Tag Archives: Sunderland

Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Sunderland: Alan Davison

February 2, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | serial animal abuser Alan Davison, born 09/01/1972, of Lynthorpe, Sunderland SR2 0ES – caught on camera as he beat, kicked and threatened his pet dog with weapons on nine different occasions

Violent dog abuser Alan Davison from Sunderland.

Alan Davison was found guilty in his absence of causing unnecessary suffering to his pet dog and two counts of failing to ensure animal welfare, between June 30 and July 14, 2017.

He was filmed on nine occasions by a neighbour, who was so horrified that she screamed at him to stop and contacted police.

The court heard that the physical abuse would have caused soft tissue trauma of bruising, pain and discomfort, but the ongoing fear would be psychological suffering, which some dogs never recover from

John Ellwood, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: “The basic facts are that he caused suffering to his Staffordshire bull terrier by hitting, kicking and frightening the dog.

“The defendant’s conduct came to light as a result of the caring conduct of a neighbour, who lives out the back of the defendant.

“She saw the defendant in his back garden, abusing his dog and reported it to the police. This was back in March 2017.

“The police delegated the investigation to the RSPCA who visited the defendant.

“At that time the evidence from the neighbour was merely a complaint and as a result the defendant was warned about his conduct and given advice.

“He claimed at the time that he was merely reprimanding his dog.

Mr Ellwood continued: “Unfortunately, the defendant did not listen to this advice and the neighbour began to get more and more concerned as she witnessed the defendant beating his dog on regular occasions.

“She decided that when she heard the dog yelping she would video the conduct and she did so on nine occasions.

“These videos show the defendant kicking his dog, hitting his dog, throwing water on his dog and threatening his dog with weapons.

“The behaviour is most bizarre. On some of the videos, it can be seen that the dog is being hit and then being coaxed back to the defendant and then being hit again.

“On occasions it has been seen that the dog has been thrown into the house and has been yelping.

“As the witness explains, the defendant’s conduct is contradictory and confusing to the dog and must have had severe psychological impact upon it.

“It hardly needs a vet to say that this conduct caused suffering, but a vet has viewed the videos and has commented that the physical abuse would have caused soft tissue trauma of bruising, pain and discomfort, but the ongoing fear would be psychological suffering, which some dogs never recover from.”

Mr Ellwood added: “As a result of all this, the RSPCA interviewed the defendant, who at first denied that he had done anything wrong, but then when he was told there were videos, he admitted he was in the wrong.”

Tony Southwick, defending, said Davison suffers from mental health problems and has sought assistance from his GP.

He said: “Given the matter before the court it will no longer be possible for him to have an animal and he regrets that because, in his words, that was his only company at the time.

“He accepts the animal can’t return to him and he is more than happy for the dog to be signed over, but he regrets not having the company.

“I was surprised to see the level of his problems in the pre-sentence report.

“These were actions bourne out of his condition.”

Sentencing:
Davison was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. Total of £415 costs and charges. 25 days of rehabilitation activity. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years with no right of appeal for five years.

Daily Mail

Dogs

Sunderland, Tyne and Wear: Kayleigh Laybourn

November 21, 2017 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2017) | Kayleigh Laybourn (aka Kayleigh Fenwick), born 29 October 1990, of Londonderry Terrace, Sunderland SR3 2EE – allowed her pet lurcher to starve

Kayleigh Laybourn, a convicted animal abuser from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK

The lurcher, called Margo, was described as ’emaciated’ when RSPCA inspectors acted on a tip-off from a member of the public, Sunderland magistrates heard.

But the court heard owner Laybourn did not appear to accept she should have fed the dog,

Margo became emaciated after Kayleigh Laybourn opted not to feed her

John Ellwood, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said an inspector visited the home Laybourn shared with her two children after a complaint was made about her in June 2017.

The charity made three separate visits, but Laybourn failed to respond.

Mr Ellwood said: “This case concerns a dog – Margot. She was emaciated.

“Margot was in a small, cramped utility area. She was extremely skinny, with prominent hips, ribs and spine. All the ridges on the spine were visible.

“Margot weighed 25.3kg, she should have weighed 30kg. She was in poor body condition, with a poor quality coat.

“Bloods were taken which showed she had a low red cell count and other problems, either as a result of starvation or liver problems.

When Margo returned to the vet a few weeks later after being fed a proper diet she had gained 6lbs.

Mr Ellwood went on: “I can safely say that Margot was suffering from emaciation from lack of food.

“Since emaciation is the lowest stage of starvation that a dog can reach before death, this case must have involved a prolonged period of suffering.

“Whilst the defendant accepts she should have taken the dog to the vet, she doesn’t appear to accept that she should have fed it.

“Margot has now been fed back to full health.”

Laybourn pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. She was due to be sentenced on 7 December 2017 but no details are available.

Sunderland Echo

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

Chester-le-Street, County Durham: Adam McCarthy

November 10, 2017 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2017) | Adam Reid George McCarthy, born 04/01/1989, previously of Ethel Street, Sunderland, and as at late 2019 of Ravensworth Road, Birtley, Chester Le Street DH3 1EE – kicked former partner’s chihuahua to death during a row

Dog killer Adam McCarthy and his tiny victim, Chihuahua Mollie

Adam McCarthy, who has more than 20 convictions for domestic violence, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the tiny chihuahua, named Mollie.

Mollie’s owner told the court how McCarthy – a known drug and alcohol abuser – attacked her and when the dog started barking turned on her as well. He screamed at Molly “you can shut up you fucking little rat” before kicking her into the external wall of the premises and killing her instantly.

District Judge Roger Elsey jailed McCarthy for six months after he admitted common assault and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The judge expressed doubts over McCarthy’s expression of remorse and blasted him for his record of violence against women.

Judge Elsey said: “The pre-sentence report shows 20 domestic violence incidents involving you and as is common with domestic abusers you have problems with alcohol and substance use.

“I have no doubt your brutality towards that dog together with the violence and harm you inflicted on Miss Ing means a custodial sentence can be justified.

“The maximum sentence I can impose is six months and that is the sentence you will serve.”

He also ordered that McCarthy forfeits the two dogs that he already owns, which infuriated the defendant.

Sentencing: Jailed for six months for attacking the dog, and for five months for assaulting his partner – sentences to run concurrently. Banned from owning animals for an unspecified period.

BBC News

Equine Abuse, farms / smallholdings, Food Production, horses and ponies

Sunderland: Lian Wilson and Daniel Mark Jones

February 1, 2017 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2017) | Lian Wilson (since deceased), born 1974, and son Daniel Mark Jones, born c. 1997, of Ramillies Road, Red House, Sunderland SR5 5JF – left their wounded pony chained on an allotment

Horse abuser Daniel Mark Jones from Sunderland

RSPCA prosecutor Denise Jackman told the court how piebald stallion Milo was found on July 11, 2016, after concerns were raised for a horse at Downhill Allotments, in Sunderland.

Animal collection officers attended the scene and found Milo with a chain wrapped around his neck, with his head collar entangled in the chain. There was a large wound under the animal’s chin.

Abused pony Milo was found tethered by a rope to the ground. Now his owners Lian Wilson and Daniel Mark Jones of Sunderland have been banned from keeping horses.

“The piebald pony was tethered to the ground by a chain and rope,” Mrs Jackman said.

“The tether had become embedded in the skin, behind the ears and top of the neck, and there was a large wound under its chin.”

The court heard a vet and the police were called and Milo was released with bolt cutters.

Jones then appeared by the field asking why they were taking his pony away. Mrs Jackman said Milo was taken away and for further veterinary examination.

She added: “It became immediately clear that the depth of the wounds were much greater than previously thought.”

Mrs Jackman said: “The vet was of the opinion that the pony has suffered unnecessarily.

On July 14, 2016, Wilson contacted the RSPCA and stated she was the joint owner of the pony, with her son.

The following day the pair were visited by the RSPCA and refused to sign the pony over to the charity.

“The horse has now, this morning, been signed over the the RSPCA,” Mrs Jackman said.

Wilson told the inspector she was unaware of wounds, while her son said he checked the horse in between his work shifts and that he changed the horse’s position in the tether every 10 days.

Mrs Jackman referred to guidance from Defra, which states that a tether should be be used only as a short-term measure, and should be used only while stopping during short journeys and under increased supervision.

The pair both admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Milo.

Bench chairman Peter De Vere said: “From the photographs we can clearly see that the horse was suffering but the rest of the horse looked well.

“This was for a short period of time.”

Sentencing:
Total fines and charges of £334.50 each. Banned from keeping horses and ponies for five years with the right to appeal after just one year (ban expired February 2022) .

Source: Sunderland Echo (article removed)

Dogs

Southwick, City of Sunderland: Alan Noble

August 24, 2016 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2016) | Alan T Noble, born 20 September 1983, of Trinity Street, Southwick, Sunderland SR5 2EG – left two rescue Dogues de Bordeaux out in the cold, with no water or shelter.

Alan Noble neglected Dogues de Bordeaux Ruby and Hooch — Alan Noble rescued Ruby and Hooch from a shelter but then kept them outside without shelter in the cold and failed to feed them properly or treat their health conditions.

Dogues de Bordeaux Ruby and Hooch had been rescued from a shelter by Alan Noble, but their new home was not a happy one, Instead, Noble left them outside without water or shelter in wintry conditions, and did nothing to address Ruby’s skin and eye condition.

Judith Curry, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said an inspector first visited Noble’s home after an anonymous tip-off.

Miss Curry said: “She met Mr Noble, who refused to allow her through the property, but he did take her to the back garden, where she was shown two dogs through the fence.

“Ruby and Hooch were both in a lean condition, but appeared alert.

“Mr Noble stated that he was in the process of completing a new kennel. He said the back door was always open so they could have access to the house.”

Miss Curry said the inspector came across several breaches of the Animal Welfare Act, including lack of nutrition, shelter or bedding.

She added: “The yard was in a dangerous condition, with a lot of items that pose a threat to animals.”

Noble was given advice on how to rectify the problems, especially in view of the cold weather, and an RSPCA inspector returned a few days later to find Noble was not home.

On December 20, 2015, they went back to the house, where they met Noble outside, refusing to show them the dogs.

“He stated that he had no keys to access the property and that the gates to the back garden were padlocked and the dogs were aggressive.”

Police were called and the inspector examined the dogs, who both had visible and prominent ribs, hips and spines.

“Ruby was very lethargic,” Miss Curry added. “The inspector said the animals needed to see a vet and Mr Noble signed them over to the RSPCA.”

The dogs were taken to see a vet and Hooch, who was underweight but required no treatment, was released to the care of the RSPCA on a special diet. Ruby was hospitalised, suffering from dehydration and a skin and eye condition. They have both been rehomed.

Noble was interviewed, saying he did feed the dogs three times a day with three 15kg bags of dried dog food per week. He said he’d taken in the rescue dogs four months prior and that his care had improved their health.

Noble pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to meet the needs of Ruby and Hooch, in that they were kept in an environment that contained hazardous objects and no adequate shelter; that he failed to provide them with a suitable diet and fresh water; and that he failed to address veterinary care in respect of infections.

Sentence: 12-month community order, with a three-month curfew; total of £210 costs. No ban.

Source: Sunderland Echo (article removed)

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Sunderland, Tyne and Wear: Alisha Healey

May 2, 2016 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2016) | Alisha Healey, born c. 1990, most recently of Flodden Road, Ford Estate, Sunderland – left a tiny shih-tzu to suffer from a painful eye and skin condition just weeks after being violently choked

RSPCA prosecutor Judith Curry said the charity had first become involved with the dog, Molly, in July 2015.

“An incident had been reported, whereby Molly had been choked,” Ms Curry said. “It was a violent attack that had gone on within the home.”

On September 30, 2015, the RSPCA received a call about a dog in a ‘very poor condition’ and an inspector attended an address in Sunderland, where the tan and white pet was found.

“She had long fur and a very strong smell was coming from her,” Ms Curry said.

“She was covered in numerous small matts of fur, all over her face and the underside of her belly. She had a dry, crusty discharge coming from her eyes and her eyes were cloudy.”

The dog was taken to the vets.

“Molly had difficulty seeing where she was going and was sniffing the floor to see where she was going, due to the amount of discharge from her eyes.

“This caused a mass across the eyes, causing problems with vision. She was rubbing her face and eyes on anything, due to the itching. “

The mats were so attached to the skin it had become ulcerated. The epidermis had eroded, with sores under both eyes.

“It is the vet’s opinion that Molly was caused unnecessary suffering over a number of weeks.”

When Healey was interviewed by RSPCA inspectors, she had not taken Molly to the vets for a number of years. Molly was voluntarily signed over by Healey and went on to be rehomed after being nursed back to health.

Sentence: fined £60; banned from keeping animals for five years (expired 2021).

Source: Sunderland Echo (article removed).

Additional information

Private message received from a friend of Molly’s new to our old Facebook page ‘Pet Abuse UK’ regarding the case.

The report from the paper doesn’t tell the half of it! shocking! Molly is a lovely little dog. Shes so loving . I cant believe someone could hurt her…but my god she has been left with some serious long term damage.

She was shot with an airgun (still has the pellet in her stomach near her left rear leg), she is brain damaged because of being repeatedly choked unconscious & she has regular seizures, every time she’s startled or knocked or when the Jack Russell tried to play with her.

The foster carer said she’d been burnt as well. I cant believe this article has been so bloody vague!

She has to take regular medication for the seizures but to be honest I don’t think it makes a difference.

From what we know there was a man involved, possibly a partner of that witch you see in the article. That bloody reporter wants a kick up the arse for such shoddy work, absolute disgrace!

The punishment is a joke, absolute bloody joke, they tortured this lovely little animal, absolute disgrace!!

Alisha Healey’s partner at the time of her conviction (and possibly still) was serial criminal Ian McCabe. His extensive criminal record includes convictions for violence and dishonesty.

Alisha Healey with Ian McCabe. Picture: Facebook. — Healey with then partner, Ian McCabe

In March 2017 roofer McCabe pleaded guilty to assault, disorderly behaviour and causing harassment, alarm or distress following a series of terrifying attacks on women who were all strangers to him.

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Worst of the Worst

Hetton-le-Hole, Tyne and Wear: Alan Smith

February 25, 2012 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2012) | violent career criminal Alan Smith, born 26/03/1981, previously of Hebburn, South Tyneside, but as of 2020 living at 43 The Avenue, Hetton-le-Hole DH5 9DQ – abandoned two dogs to starve to death in atrocious conditions

Evil dog killer Alan Smith formerly of Hebburn, South Tyneside

When bailiffs forced their way into Alan Smith’s flat to serve an eviction notice, they found his mastiff Sam lying dead in a living room surrounded by dog dirt and rubbish.

They also found an emaciated Staffordshire bull terrier called Lily in the room, who had only survived by eating flesh from the dead dog.

The bailiffs called in the RSPCA who took the surviving dog to a vet and had a post-mortem examination carried out on the mastiff. This revealed both dogs had been starved of food and water for about a month.

The floor of Alan Smith's Hebburn flat was encrusted with faeces, waste littered the furniture and the corpse of a dog named Sam lay rotting in the doorway. — The floor of Alan Smith’s Hebburn flat was encrusted with faeces, waste littered the furniture and the corpse of a dog named Sam lay rotting in the doorway.

Smith appeared by videolink as he was already serving a three-year prison sentence for an unrelated crime.

No charges were brought regarding Lily, after Smith told magistrates she belonged to his girlfriend.

Denise Jackman, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: “When the bailiff opened the door to the living room, a small dog ran out and went to the toilet to drink water.

“A large emaciated dog was dead in the corner of the room. The smaller dog had been living off the corpse, as half of its face was missing.

“The room was strewn with faeces, empty beer cans and other rubbish. Both dogs were almost skeletal.”

Staffy Lily survived by feeding on the carcass of her starved mate

Speaking about the case after sentencing, RSPCA inspector Claire Hunt said: “This was an extremely shocking case that upset everyone who dealt with it.”

“This dog died an awful death, deprived of the most basic of things, food and water, for up to a month. The fact that the other dog survived such a horrendous ordeal is a miracle.

“The room they were in was covered in faeces and urine, beer cans and other rubbish and there was a chewed up sofa. She was literally living off the flesh of her mate. When the bailiffs opened the door she shot out of the room and started to drink from the toilet.

“Happily, she is now with new owners and having the kind of life she always deserved.”

Sentence: jailed for 17 weeks, banned from looking after animals for 10 years (expired February 2022).

Huffington Post
Four legged friends (blog)

Update April 2020:

April 2020: Alan Smith was jailed for nine months after threatening a woman with an axe. Headcase Smith was taken into custody following a three-hour stand-off with armed police. In addition to the prison sentence, Smith was given a five-year restraining order.

UK Animal Cruelty Files