CONVICTED (2024) | Javel Pilgrim, born 14 November 1999, of Saint Gregory’s Crescent, Gravesend, but with links to the Hackney and Barking areas of London – caught on camera abusing his pet dog.
Pilgram, who according to his LinkedIn profile works as a “program development professional”, admitted the physical abuse and neglect of his pet dog, Tessa, in a case brought by the RSPCA.
The incident, which took place on January 25, 2023, saw Pilgrim, who at the time lived on Maybury Road, Barking, lift Tessa up before hurling her from height onto the ground.
A vet who viewed the video after it was reported to the RSPCA commented: “The person does not drop the dog by accident but throws it with intent and force enough to propel it a considerable distance from him.”
“The clip shows him positioning the dog behind him to enable him to throw the dog effectively. The energy required in my opinion and experience in handling dogs, was very large to throw the dog the distance seen, and the intent was to harm the dog.
“There is no sign … that the dog was trying to bite the person, or that the man was acting in self-defence. He is not seen attending to the dog immediately afterwards, suggesting that he failed to prevent further suffering by not checking for injuries.”
When RSPCA animal rescue officer Bryan Taylor visited Pilgrim, he discovered Tessa living in the garden. She was removed from the property with consent and taken for a veterinary examination on January 26, 2023.
The vet found her to be underweight at 15.9kg, scoring three out of nine on the body condition scale. She had sustained injuries, staining, and calluses on her lower limbs, as well as fractured teeth.
A vet stated: “This injury could have occurred when the owner threw her onto the ground- it is common for injuries to the carpus (wrist) to be caused by falling from a height. The graze on her carpus could have occurred at the same time.”
“The damage to Tessa’s teeth could also have occurred when she was thrown.
“We treated Tessa with a painkiller and a diet plan to help her gain weight.
“On February 2, her weight had increased to 16.7kg. Her cough resolved with this treatment and she is not showing any signs of lameness.”
“We also noted that while Tessa was very well behaved with female members of staff she showed signs of fear aggression (e.g. lunging when cornered) with some of our male staff members- suggesting that her previous mistreatment has made her fearful of men”.
Speaking about the case, RSPCA inspector Shahnaz Ahmad, who was in charge of the investigation for the animal welfare charity, commented: “Pilgrim inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on Tessa. There is never an excuse for treating an animal in this way.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order, with 15 days of “rehabilitation”; £80 fine and £114 victim surcharge. Indefinite ban.
CONVICTED (2024) | pet hoarder Marissa Faultless, born c. 1957, of Tower Road, Sutton Coldfield B75 5EA – kept dozens of poorly cats in disgusting conditions.
The court heard that pet hoarder Marissa Faultless was not ‘deliberately cruel’ and her behaviour was due to a mental health disorder
Nearly 100 cats had to be removed from Marissa Faultless’s chaotic home, which was described in court as smelling like death. One kitten was found dead while others had to be euthanised. Some had to have eyes removed due to cat flu.
On three occasions RSPCA inspectors were forced to raid the property where every area of the garden contained piles of fence-high rubbish while inside reeked of urine and faces.
Faultless refused to accept anything was wrong with the cats and denied they needed veterinary treatment.
Ultimately she admitted six animal welfare offences, albeit she made a last-ditch, thankfully unsuccessful, bid to reverse the pleas in a ploy to keep her cats.
RSPCA prosecutor Sara Pratt told the court there had been a ‘long history’ to the case. She said that police and Birmingham City Council had tried to work with Faultless following initial complaints and in April 2021 she was provided with copies of the Animal Welfare Act as well as a code of practice for looking after cats.
But Ms Pratt added that ‘nothing changed’ and a warrant had to be executed on September 2, 2021, which resulted in the removal of 34 cats and kittens. A further 24 were spotted outside but officers could not catch them and did not have the legal power to seize them.
Ms Pratt said: “Outside of the house there was piled high rubbish in the garden as high as the fence. Inside the property there were a large number of cats and kittens. There was an overpowering smell of urine and a build-up of faeces in the living room. There were no suitable litter trays. The house was in a cluttered state.”
A lot of the cats were suffering from cat flu as well as fleas.
Faultless refused to formally sign any of them over to the RSPCA. She was interviewed and accepted ownership of them but denied there were signs of flu or ringworm.
She also blamed Covid for failing to seek flea treatment but insisted the cats did not need to see a vet. She claimed she had not noticed the smell but admitted she struggled with how many pets she had, said Ms Pratt.
There were further visits to her home in June and July 2022 following more complaints which culminated in a second warrant executed in August.
Ms Pratt said: “The conditions at the property had deteriorated. There was an overwhelming smell of urine, faeces and what was described by others as ‘death’.”
A dead kitten was found at the home while 26 cats had to be removed. One four-week-old kiten was particularly emaciated and had to be euthanised.
A third raid took place in April 2023 when another 34 cats had to be taken away.
The court was told a small number of cats had to have eyes removed due to severe flu. At that point Faultless cried ‘no, no, no that’s not true’ as she broke down in tears in the dock. One cat died after being operated on by the vet.
Ms Pratt said: “Clearly all of the cats had suffered pain and distress. A reasonably competent and humane person would have sought veterinary attention.”
She told the court a number of cats died but the vast majority had been rehomed while some remained in boarding establishments awaiting to be adopted.
Queenie Djan, defending, said: “This is Ms Faultless’s first time offending. It is not the case she was deliberately cruel. It is directly linked to a mental disorder she is suffering from. There is a history of her owning cats before her offending with no issues. She is receiving support from other organisations.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 12 sessions of psychological intervention. Banned from keeping cats for ten years.
CONVICTED (2024) | Brian Hughes, born 27 September 1982, of 69 Lister Avenue, East Bowling, Bradford BD4 7QR- beat a German Shepherd with a broom causing injuries so severe the dog lost a leg.
Hughes was found guilty after a trial in a prosecution case brought by the RSPCA.
Caesar’s leg was broken beyond repair after enduring a brutal beating by his owner, Brian Hughes
The court heard that the dog – a German Shepherd-type called Caesar – was taken to a vets by a member of the public on September 8, 2022, after he was found tied to a fence.
The examining vet said in a written statement: “[The member of the public] worried that he (the dog) was going to be killed if left with his owner.
“Caesar was carried into the surgery unable to walk. On arrival he was unable to stand, however, he could do so with support though he tired easily.”
Due to concerns for his welfare, Caesar was handed over to the RSPCA, who began an investigation.
A second vet examination confirmed that Caesar had a broken leg, which later had to be amputated.
Caesar was nursed back to health by the RSPCA and rehomed
The vet’s statement said: “[Hughes] describes being bitten by the dog when trying to remove him from his bed. A sustained attack by the dog is described – during which the owner admits to having beaten the dog with a brush handle over the head and possibly the back, before then tying the dog to a gate.
“Blunt trauma such as that described would be a consistent finding with the injuries and bruising noted in the initial witness statement around the neck (from being tied to a gate forcefully) and being beaten with the broom on the body.
“The fracture and the significant amounts of fresh bruising present on both hind limbs would be consistent with a severe blunt force trauma – likely from ‘in front’ of the dog.
“The fractured limb has likely taken the main impact, with the other limb bruising as a result of more minor contact from the same blow.”
They added: “I would also suggest that it is very unlikely for this dog to have reacted in such an aggressive manner towards the owner solely as a result of being in pain when trying to be moved.”
“Whilst in my care, in an unfamiliar veterinary environment, despite being in considerable pain and discomfort, the dog at no stage showed any signs of aggression, even upon manipulation and examination of the affected limb.”
During sentencing, the judge told Hughes he was “not fit to be near animals”.
Inspector Jo Hartley, who investigated for the RSPCA, said: “Caesar was in a bad way when he arrived in our care and he had been so badly injured that he needed his leg amputated. Thankfully, he has made an amazing recovery and has been happily rehomed.
“We’re really grateful to everyone who helped in our investigation.
Caesar has now got a second chance at life and he is a happy boy now.”
Sentencing | two-year custodial. 15-year ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder and wildlife persecutor Gregory Peter Cashmore, born 19 May 1985, of Churchill Road, Cheadle, but with strong family links to Longton Road, Knenhall, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 8TW and the Meir area of Stoke on Trent – allowed dogs to fight and left one so badly injured she had to have a leg amputated above the shoulder; failed to treat dogs injured during organised fights with wild animals.
Cashmore, a violent career criminal whose previous convictions include serious domestic violence and firearm possession, failed to take several injured dogs to vets for treatment. He was prosecuted by the RSPCA following an investigation.
One of the offences related to Star, a blue and fawn female French bulldog, who had been badly hurt while fighting with another dog.
Although Star received initial emergency treatment from a vet she was discharged with her owners failing to follow advice to follow up with further care. As a result, Star lost a leg above the shoulder.
Cashmore, ,whose father Darren Cashmore is a convicted badger baiter, also failed to meet the needs of a dark brindle bull lurcher known as Django and also failed to failed to arrange veterinary examination and treatment for a tan and white bull lurcher known as Thor, both of whom had injuries consistent with wild animal fighting.
In a statement provided to the court, RSPCA officer Jason Bowles, who led the charity’s investigation, said he entered the back garden in March 2022 after securing a police warrant via a side gate and saw a number of well-built kennels in good condition containing dogs.
Cashmore with notorious Stoke breeder and a convicted animal abuser in his own right, Alex Johnson who already has two separate entries on our database here and here. Johnson has rumoured links to dog-fighting rings.
One kennel held Thor, who had scarring to his muzzle and a swollen, inflamed joint to the right front paw.
Another kennel housed Django. He had scarring to his nose and muzzle and a healed lower jaw injury to the left side of his mouth.
Both Thor and Django were seized by police.
Cashmore with former partner Millie Moult. She was also prosecuted in relation to Star and sentenced in August 2023.
The court heard that inspector Bowles was then made aware of an incident on June 17, 2022 involving a French bulldog called Star – who he said he later recognised from being at the property on the day of the warrant. It was confirmed that Star sustained injuries after fighting with another dog.
In a written statement, attending officer Rachel Leafe said she met a woman who showed her Star. She said the dog looked ‘extremely lame on her left foreleg and was hardly weight bearing on it at all’.
She continued: “There was a discoloured fluid around the top of the left foreleg which was running down the leg and chest. The fluid looked very unpleasant. My first thoughts were that the injury looked infected.”
She asked the woman if Star had received veterinary treatment for the injuries and she showed her an email from a pet insurer authorising a claim which was dated June 15. 2022 and an email from a vet who saw and treated Star on June 5. 2022.
Inspector Leafe phoned the vets who confirmed Star was seen and treated – and they gave her initial emergency treatment and recommended that she was admitted for further treatment. However, this advice was not followed. Although it was said that Star went to another vet at a home address – no evidence of this was given.
It was agreed for Star to be taken for a veterinary examination by the RSPCA. After a full vet assessment it was found that she was suffering and was subsequently seized by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA.
In a written statement provided to the court, the vet who examined Star said: “In my experience the combination of staples and stitching present seems unlikely from a qualified experienced vet. The stitches removed of a thick black material, possibly cotton thread rather than recognised modern veterinary suture.
“Although some veterinary medicines (injectable antibiotics) and equipment (stapler) were at the premises it is my understanding that there were no oral medicines in appropriately labelled packaging or proof of veterinary care such as invoices presented to the inspector.
“In view of this, my findings and subsequent developments with the wound it is my professional opinion that this dog has been caused unnecessarily suffering from the June 7, 2022 onwards.
“The failure to seek professional ongoing prompt veterinary care (after the first initial treatment) with ongoing monitoring has resulted in a deep seated infection and bone pathology, directly leading to bone fracture and the necessity for urgent radical surgery.”
Cashmore is a prolific backyard breeder trading under the name Cash Bullyz
The court heard Star remained in intensive care from June 17 to July 4 while staff treated her for multiple infections. Sadly vets could not save her left foreleg which had to be amputated along with her shoulder blade in order for her to be saved. Star has since made a good recovery.
Cashmore flogs an item of equipment commonly used by dog fighters
Cashmore pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act. In mitigation it was heard that Cashmore has “struggled with his mental health”.
Before being sentenced, Cashmore signed over all three dogs into the RSPCA’s care. Star, Django and Thor, who has been in kennels, can all now be rehomed.
Following the hearing, RSPCA officer Bowles, said: “Star and Django have been in RSPCA foster care and both have been doing really well; Star has adjusted well to life with three legs.
“Despite going through a lot she is such a lovely dog and has really settled in with her foster carers; I’m so pleased she can now start her new life. When you have a pet you are responsible for ensuring they get the correct veterinary attention should they injure themselves or become sick. There’s no excuse for leaving an animal in such pain.”
Sentencing | 22-week custodial term, suspended for 12 months; 20 days of rehabilitation activity; 150 hours of unpaid work; £600 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge. He was banned from keeping all animals for just five years (expires February 2029).
A second person, believed to be Cashmore’s now former partner Millie Moult, was sentenced in August 2023 after pleading guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to follow veterinary recommendation to seek further professional veterinary treatment for the injuries Star had sustained.
She said she did not own Star or the dogs that caused her injuries and claimed she was told that others would be taking responsibility for Star. She was handed a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 RAR days and was ordered to pay £300 and a £95 victim surcharge.
In March 2023 Cashmore announced on Facebook that he was now in a relationship with a woman called Lea M Webb. Webb, who appears to be from Sale, Trafford, Greater Manchester. A photo of the happy couple suggested that the pair had at least one thing in common: a love for persecuting wildlife with dogs. Webb’s dog evidently bears scarring to his face, legs and body – all of which are injuries consistent with animal fighting most likely foxes and/or badgers.
Since Cashmore’s current relationship status on Facebook is ‘single’ these two may have gone their separate ways.
Additional Information
Following his animal cruelty conviction, a former neighbour of Greg Cashmore contacted us and alleged the following:
“A couple of years ago Cashmore and his then partner Millie Moult beat a puppy to death with a shovel. A neighbour came outside after hearing a dog screaming and saw them do it. The puppy was only about four weeks old. It looked like they were doing it for fun.
“The neighbour reported what she had seen to police but officers came out a week later, by which time there was no evidence that it had ever happened.
“No other witnesses came forward because everyone’s so scared of him.
“The neighbour was brave to ring police because that Greg is a full-on psychopath. He’s got a gun and tried shooting someone before.
“He is the type to set fire to his house with his own kids inside just to make a point.
“He pushed his ex, who he has two children with, down stairs while she had a new-born baby in her arms.
“He always gets off lightly because he makes a deal with the prosecution and grasses up drug dealers.”
CONVICTED (2023) | Jon McDermott, born 4 October (year tbc), and wife Stacey McDermott née Stacey Avery, born 14 August 1969, of New Road, Bream, near Lydney GL15 – kept six badly neglected dogs and a bearded dragon in poor conditions.
Six dogs and bearded dragon found ‘living in faeces’ at the home of Stacey and Jon McDermott
A warrant was executed on Thursday, February 9, 2023, by Forest of Dean District Council animal welfare officials with the assistance of the Rural Crime Team and Local Policing Team from Gloucestershire Constabulary at the home of Jon and Stacey McDermott.
Four cavapoo-type dogs were found in an upstairs bedroom in squalid conditions. The wooden bedroom floor and en-suite floor was covered in dog faeces and urine, and the dogs were unkempt with long claws and matted fur. Two further dogs of similar breed were kept in the downstairs kitchen, with the floor of the kitchen containing dog faeces and all dogs having very little bedding.
The dogs were seized and rushed for treatment at a local vet practice. They were found to have various health conditions, badly matted coats, and were covered in fleas.
Meanwhile, the bearded dragon was found in the conservatory area in an appropriately-sized vivarium. However, he had no heat or lighting, and the substrate was full of faeces and there appeared to be no fresh food or water.
Stacey McDermott and Jon McDermott appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on October 16, 2023.
Prosecutor Alex Kirk described the scene to the court describing the master bedroom in which the six dogs were kept as being “in a shocking state”.
He continued: “The quantity of faeces was overwhelming and the amount of it showed that the room hadn’t been cleaned for a number of months.
“The dogs were seized and were found to be suffering from a number of conditions.
“One had an infection in its eye which had to be removed by a vet while another was significantly smaller than the others.
“Another three dogs had otitis (a middle ear infection) in both ears while the remainder were suffering from long-term skin inflammations causing them animal’s pain, itching and overall long-term suffering.”
Mr Kirk explained that the house was in a cluttered state with an “overwhelming stench of ammonia and fleas”, while the garden, which was mostly concreted over, was full of building materials and trailers.
Mr Kirk added: “Inside an outbuilding there was a cage that contained a bearded dragon lizard which, because of the lack of ultraviolet light, was not the sandy-yellow colour it would normally be.
“When the cage was opened the lizard did not move or react. The lizard was seized and ultimately taken to a reptile sanctuary.”
Mr Kirk added: “This was a long-standing period of neglect where the animals suffered badly, contracting severe eye and ear conditions along with skin inflammation. The amount of faeces discovered showed this was not a recent occurrence but had been going on for some time.”
Stacey McDermott pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs in her care and two counts of failing to meet the needs of the dogs and a bearded dragon in her care.
Jon McDermott pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to meet an animal’s needs for the bearded dragon and all six dogs.
In mitigation Holly Burton told the court the couple were in financial dire straits and owed more than £10,000 in various debts.
She added: “Both of them have mental health difficulties and were living themselves among these poor living conditions.
“The couple did not deliberately mistreat the animals, but had become neglectful, mainly due to the deterioration of their mental health.”
The prosecution was brought by the Street Warden Team at The Forest of Dean District Council with the assistance of the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit.
Sentencing | eight weeks in prison each, suspended for 12 months; contribution of £750 each towards the council’s costs; victim surcharge of £154. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years (expires October 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Christopher M Feeley, aka Christopher Campbell, born 13 May 1981 of Whistley Waters, Milton on Stour, Gillingham SP8 4PT – failed to take his mysteriously injured dog to the vet.
Feeley, who with wife Amy-Rose Feeley owns and operates self-catering holiday lodges in Milton on Stour, near Gillingham in Dorset, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to wire-haired Vizsla Goose by failing to provide veterinary treatment for an unexplained injury to a rear leg.
Goose is having to get used to life on three legs following months of neglect by Chris Feeley
He left the eight-year-old dog to suffer for six months, leading to the leg having to be amputated.
Despite having at least one other pet – another wire-haired Vizla, Feeley was not banned from owning animals but was ordered to relinquish Goose, who is now available for rehoming with the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home.
Sentencing | fined £326 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £130 and £1,521.60 costs.
CONVICTED (2023) | hillbilly brothers Grant Stuart Campbell and David Campbell of 74 Woodside Crescent, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 9NA – for appalling cruelty to multiple dogs in their care.
Grant Campbell received an indefinite ban on owning animals while David Campbell is only disqualified for five years. Photo: Daily Record
Self-styled ‘rat-catcher‘ Grant Campbell pleaded guilty to seven charges of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide veterinary treatment for various conditions and injuries affecting six dogs in his care, including a broken leg.
Injured dogs were kept in shocking conditions at the family home brothers Grant and David Campbell share with their mother MaryThe Campbells’ home in Woodside Crescent, Newmains, viewed from above
His brother David Campbell pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide a suitable environment for two of the dogs and failing to keep them free from suffering, injury or disease as their clinical condition strongly displayed signs of neglect and failure to seek veterinary care.
Scottish SPCA inspector, Dawn Murrie, said: “We had several dealings with Grant and David Campbell from March 2021 in regard to the conditions dogs were being kept in and traps Grant Campbell had around the Newmains area.
“Advice was given on the conditions the dogs were being kept in on several occasions and we issued an animal welfare notice that the Campbells complied with. Advice was also given to Grant Campbell on the operation of his traps and the requirements for their appropriate use.
Tara’s painful arthritis went untreated by her heartless owners
“On 19 October 2021 we received another complaint to our animal helpline about the conditions at the property.
“We attended and it was immediately clear that there were issues throughout. There was a strong foul odour as we entered, and the pathway into the garden and dog kennels was covered in faeces, hazards and rubbish.
“The kennels themselves were full of urine and faeces with a complete lack of suitable, dry bedding available for the dogs.
“One kennel was so full of faeces that no part of the flooring was visible. The door to this kennel was closed over and, at first, we assumed this to be a dumping ground for all of the faeces accumulated from the other dogs. Further examination revealed two large, adult deerhound type dogs, lying in the back compartment of the kennel.
“We had immediate concerns for the welfare of all of the animals on the premises and removed them for veterinary examination.
“Lass, one of the deerhounds, was found to have pressure sores and a fracture in her leg that the vet estimated would have been present for around three to four weeks. The break had been left untreated for so long that she had to have her leg amputated.
“Boy, another deerhound, only had three legs and was suffering from a displaced toe. Not only would this have caused him pain but the extra stress on them due to his missing leg would have been more than a normal limb usually supports.
“Gibbs, a pug, was suffering from a severe bacterial skin infection. Pinky, another pug, had an extremely infected and swollen toe.
“Tara, a Staffordshire bull terrier, and Buffy, a lurcher, were found to have arthritis, an extremely painful condition when left untreated.
“All of the dogs were suffering from dental disease to some extent.
“We are pleased that both brothers have received bans on keeping animals.”
Sentencing |
Grant Campbell: two year supervision order and six month restriction of liberty order.Banned from keeping any animal indefinitely.
David Campbell: community payback order of 300 hours to be completed over three years. Banned from keeping any animal for five years (expires July 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Malcolm J Leask, born 17 September 1987, from Stromness, Orkney Islands – committed a decade-long campaign of violence and cruelty towards animals, women and children.
Rapist, woman beater and child abuser Leask also caused suffering to animals by kicking, punching and choking two pet dogs and a puppy
Malcolm Leask, originally from Orkney but with links to Alva in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Hartlepool, was convicted of three offences of animal cruelty alongside six assault offences, six of rape, one of attempted murder, two of threatening or abusive behaviour and one breach of the peace.
The crimes were committed at addresses in Orkney and Clackmannanshire between 2008 and 2019.
The former butcher and amateur musician subjected a family Labrador to repeated brutality, punching and kicking the animal on her head and body, kneeling on her stomach, deliberately blowing smoke in her face, putting his hands round her throat and choking her.
He kicked a border collie in the head and side, breaking one of his ribs. He also put a black bin bag over the dog’s head and tried to suffocate him.
Another time he picked the “scared and yelping” collie up by his armpits and threw him onto the floor, leaving him with permanent damage to his back legs.
He also attacked an eight-month-old German Shepherd puppy, punching him on the head and ribs and “stamping” on his head.
The dog’s owner said she once came in to find Leask “strangling” him.
Leask told her the pup “had been bad and needed to be punished”.
An allegation that he had battered two terrapins to death with a hammer was withdrawn by the prosecution.
Leask, nicknamed Beefy, because he previously weighed 31 stone, raped two women and tried to murder one of the victims by holding her head under water. He used his enormous weight to pin down one of his rape victims.
One woman told the court that she was repeatedly raped by Leask and subjected to physical violence when he punched, kneed and choked her.
He also lifted her toddler daughter and threw her on to a chair.
A second woman said she was subjected to “pure nastiness” by Leask.
He had shouted and swore at her young daughter and chased and grabbed her son.
Leask, now married, denied 19 charges but was convicted following a trial.
Defence counsel Gordon Jackson KC said Leask had no previous convictions and suffered traumatic experiences earlier in his life.
Sentencing Leask, Judge Lord Scott told him that his offences show “a serious, violent and abusive course of conduct.” The judge also remarked that he was “unrepentant” and lacking in insight into the considerable damage he caused.
Sentencing | 12 years’ imprisonment with eight years of supervision following his release. Placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
#MostEvil | John Wilson Haxton aka John Falconer, born 9 August 1992, previously of Murrayburn Green, Edinburgh and at time of publication living in Glenrothes, Fife – beat his dog so badly she had to be put to sleep to end her suffering.
Haxton beat Roxy so severely the retinas of both eyes became detached.
Haxton was found to have abused his Staffordshire bull terrier dog, Roxy, leaving her blind with severe swelling.
Haxton first came to the attention of the Scottish SPCA in 2018 after reports had been made to its animal helpline of people having witnessed him kicking or abusing Roxy in public or hearing noises suggesting he was beating the dog inside his home.
The animal charity investigated, but at the time there was no evidence to support the reports and he was only issued warnings.
However, in 2020 members of the public intervened after he was seen to be badly beating Roxy in public.
Two members of the public took Roxy from Haxton and she was bleeding from the eye, had cuts across her body and her neck had significant swelling. She was very distressed and was urinating blood.
Roxy had suffered repeated attacks by her owner sustaining injuries so severe that she had to be euthanised on humane grounds.
The charity intervened again and inspector Fiona Thorburn met the members of the public at the vet where Roxy had been taken for emergency treatment.
The vet found numerous injuries on Roxy which suggested recent trauma including central blindness.
At that time, the vet determined that her vision would likely not return.
Roxy was required to stay at the hospital for 24 hours before she was transferred into the care of the Scottish SPCA.
Further examination found that she also had arthritis and a serious hip injury.
These conditions, as well as her recent injuries and blindness, were causing her immense pain and suffering and the sad decision was made to put her to sleep on welfare grounds.
Inspector Thorburn said: “The post-mortem showed that there had been bleeding to Roxy’s eyes for at least two days. The bleeding is generally associated with trauma to the eye and, in this case, to both of Roxy’s eyes. Her retinae were detached at least three days before her death which supports claims that Roxy was regularly beaten by Haxton.
“The vet concluded that Roxy had been caused severe unnecessary suffering as a result of the beating she received on May 2, 2020 and that the injuries sustained were a result of blunt trauma to her face, head and abdomen. She would have been caused immeasurable physical and mental pain and she was left terrified and anxious of human contact.
“It would have been clear to any responsible owner that Roxy needed emergency veterinary treatment.
“We liaised with the vet Roxy was registered with and found that earlier in 2020, she had been kicked so badly that she suffered a dislocated hip. Surgery to repair the injury was booked in but not taken forward.
“This is a very harrowing case and one that will stay with me and, I’m sure, everyone involved. The level of suffering inflicted on Roxy in Haxton’s care is unimaginable. She was put to sleep as a direct result of Haxton’s actions. We had hoped he would never be allowed to care for an animal ever again.
“We are extremely disappointed given the severity of the injuries Haxton inflicted on Roxy that he did not receive a lengthier ban or custodial sentence. Haxton had opportunities to relinquish ownership of his dog were he not coping but he refused and instead her suffering continued.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the two members of the public who witnessed Haxton beating Roxy in public and removed her from his care. Her injuries were so severe that who knows what would have happened if they hadn’t intervened. However, we wouldn’t recommend people put themselves in any danger in this sort of situation and to call Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA should they witness a crime such as this.”
Sentencing | 300-hour community payback order. Five-year ban on owning and keeping animals.
Haxton is living with a woman named Sarah Falconer at a property in Caskieberran Road, Glenrothes KY6 2NT. It’s rumoured that the pair of them have bought a kitten together despite him being banned from keeping or owning any animal.
Haxton with girlfriend Sarah Falconer, who’s from Glenrothes.
CONVICTED (2022) | Bryan Riley, born c. 1946, and wife Georgina Riley, born c. 1951, both of Gringley on the Hill – kept eight neglected dogs in the back of a filthy van.
Four of the dogs rescued from the stinking van where they were kept by their cruel owners, the Rileys. Lola (top left) had to have her eye removed.
The Rileys were prosecuted by the RSPCA after failing to comply with an assessment notice in relation to their eight badly neglected dogs. When RSPCA inspector Daniel Bradshaw and a police officer attempted to apprehend the couple, they drove off in a transit van.
The dogs were eventually removed from the back of the foul-smelling van, which was strewn with faeces
Among them was a four-year-old French bulldog called Lola, whose eyeball was so badly infected it later had to be removed.
Another French bulldog named Hugo had thinning fur and scabs on his coat, as well as a weeping sore.
A third French bulldog, Libby, had open sores on her face. Her collar was fastened so tightly that her neck was reddened.
A dachshund called Iggy was suffering from extensive hair-loss and scabbing. A second dachshund, Lady, had thinning fur.
Two poodles – a mother and daughter named Angel and Coco – had dirty matted coats while a a third poodle Rosie’s coat was matted with faeces and urine.
Veterinary examination found that most of the dogs were in various states of malnutrition.
In his witness statement, RSPCA Inspector Daniel Bradshaw said: “Lola’s eyeball was hanging out and appeared to have a large scab that was oozing blood and pus and appeared to have faeces stuck to it. She had scabs and sores in her coat as well as a skin condition.”
The inspector said of the van: “There was such a strong smell of faeces, urine and ammonia that I struggled to put my head inside for more than two seconds.”
Bryan Riley pleaded guilty to two offences of causing unnecessary suffering; one of failing to provide veterinary care for three dogs who were suffering from skin disease and the other of failing to provide veterinary care for the injury to Lola’s eye. He also admitted a third offence of failing to ensure the needs of all eight dogs were met.
Georgina Riley pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to ensure the needs of the eight dogs were met.
In mitigation, the court was told that the defendants suffer from physical ill health and were left with a number of dogs they had struggled to cope with, and were keeping them in the van because their property had become a target for burglars.
Thankfully the dogs all recovered and have been rehomed by the RSPCA.
Speaking after the court hearing, Inspector Bradshaw said: “Lola’s eye was very infected and to leave a dog with her eye hanging out like that was unacceptable, as was leaving all the dogs in such a poor environment in the back of a van from which urine and faeces was just seeping out.”
Sentencing | Bryan Riley: ordered to pay a fine, costs and surcharge totalling £1,225. Georgina Riley: ordered to pay £684 in total. Both were banned from keeping animals for eight years.
