch dogs tear other apart, and bet on the outcomes. All six dogs seized from him were destroyed.
All six dogs seized from Kerry Evans were destroyed.

Officers also found syringes and antibiotics allegedly used to treat dogs after fights.

Evans with partner Sam Harris

A vet who examined the dogs said they displayed numerous facial and bodily scars and concluded that the dogs had received their wounds from dogs bites, also stating that the injuries would have caused the dogs to suffer if no veterinary treatment had been sought.

Kerry Evans from Merthyr Tydfil trained banned breed dogs to fight in underground leagues where people pay to watch dogs tear other apart, and bet on the outcomes. All six dogs seized from him were destroyed.
RSPCA officers reported that Evans’s dogs were covered in scars and many had lost their ears in brutal scraps

The dogs were ordered to be destroyed by the RSPCA

All six dogs were ordered to be killed by the RSPCA. Officers also seized dog fighting equipment and graphic books showing dogs tearing each other apart.

The court heard that dog fighting existed in a “small fraternity” who met across the country and trained their animals specifically to fight.

Sentence: six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; 200 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 towards the £50k prosecution costs. Banned from owning dogs for eight years (expired March 2022).

WalesOnline
Daily Mail