CONVICTED (2008) | dog-fighters Anthony Mullen, born 7 September 1957 and Susan Hancock, born 28 December 1956, and their son Patrick (Paddy) Joseph Mullen, born 6 January 1982, all of 8 Tarragon Gardens, Northfield, Birmingham B31 5HU (address still correct April 2021) – kept dogs for organised fights despite previous bans for cruelty
The trio were all convicted of keeping two pit bull type dogs, which have been banned since 1991.
They were among a haul of eight terriers found at the family’s home in Taragon Gardens, Northfield.
Paddy Mullen pictured in April 2021
Returning guilty verdicts, District Judge Jobi Bopa Rai said: “I would go as far as to say that all three are involved with either breeding or keeping dogs that were intended for dog fighting, although I appreciate they were not charged with these offences.”
The trio were arrested at their home in April 2007 during a joint raid between RSPCA officers and police.
Anthony Mullen and Hancock were also found guilty of two counts each of breaching bans on keeping animals from an earlier conviction in 2005 where they were found to have three pit bull terrier-type dogs at their house.
For that offence Mullen, who was already serving a lifetime ban on keeping animals from 2001 for his involvement in a UK-wide dog-fighting ring, was sentenced to three months in jail.
Both he and Hancock had claimed that the dogs found in 2007 belonged to their son Patrick and they had no part in looking after them.
But Miss Bopa-Rai refused to accept their claims and found Patrick Mullen guilty of a further two charges of aiding and abetting his parents in keeping the dogs.
During the raid in 2007 animal medication including steroids and wound treatment powder were found along with superglue, which expert witnesses said could be used to “sew together” wounds from dog fighting.
Miss Bopa-Rai added: “I don’t think the items in the house had an innocent explanation, not when they were together as a kit.”
Ian Briggs, chief inspector of the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, said: “This is the third time that we’ve seen Anthony Mullen in court.”
All three were also convicted of breaking a ban on keeping dogs.
Paddy Mullen posted this image showing clear evidence of dog-fighting activity to his Facebook profile as recently as May 2018
Ian Briggs, chief inspector for the RSPCA, said they were “extremely pleased” with the result.
He added: “But it is a sad fact that we are at court again with yet another case relating to the breeding and possession of pit bull terriers.
“This case, as well as the recent raids we carried out, provides a clear indication of the increased activity nationally of individuals involved in the dog-fighting scene.”
Sentencing: Anthony Mullen was jailed for six months. Hancock and Patrick Mullen received a four-month and three-month suspended jail term respectively.
CONVICTED (2008) | dog fighter Clayton Paul Beard, born 2 May 1983, and as of June 2021 of The Beeches, Prospect Way, Birchills, Walsall WS2 7FD
Clayton Beard, then of Cannon Street, Ryecroft, Walsall, had three dogs in his possession when RSPCA inspectors raided his home in 2007. Beard, whom locals nicknamed “the Dog Man”, admitted owning two male and one female pit bulls, causing unnecessary suffering to one of the dogs, possessing animal fighting equipment and keeping or training the dogs for fighting purposes.
A treadmill and other equipment was found at Beard’s home and the court heard how he forced his dogs through a cruel daily training schedule. A makeshift veterinary kit, which included superglue for sealing fighting wounds, was also discovered.
One dog, called Lee, had suffered 70 wounds. Another two animals also had 35 wounds and 24 wounds each.
Magistrates ordered two dogs to be destroyed immediately.
The case was the first dog fighting prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, according to the RSPCA.
Magistrate Michael Kearns said a custodial sentence had been “inevitable”.
He told Beard that he had three “highly dangerous dogs of an aggressive breed” in his possession.
The three dogs had received many wounds “over a prolonged period which must have caused them suffering”, but Beard had made “no effort” to seek veterinary attention for them.
Instead, Beard had been involved in treating the animals’ wounds so that they could fight again, the court heard.
The court heard that Beard was a man of “limited cognitive ability” who had received “abuse” from his neighbours.
Speaking outside court, Chief Inspector Ian Briggs, of the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, said he was “extremely pleased” with the custodial sentence and ban.
He said: “People involved in these activities should not be able to own animals.”
He said that animal protection bodies had welcomed the new offences of possessing articles adapted for training animals to fight, and keeping animals in connection with fighting.
He said: “We always come across these articles on dog fighting operations, but before it’s never been an offence.”
Sentencing: 18 weeks in custody. Banned for life from keeping or being responsible for any animals.
In November 2007 an Irish traveller named Ceri Louisa O’Neill, also from Birchills in Walsall, was banned from keeping dogs for three years after admitting selling the pit bull terrier known as Lee to Clayton Beard.
James Cooper, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court the offences came to light when an inspector and police officers visited Beard’s home following a tip-off.
Mr Cooper told the court the inquiry then moved to Miner Street, where O’Neill lived at the time with adult sons James and Patrick O’Neill and daughter Astar Louise O’Neill.
He said: “The defendant accepted the dog had been in her possession and that she took it to Beard to be treated by him and in fact sold it to him for £100.”
When pit bull expert Jane Robson examined Lee there was evidence of more than 45 wounds, scabs on his face, head, chest and legs. Some were four to six weeks old.
Mr Stephen Scully, defending, said: “Earlier this year her ex-husband brought the dog as a gift. He told her he rescued it from fighting.”
He said when the couple split the dog was left in her care. She took him to Beard later that day after the animal was involved in a “scrap” with other dogs in Pelsall after her daughter took him to a fair without her permission.
Ceri Louise O’Neill is now deceased.
As of June 2021 Astar O’Neill, born 24 July 1991, lives at the Caravan Site, Ruthin Road, Coedpoeth, Wrexham LL11 3BP.
Five men involved in an organised dogfighting enterprise were given prison sentences following a major RSPCA undercover operation.
The men received prison terms of between four and five months whilst others were handed suspended sentences, bans on possession of dogs and community service. Charges ranged from managing premises for dogfighting to possession of pitbull-type dogs, which are illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The Defendants
Adio Clarke, born c. 1985, of 112 Holly Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B20 2DA: Pleaded guilty to managing premises for dogfighting, possessing 11 pitbull-type dogs, and to causing unnecessary suffering to three of the dogs.
The court heard that when police raided Clarke’s home, they found 11 pit bull terriers, all suffering injuries apparently caused by dog fights.
One of the animals was found to have 157 separate injuries. Another dog had suffered a broken pelvis and another had had one ear almost severed.
Because the dogs were held illegally, Clarke was unable to take them to a vet to receive proper treatment. Instead, he had treated the injuries himself, often inadequately or ineptly.
When officers raided Clarke’s home in April 2006, they found six pit bulls chained up in the garden, more dogs inside the house and a video showing two young dogs attacking each other in a sparring bout.
Clarke received four months in prison, and was banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Assam Noshad Lone, age unknown, of 115 Brockhurst Road, Birmingham B36 8JE: Found guilty of possessing two pitbull-type dogs. Received four months prison (suspended for one year), £1200 costs, five-year ban on owning dogs, 120 hour community punishment order.
Amar Ali, born c. 1981, of 89 Edgebaston Road, Smethwick B66 4LF: Pleaded guilty to 12 charges of possession of pitbull-type dogs.
Amar Ali pictured during his court appearance.
The court heard that police found 16 dogs, including 12 pit bull terriers, and dog fighting paraphernalia when they targeted Ali’s home in 2006.
The garden of the property had been divided into three sections and was devoted to pit bulls, who were given their own kennels and runs.
The equipment seized included “flirt poles”, used to make the animals jump to strengthen their legs, and treadmill exercisers.
Medication normally only used by vets was found, along with special sticks designed to force a dog’s jaws apart.
Videos showing dog fighting in Pakistan and Croatia were also discovered by police, along with dog fighting magazines.
Ali received 20 weeks in prison, suspended for one year, 10-year ban on possession of dogs, and 150 hours community service. More on him here.
Mir Dawood, born c. 1979, of Anglesey Street, Lozells, Birmingham B19 pleaded guilty to owning one pitbull-type dog, and breaching a ban on possession of dogs.
Dawood’s home was raided in the early hours of April 4, 2006 as part of a larger citywide police operation.
Officers found four kennels with runs in the back garden, in an area which had been gated off, one of which contained a pitbull terrier which was aged between one and three years.
Along with dog leads and food a treadmill was also found, used for exercising the dog, he said.
Dawood pleaded guilty on the basis that the animal belonged to his older brother, who lived with their mother.
He said Dawood was looking after the animal because their mother did not like dogs.
Dawood was banned in 2001 for ten years from keeping dogs when he was found in possession of a pitbull terrier, so was well aware of the danger the breed presented.
Dawood received four months in prison and disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Kamran Iqbal of Sandbourne Road, Alum Rock, Birmingham B8 3NT: Found guilty of possessing a pitbull-type dog and causing unnecessary suffering to that dog. Received five months in prison and a five-year ban on keeping dogs, plus forfeiture of that dog and associated equipment.
Mohammed Shazad, born c. 1982, of Holly Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B20 pleaded guilty to three charges owning pitbull-type dogs.
2019 police mugshot of Mohammed Shazad
Shazad, who went on to be jailed for 10 years in 2019 for cocaine dealing, received a four-month sentence for each offence, to run concurrently, a five-year disqualification for keeping dogs and forfeiture of all items seized.
Wasim Azam, born c. 1983 of 143 Bevington Road, Aston, Birmingham B6 6HS: Pleaded guilty to owning two pitbull-type dogs. Received four months in prison, disqualified from keeping dogs for five years, plus forfeiture of associated equipment.
Operation Lace was a major investigation into dogfighting in the Birmingham area conducted on 4 April 2006 by the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), West Midlands Police and RSPCA inspectors.
It followed the discovery of a dogfight in the Alum Road area of Birmingham in February 2006*.
During the operation 51 dogs (including 45 pitbull-type dogs) were seized and a number of items including treadmills (pictured below), a video, veterinary kits, breaking sticks and other dog fighting paraphernalia were taken away.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Mike Butcher of the SOU said: “This was a complete dogfighting enterprise – they had a venue, and they bred, sold and fought dogs. We’re delighted that the courts have recognised the severity of these offences and hope it gives a hard message to anyone else engaged in what is an appallingly cruel practice.
“This country banned dogfighting more than 150 years ago because it was barbaric, but still some people seem to get their kicks from seeing two animals rip each other to pieces. We shall fight on to ensure these people are stopped.
“We’d like to thank West Midlands Police for their help and co-operation in this case, and we will continue to work closely with all authorities to stop this abhorrent practice.”
CONVICTED (2007) | Ricardo Byfield, born c. 1980, and wife Lisa Elizabeth Harvey, born 24/02/1973, previously of Whitton Avenue West, Northolt, Ealing, but as of 2020 of St Johns House, Lytham Street, Walworth, London SE17 2PW – illegally bred pit bull terriers to use in organised dog fights.
Lisa Harvey and Ricardo Byfield kept a pack of scarred fighting dogs at their one-bedroom council property in Northolt, Ealing
Career criminal Ricardo Byfield and wife Lisa Harvey were prosecuted under the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 and the Protection of Animals Act 1911.
Following a tip-off by neighbours, police raided the couple’s house in August 2006 to rescue 26 dogs. Most were pit bulls but three Dogues de Bordeaux, a rottweiler and a Staffordshire bull terrier were also found.
The animals were found locked in cages around the one-bedroomed council home, which doubled as a dog-training gym.
The dogs were found covered in scars from vicious dog-fights and some were marked on documents as “Champion” or “Grand Champion” – meaning they had won several fights.
Police mugshot of dog fighter Ricardo Byfield
Puppies aged between two weeks and four months old were also rescued in the raid.
A makeshift treadmill which officers believe was used to exercise the dogs and build up their powerful shoulder muscles was also recovered.
Byfield admitted 19 counts of possession and breeding of dangerous dogs and Harvey admitted one charge of possession and breeding of dangerous dogs.
Chairman of the bench Jeffrey Bonn said it was clear both Byfield and Harvey had been actively involved in dog fighting and breeding dogs over a substantial period of time.
“We owe the public the right to be protected from the possibility of these animals escaping and causing harm, which we are in no doubt was a very real possibility,” he said.
An order to destroy 19 pit bull dogs, made by prosecutor Noel Watkins, was unopposed by their owners and upheld by the court.
Sentencing: six months in jail. Lifetime ban on owning or keeping dogs. Byfield was ordered to pay £500 and Harvey to pay £250.
CONVICTED (2001) | dogfighting ring members with a twisted obsession for animal cruelty Kenneth Charles Langan, born 12/03/1968, of 277 Valley Road, Portslade, Brighton BN41 2TH, Jeremy Peter Brown, born 11/09/1954, of 4 Tennyson Street, Chesterfield S42 5TY, John Anthony Mullen, born 07/09/1957, of 8 Tarragon Gardens, Northfield, Birmingham B31 5HU and Ryan Nuttall, born c. 1971, of 129 Garden Terrace, Newstead Village, Nottingham NG15 0BX
2019 photo of Ryan Nuttall from Newstead Village, Nottingham
The men pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals, failing to provide veterinary care, and providing premises for dog-fighting.
Ryan Nuttall pleaded guilty to 11 charges, while Mullen, Langan and Brown denied some of the lesser charges which included being present at an illegal dog fight.
All four were caught after undercover journalists bought a pit bull terrier and tricked their way into the gang by pretending to be interested in their animal fighting
Sentencing the defendants, District Judge Peter Nuttall said: “To any right-thinking member of the public, dog-fighting, and everything which goes with it, is offensive.
“These were dogs which were used to fighting and they were bred for that.”
He added that a large amount of dog-fighting literature, equipment and cartoons depicting dog-fighting found at the defendants’ addresses showed “an unhealthy obsession” with the practice.
Langan, Nuttall and Brown were sentenced to four months in prison, while Mullen received a three-month custodial sentence.
Paul King, prosecuting, had told the court how seven pit bull-type dogs seized by the RSPCA had suffered hundreds of cuts, puncture wounds and injuries – none of which had been treated by a vet.
The dogfighting ring had conducted fights at two hidden pits at Chesterfield and Newstead in the Mansfield area of Nottinghamshire.
The outcome was hailed by the RSPCA, whose special operations unit had brought the prosecution, as a “fantastic result”.
Speaking after the case RSPCA Chief Inspector Mike Butcher said: “I think this sends a clear message to the public and to other dog-fighters that if they are caught they will go to prison.
“Dog-fighting is a bloody, cruel and brutal sport carried out by people with a perverse sense of pride in their animals.
“Three of the dogs taken in this case had deep scarring and wounds to the face and chest.
“This sentence is a fantastic result for everyone involved, and to have these men taken out of the picture really strikes a blow against animal abusers.”
But despite the victory the RSPCA are concerned that the full picture of dog-fighting in the UK – banned in 1835 – is unknown.
Mr Butcher said: “I have been working to beat these kinds of people for more than 15 years and it is getting harder and harder to catch them.”
Another spokesperson from the animal welfare organisation echoed his fears, saying the illicit nature of dog-fighting meant “most of the time it is very difficult to know where it is being carried out, and the extent of the problem is difficult to assess”.
Sentencing: custodial. All four men were banned from keeping animals for life.
