Tag Archives: North Wales

Animal Torture, Cats, Dogs, Lifers, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers, Small Furries, Worst of the Worst

Tywyn, Gwynedd, North Wales: Aled Roberts

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CONVICTED (2024) | Aled Wyn Roberts, born 6 May 1991, most recently of High Street, Tywyn, but originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire – beat a puppy before choking him to death after the ‘novelty’ of owning a dog wore off.

Prosecution of monstrous puppy killer and serial animal abuser Aled Roberts originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire, Wales

Roberts admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a black collie called Twm by inflicting blunt force trauma and violence including strangulation.

Prosecution of monstrous puppy killer and serial animal abuser Aled Roberts originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire, Wales

Prosecuting counsel Gareth Bellis said Roberts was described by a friend as having a history of failing to care properly for animals. He would leave them in cages and forget about them at his dirty and grubby flat. Roberts didn’t know a hamster was dead in a cage.

He had also allegedly smacked his cats.

Prosecution of monstrous puppy killer and serial animal abuser Aled Roberts originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire, Wales
Details of Aled Roberts’ horrific cruelty towards a defenceless puppy were shared across social media with one animal lover starting a petition to demand justice
Prosecution of monstrous puppy killer and serial animal abuser Aled Roberts originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire, Wales
Some disturbing allegations were made about both Roberts himself as well as his mother

Mr Bellis said, during a video call with a woman in April 2023, Roberts had complained about the behaviour of his five-month-old border collie.

“The dog was crying in its crate,” the prosecutor said.

Prosecution of monstrous puppy killer and serial animal abuser Aled Roberts originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire, Wales

The defendant appeared to hit the dog forcefully with his hand. He’d also been witnessed kicking and punching the dog.

The same morning the friend had received another call and grinning Roberts said the dog was dead.

Twm’s body was taken to a vet where Roberts told a receptionist he didn’t know how the pet had died.

Prosecution of monstrous puppy killer and serial animal abuser Aled Roberts originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire, Wales

Roberts had previously attempted to choke a cat with a headphone lead and screamed at a budgie and refused to feed it, the court heard.

Jailing him for 18 months Judge Timothy Petts at Caernarfon crown court banned him for life from owning any animal.

The judge told Roberts that after acquiring the puppy “you clearly had no idea how to look after him properly. The novelty had worn off.

“You went from neglect to being cruel and violent towards him,” Judge Petts added.

Prosecution of monstrous puppy killer and serial animal abuser Aled Roberts originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire, Wales

Eventually Twm had been strangled with a chain.

“The suffering he sustained must have been considerable,” the judge said. A post-mortem examination showed internal injuries to the “defenceless” puppy including fractured ribs.

Roberts’ lawyer said his client’s “mental health problems” had led to the sad situation and had urged the judge to consider a suspended sentence.

Sentencing | 18 months’ imprisonment. Lifetime ban.

Daily Post

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Worst of the Worst

Newton, Chester: Natalie Hewson

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CONVICTED (2024) | Natalie Hewson, born c. 1988, of Phillip Lawson House, Norfolk Road, Newton, Chester CH2 2LD – left her severely ill elderly cat to die alone in her abandoned flat.

RSPCA prosecution of Chester woman Natalie Hewson. Image: Nat Hewson - Facebook.

Hewson was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the 13-year-old pet, called Zippy, died alone in the empty flat in Norfolk Road, Chester.

During an appearance at Chester Magistrates Court she pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Zippy and failing to meet her needs during August and September 2023.

RSPCA prosecution of Chester woman Natalie Hewson. Image: RSPCA

The RSPCA investigated Hewson after receiving a report that a cat had died after being left unattended at Hewson’s home. Zippy’s body had been removed from the property a week earlier by someone who knew Hewson and buried at another address.

In written evidence to the court, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes who collected Zippy’s remains, said: “I was directed to the rear of the garden and observed a tabby and white female deceased cat which had been removed from a shallow grave prior to my arrival.

“The carcass of the cat was in poor bodily condition with ribs, spine and pelvic bones palpable through the skin.”

RSPCA prosecution of Chester woman Natalie Hewson. Image: RSPCA

Post-mortem examination report showed Zippy had chronic kidney disease that had progressed to renal failure and led to her death on or around September 4, 2023.

Hewson later told Inspector Joynes her cat appeared “fine” three to four days prior to this.

Zippy, who was abandoned by her cruel owner to die.

The vet who carried out the post mortem said adequate supervision of Zippy should have alerted her owner to observe excessive thirst and the need to seek prompt veterinary advice regarding cause and treatment.

“A cat affected by chronic renal disease will display outward signs of clinical abnormality including weight loss – not unusual for a senior cat – but also excessive thirst and urination,” said the vet.

“Each of these observations relies upon the regular (at least daily) and frequent supervision of the cat in order to be able to identify such abnormalities.

“The evidence indicates that Zippy had been left unsupervised for repeated periods of four days, and when she was supervised this was for very short periods of time, just enough for the responsible person to provide further food and water without a significant period of observation of the cat’s behaviour.

“In my opinion the needs of Zippy had not been met due to a lack of adequate supervision with a failure to adequately monitor her and ensure she was not showing signs of illness or disease. The failure to meet the needs her needs also led to her having unrecognised chronic renal disease which had progressed to renal failure.”

RSPCA prosecution of Chester woman Natalie Hewson. Image: Nat Hewson - Facebook.

Inspector Joynes made repeated attempts during October and November 2023 to contact Hewson to interview her about Zippy but got no response.

On November 15 the inspector spoke to a man at a property at Llay in Wrexham where Hewson was said to be staying and left a message asking her to get in touch urgently.

Numerous further attempts to make contact were made until an interview was finally conducted on December 6.

In it, Hewson told the officer she had left the property in Chester because of asbestos and that the council had taken longer than anticipated to fix it. She accepted she had been to the flat about ten times in 30 days, staying for about ten minutes at a time, but admitted she should have done more.

She said she was “devastated” when Zippy died and didn’t know she was unwell.

Speaking after the case Inspector Joynes said: “Life often throws changes in circumstance at us but it’s important to ensure the needs of animals you are responsible for are always met. Zippy was let down by her owner at a time when she needed her most and with tragic consequences.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work; £240 costs and a victim surcharge of £114. Two-year disqualification order applicable to all animals.

Chester Standard
CheshireLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, guinea pigs, Small Furries

Abergele, North Wales: Rebecca Hopkins

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CONVICTED (2024) | Rebecca Hopkins, born c. 1995, currently of Marine Road, Pensarn, Abergele LL22 7PS – left multiple pets without food and water.

Hopkins was sentenced to 10 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, in September 2023, and was disqualified from owning or keeping pets for five years. However, following an appeal hearing on March 1, 2024, the suspended sentence was revoked and her ban on keeping animals reduced to just three years. Presiding judge Timothy Petts said the original five-year disqualification was “too long” and three years was “more realistic”.

Hopkins admitted charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing in her duty of care to ensure an animal’s welfare.

Useless: Welsh magistrate Timothy Pets
Idiot magistrate Tim Petts said the five-year disqualification order imposed on a chaotic woman that abandoned her pets was “too long” with three years being “more realistic”

Barrister Ember-Jade Wong told the court that, on March 30, 2023, officers twice attended Hopkins’ then-address on Bryn Trewan, Caergeiliog, Anglesey, regarding an unrelated matter.

They received no response, but on the second occasion, looked into the property through a gap in blinds to see faeces “all over the floor”.

Officers could also see two dogs without food or water inside the property. When an officer looked through the letter box, one dog was “yelping” and trying to jump over a baby gate.

The next day, officers returned, and the dogs were still in the kitchen, while there was “more faeces than previously”.

Hopkins was also caring for two rats and guinea pigs each at the time; both were said to be within their cages but without food or water.

She was found “sleeping rough” in Colwyn Bay, telling officers she did not intend to return to her Anglesey property due to issues with mould.

On April 15, 2023, officers broke in to the Anglesey property, and were said to have been “overcome with the smell of faeces and urine”.

The dogs were “dishevelled”, and none of the six animals appeared to have any access to food or water.

Following further inspections, the guinea pigs were found to have no fresh bedding, and the acidity of the urine in their cage may have caused burns on their legs.

Of the two rats, one had identifiable breathing issues, and another was underweight.

Neighbours said they “heard dogs barking constantly”, meanwhile.

Hopkins relinquished care of all of the animals save for one of the dogs, but lost her right to also keep this pet after she was convicted.

Representing Hopkins, who had three previous convictions for five offences, Richard Edwards said she moved to Colwyn Bay to be with her partner at the time, understood to be called Lewis Ford.

He was no longer allowed to reside at her address after being convicted of assaulting her, but his Colwyn Bay address prohibited the keeping of animals.

Hopkins wanted to appeal the sentence in respect of her disqualification from keeping animals, as pets were said to bring her some comfort after losing custody of her children.

Judge Timothy Petts, presiding over the appeal with magistrates, removed the suspended jail term, but said a ban on keeping pets would have to stay in place, albeit reduced to a mere three years.

“We realise that is a great source of distress for her,” Judge Petts added.

Sentencing | three-year ban (expires March 2027).

North Wales Pioneer

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Abergele, Conwy, North Wales: Joe Fogg

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CONVICTED (2024) | Joseph Fogg, born c. 1984, of South Parade, Pensarn, Abergele LL22 7RH – kicked a dog with force during a domestic violence incident.

Domestic abuser: Abergele woman-beater Joe Fogg can add animal abuse to his long list of criminal convictions. Image: North Wales Police

Fogg admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal alongside charges of assault by beating, using threatening behaviour, criminal damage to property and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Prosecuting, Thomas McLoughlin told the court that, at about 5.30pm in Rhyl on October 2, 2023, Fogg pushed a woman, bruising her and causing her to fall to the floor.

Fogg then kicked a dog with such force that she retreated and urinated.

He then caused roughly £1,100 of damage to the woman’s mobile phone, rendering it unusable.

While carrying the child, the woman was then punched on multiple occasions by Fogg, though one of his blows struck the child in the face instead.

The woman suffered swelling, bruising and cuts, and both she and the child suffered reddening under their eyes.

After the woman told Fogg that he had hit the child, he replied: “I’ll do it again.”

Domestic abuser: Abergele woman-beater Joe Fogg can add animal abuse to his long list of criminal convictions. Image: Facebook

Defending Fogg, who had 16 previous convictions for 23 offences, but none for violent matters since 2012, Jade Tufail asked if the court could consider suspending his custodial sentence.

She said he has been “out of trouble” for three years, and suffers from mental health issues and alcoholism – though he “hasn’t touched a drink since the incident,” she added.

Ms Tufail described Fogg as “not somebody who is without hope”.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman deemed Fogg’s offences too serious for immediate custody to be avoided.

“You were clearly intoxicated,” she told Fogg, who spent much of the hearing weeping and with his head in his hands.

Judge Saffman added: “In my judgment, this is a matter where only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”

Sentencing | two-year custodial. No mention of a ban.

Rhyl Journal

badger baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Burford, Oxfordshire: Christopher Woodward

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CONVICTED (2023) ex-Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher J Woodward, born 20 November 1984, previously of Ruabon, Wrexham, but now of Huntsman House, The Kennels, South Lawn, Swinbrook, Burford OX18 4FH – caught interfering with a badger sett.

Former Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher Woodward was caught interfering with a badger sett
Christopher Woodward is now employed by the Heythrop Hunt

On 3 February 2023, huntsman Christopher Woodward and a second Wynnstay Hunt employee identified as whipper-in Charlie Young were caught red-handed blocking the badger sett near Whitchurch, North Wales, in preparation for the following day’s hunting in the area.

Hunt saboteurs confronted the pair, who fled the scene. .

North Wales Police launched an investigation which led to the prosecution of Woodward, who is now employed by the Heythrop Hunt, based in Banbury, West Oxfordshire,

According to the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) Woodward and Young were caught three weeks earlier blocking the same badger sett.

The purpose of this cruel practice, which can cause badgers to suffocate, is to force foxes above ground so that they can be illegally hunted.

Charlie Young is the alleged accomplice of former Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher Woodward who was caught interfering with a badger sett
Woodward’s alleged accomplice Charlie Young. It’s not known if he also faced charges

Following Woodward’s conviction an HSA spokesperson said: “The blocking of badger setts is routine practice by fox hunts across the country.

“Not only is such behaviour illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, it provides obvious evidence of the intent to/commit offences under the Hunting Act.

“The fact that this seedy pair were caught on film at the same badger sett only weeks earlier beggars belief and provides further compelling evidence of the habitual nature of such offences.”

Former Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher Woodward was caught interfering with a badger sett

Woodward is due to appear in court again in October 2023 to face charges in relation to breaches of the Hunting Act.

Sentencing | £500 fine plus £200 victim surcharge and £85 costs. The fine takes into account his guilty plea and income and is to be paid within 28 days.

Hunt Saboteurs Association

Birds, Cats, Dogs, Hoarders, Lifers, Multiple Species, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Llandegla, Wrexham: Nicholas Low

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CONVICTED (2023) | Nicholas John Low, born c. 1952, a serial animal abuser from Ty Isoe, Maes Maelor, Llandegla, Wrexham LL11 3AA – left puppies to starve to death in a dingy caravan parked in a forest; other animals kept in squalor.

Serial animal abuser and hoarder Nicholas John Low from Llandegla, Wrexham.
Photo: North Wales Police

Low, who has two previous convictions for near identical offences, was jailed and handed a second lifetime ban for leaving dogs, cats and a goose to live in squalor

The custodial sentence came after he was found guilty by trial of five offences under the Animal Welfare Act. This includes causing unnecessary suffering to dogs, cats and a goose.

Animals starved and neglected by serial animal abuser and hoarder Nicholas John Low from Llandegla, Wrexham.
Animals starved and neglected by serial animal abuser and hoarder Nicholas John Low from Llandegla, Wrexham.

Furthermore, it was said that Low failed to care for 11 dogs and puppies. He was also found to be in breach of a lifetime disqualification order imposed in May 2007.

Animals starved and neglected by serial animal abuser and hoarder Nicholas John Low from Llandegla, Wrexham.

Among the animals found at the scene were an emaciated yellow Labrador and two dead puppies. Low also had cats that “all appeared unkempt with dirty coats” with one found to have a large polypoid affecting his ear.

Animals starved and neglected by serial animal abuser and hoarder Nicholas John Low from Llandegla, Wrexham.

A preliminary post mortem on the dead puppies revealed that both animals were in “poor body condition” and had likely “starved to death.”

The vet also confirmed that a tabby cat was found to have a burst abscess under his chin as well as thick pus coming out of his right ear. The Labrador was described as “thin with a body condition score of one out of nine where one is emaciated and nine is obese, she weighed 16.1kg.”

Six puppies were all examined and were estimated to be aged between eight and 10 weeks old. It was said they were “small in stature and all of thin body condition.”

Animals starved and neglected by serial animal abuser and hoarder Nicholas John Low from Llandegla, Wrexham.

In a witness statement provided to the court, RSPCA inspector Rachael Davies described the location where Low kept the animals as a clearing in the forest.

The inspector said there was lots of rubbish and recycled plastics, tins, bike wheels, plastic bags and general waste lying around on the ground in the clearing.

She said: “I could see an extremely skinny yellow Labrador type dog and white long haired German Shepherd type dog tethered to what I would describe as some sort of trailer. The dogs had no access to any suitable shelter, there was a sodden cushion on the ground near the German Shepherd and lots of empty dirty metal bowls. I could clearly see all of the ribs and hips on the Labrador, and could easily feel her spine, her teats were enlarged.”

Animals starved and neglected by serial animal abuser and hoarder Nicholas John Low from Llandegla, Wrexham.

In a caravan, she found eight black and chocolate Labrador cross puppies who were “very small”. Insp Davies added that the pups were in a “very unsanitary” environment and she “did not see any food or water bowls inside the caravan”.

Inspector Davies spoke with Low at first and advised about getting medical attention for the animals and proper accommodation for the dogs but he was “disagreeable” and refused their help. She later returned with animal rescue officer Melanie Froude and once again asked if she would be able to take the dogs to the vets, but this was refused and she issued him with an Animal Welfare assessment warning notice.

It was soon discovered that Low had been disqualified from keeping all animals for life – and the officers reattended the address with North Wales Police.

Inspector Davies described the conditions as much the same “just wetter and colder”.

She said: “The German Shepherd was no longer tethered to the trailer with the Labrador and the puppies were roaming free in the forest clearing. Four of the puppies gathered together and huddled themselves around a lit fire bin just outside the caravan where they had been contained on my last visit.

“They were all very quiet and looked very cold and like that had lost condition since I had last seen them. The Labrador was still tethered to the same trailer and she also appeared to have lost condition looking a lot thinner. The water bowls that had been empty on my last visit now appeared to be filled with rain water.”

One of the rescued puppies is now doing well after her ordeal

In total 13 animals (plus the two deceased pups) were removed and placed in the care of the RSPCA.

Since they were seized, the 13 animals have been doing well in RSPCA with the Labrador and pups settling in well in foster homes. The animals will now be found forever homes.

Sentencing | 26-week custodial; £154 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban from keeping animals.

Daily Post
WalesOnline
Nation Cymru

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

Broughton, Wrexham: Rob Bransby

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CONVICTED (2023) | puppy farmer Robert Bransby, born c. 1986, of Cae Pentre, Brynteg, Broughton, Wrexham LL11 6AQ – illegally bred and sold dogs kept in atrocious conditions .

Illegal puppy farmer Rob Bransby from Wrexham, North Wales

Rob Bransby was originally prosecuted by the RSPCA alongside mother Alison Bransby and sister Kayleigh Bransby in relation to an illegal dog breeding business at White House Farm, Hollins Lane, Tilstock, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 3NU. Although the women were sentenced in October 2022, Rob Bransby failed to show up at court.

Alison (left) and Kayleigh Bransby together with Rob Bransby made a fortune breeding and selling dogs from the family's disgusting puppy farm
Alison (left) and Kayleigh Bransby together with Rob Bransby made a fortune breeding and selling dogs from the family’s disgusting puppy farm

He has now been sent to prison for 18 weeks and given a 15-year ban on keeping dogs for his role in the puppy farm after admitting breeding and selling dogs without a licence.

Thirty-five dogs, including cavapoos, cockapoos, dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and terriers were found living in appalling conditions during a warrant carried out on February 24, 2021 by the RSPCA and West Mercia police.

Scenes from the Shropshire puppy farm operated by Rob Bransby from Wrexham, North Wales alongside mother Alison Bransby and sister Kayleigh Bransby. Pictures: RSPCA

The raid followed complaints from members of the public who had bought puppies and dogs from the farm which later became ill.

The family advertised ‘home-bred’ puppies for sale on different websites but the reality was a large-scale puppy farm with dogs housed in wooden sheds, pens and kennels, some barely bigger than a large rabbit hutch.

Scenes from the Shropshire puppy farm operated by Rob Bransby from Wrexham, North Wales alongside mother Alison Bransby and sister Kayleigh Bransby. Pictures: RSPCA

The court heard that the women had made £150,000 from illegally breeding and selling the puppies, and around £9,000 in cash was seized from a safe at the property during the operation.

Scenes from the Shropshire puppy farm operated by Rob Bransby from Wrexham, North Wales alongside mother Alison Bransby and sister Kayleigh Bransby. Pictures: RSPCA

In her evidence, Kate Parker, the RSPCA inspector who led the investigation, said: “There were wooden sheds with stable type doors.

“Inside I could see a typical breeding set up for puppies, with a heat lamp angled over a plastic dog bed, an empty bowl and some soiled rags inside the bed.

“Inside a lean-to type construction there was a row of metal constructed kennels.

“There was a thin layer of sawdust on the concrete floor, clutter, household items and electrical cables dangling inside, accessible by the dogs housed in each.”

Shropshire puppy farmer and NHS radiographer Kayleigh Bransby with boyfriend Dan Clare.
Shropshire puppy farmer and NHS radiographer Kayleigh Bransby with boyfriend Dan Clare. Clare was also prosecuted but it appears the case against him did not proceed.

RSPCA animal centres in Leicester, Birmingham and Aylesbury, assisted by a number of the charity’s fosterers, took in the animals, who have been rehomed.

Scenes from the Shropshire puppy farm operated by Rob Bransby from Wrexham, North Wales alongside mother Alison Bransby and sister Kayleigh Bransby. Pictures: RSPCA

Speaking after the hearing, chief inspector Ian Briggs from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, who assisted the investigation on the illegal selling, said: “We’d always encourage anyone thinking of getting a puppy to adopt rather than buy, and to do lots of research first to ensure they source a dog responsibly.”

Sentencing | 18 weeks of immediate custody; £728 in costs and victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for 15 years.

Leader Live
Shropshire Star

Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking, Pet Profiteering

Wrexham, North Wales: Jordan Birchall-Roberts and Carl Birchall

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CONVICTED (2022) | Jordan Birchall-Roberts, born 11 January 2002, of Heol Cadfan, Coedpoeth, Wrexham LL11, and Carl Cassius Marius Birchall, born 14 March 1974, of 43 Meadow Lea, Caia Park, Wrexham LL13 8SN – failed to provide veterinary care and attention for a puppy with cropped ears.

Animal abusers: Carl Birchall (left) and son Jordan Birchall-Roberts from Wrexham, Wales. Pictures: Facebook

The pair, who are father and son, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act of failing to meet the needs of a bulldog called Zena by failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for her cropped ears.

Cruelty victim Zena with cropped ears

The court had heard that the defendants told the RSPCA they had owned the puppy for a week and her ears were already cropped.

RSPCA inspector Rachael Davies attended Meadow Lea in Wrexham on June 9, 2022. She found Zena in the living room and could see instantly that her ears had been cropped and that they looked “swollen and appeared to have been cut unevenly”.

Animal abuser: Carl Birchall from Wrexham. Picture: Facebook

Inspector Davies – who was speaking to a lady at the property – said in a written statement: “I could see the holes where the stitches had been.

“The lady told me that the first night the puppy came home it was screaming in pain so they gave it some Calpol and since then it had been fine.”

Zena’s owner Birchall-Roberts then returned and inspector Davies asked him where he got the dog from.

Animal abuser: Jordan Birchall-Roberts from Wrexham, Wales. Picture: Facebook

He explained that had been given a phone number which had come off Gumtree.

“He said he then picked the dog up from some men at a service station in Chester,” she added.

“I asked if the puppy had seen a vet, he said no. I advised him that I was concerned about the puppy’s ears as they looked very swollen and painful and that I wanted to take the puppy to the vet to get them checked.

“At first he was reluctant however after speaking to his father he agreed to let me take the puppy to the vet. He told me the puppy was seven weeks old when he got her and he had owned her for one week.”

Cruelty victim Zena with cropped ears

At the vets Zena was examined and a vet confirmed that her ears were swollen with signs of infection. She was taken into possession by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA.

Animal abuser: Jordan Birchall-Roberts from Wrexham, Wales. Picture: Facebook

A witness statement from a veterinary surgeon said Zena would have endured suffering when these wounds were sustained and the days following this (timescale of approximately one week).

They added: “The suffering in the days after could have been reduced by adequate assessment and treatment, had Zena been presented to a veterinary surgeon earlier.

“I estimate that Zena has not had her needs met for approximately one week, or the time since sustaining the wounds to her ears, allegedly one week prior.

“A reasonable person would have presented this puppy to a veterinary surgeon on the day of purchase or ownership.”

Prior to the hearing Zena was signed over to the RSPCA.

Sentencing | each was ordered to pay £300 costs, a £120 fine and a £34 victim surcharge. A 24-month disqualification from keeping all animals for 24 months (expires December 2024).

The Leader
Wrexham. com

Dogs, hunting with dogs, rabbits, Small Furries, Traveller Animal Crimes, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Porthmadog, North Wales: Danny Gilmore

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CONVICTED (2022) | Daniel Gilmore, born c. 1971, of 106 Pensyflog, Porthmadog LL49 9LB – goaded his dog into chasing and attacking a terrified domestic rabbit, which was then killed.

Gilmore, a traveller, was given a suspended prison sentence after releasing a white rabbit before letting a dog chase it. He then posted a video of the chase on Facebook after he had killed the rabbit.

He was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after a trial.

Prosecutor Diane Williams told the court Gilmore released the rabbit from his hand then released a dog and posted a video of the chase on the Facebook page Bedlington Whippets. She said the protected animal was “the kind of animal commonly domesticated in the British Isles and that’s a white rabbit”.

Its white pelt and shape indicated it was a domesticated rabbit and therefore protected. It was not an albino.

But Gilmore’s lawyer, Michael Strain of Strain and Company, said, said it was an “unusual set of circumstances”.

He said his client, a self-employed scrap merchant who “comes from travelling stock”, had never been in trouble in 50 years.

He said rabbits destroy hedgerows and cause other problems and can be caught legally. Farmers pay people to dispose of rabbits and keep them under control, he added.

Strain said the white rabbit in this case “may have been domesticated at one time” but escaped and was “effectively wild”. Gilmore took it from the dog and twisted its neck which was legal, he argued.

Strain added: “Mr Gilmore has not caused it unnecessary suffering. He has just done the wrong thing because the rabbit is white.

“He has not gone out to be cruel. He has not caused the rabbit any additional suffering he would normally cause a brown rabbit.”

Sentencing | 12-week jail term, suspended for 12 months. Ordered to pay £740 court costs and £128 surcharge.

North Wales Live

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Dolgellau, North-West Wales: Andrew Pugh and Dominic Thomas

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CONVICTED (2022) | wildlife killers Andrew Lloyd Pugh of Tyn Y Coed, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau LL40 2HW and Dominic John Thomas of 1 Ffordd Heulog, Dolgellau LL40 1HH – failed to treat their dogs’ facial injuries and dental disease.

Dominic Thomas (left) and Andrew Pugh were prosecuted following an RSPCA investigation into suspected wildlife crime

Pugh and Thomas each admitted one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to their dogs by failing to provide veterinary treatment. The prosecution followed an investigation by the RSPCA’s special operations unit (SIU) into suspected wildlife crimes.

Pugh pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dark brown/black female terrier known as Storm by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of her severe dental disease.

Vets said the dogs’ facial injuries were consistent with badger fighting,

Thomas pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a brown male terrier dog known as Charlie by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of a severe and infected facial injury on the right side of the dog’s face.

The court heard that police warrants were issued at the men’s addresses on March 10, 2022, as part of the SIU’s investigation known as Operation Epona.

At Pugh’s address, Storm was found with extensive scarring to her face and lower jaw, and was exhibiting a degloving injury to her jaw. Storm was seized by police and placed into RSPCA care.

When not forcing his dogs to fight wild animals for his sadistic pleasure, Dominic Thomas plays for Dolgellau Athletic Amateur Football Club

At Thomas’s address five dogs were seized by police and remain in RSPCA care. One of these dogs was a terrier named Charlie who had infected fresh wounds on his muzzle as well as old scarring.

It was also heard that as RSPCA officers approached the address they were informed that a man had thrown a dog over the fence and ran off with it when police executed the warrant. North Wales Police later caught the man who ran off and returned the dog to the premises.

In witness statements from vets in attendance at both warrants it was stated that both Storm and Charlie suffered unnecessarily.

The vets gave the opinion that the injuries seen to the lower jaw in both dogs had the “appearance of a typical injury resulting from those type of activities involving dogs and badgers”.

The six dogs in the care of the RSPCA will now be rehomed – this includes Storm and Charlie who were part of deprivation orders made in court.

Sentencing |
Pugh and Thomas were both ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £695 in costs and victim surcharge. They were each disqualified for five years from keeping dogs. An Animal Welfare Act section 35 order was made also for a female black Patterdale called Sally who was still owned by Pugh.

Rhyl Journal