CONVICTED (2024) | Ian Rosenberg, born c. 1964, of South Haven Close, Hamworthy, Poole BH16 5BJ – illegally bred and sold puppies.
Illegal dog breeder/dealer Ian Rosenberg (right) with one of his many traveller friends
Rosenberg, who has strong connections to the traveller community, is said to have earned £53,260 through his illegal activities, which he will have to repay.
An investigation led by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) into Rosenberg’s operations ran between October 2019 and July 2022, and involved a raid of his Hamworthy property in July 2021.
The warrant was issued by Dorset Police, welfare checks were done by the RSPCA and the council’s Animal Welfare Officers were able to investigate at his premises.
Rosenberg was found to be housing 50 dogs and five litters of puppies.
Trading Standards then carried out a financial investigation which led to the successful prosecution.
This was the first successful conviction by BCP Council in bringing an unlicensed breeder to justice.
In court, he was found guilty of breeding three or more litters of English Bulldog, French Bulldog and Cocker Spaniel puppies over a 12-month period.
He was also found guilty of selling the puppies without a licence.
Sentencing | two months in prison, suspended for 12 months; 120 hours of unpaid work; repayment of the money he benefitted from through his illegal activity, with £10,500 having to be settled within a three-month period. If any of the payments default, Rosenberg will face six months in jail.
CONVICTED (2022) | Michael Breed, born 25 December 1946, and Ashley Breed, born 10 August 1994, of Hodge Close, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 4ST – starved and neglected an elderly dog over several weeks.
Mike and Ash Breed
The Breeds pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences in relation to their pet dog Ruby, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
They admitted failing to investigate and address the cause of Ruby’s poor bodily condition and weight loss and failed to provide veterinary treatment in respect of “skin and ear disease”.
RSPCA Inspector Sarah Morris visited the pair’s home on March 22, 2022, to investigate a report of concern about the welfare of a dog at the address. She was shown Ruby, a 12-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, who was in an emaciated state with skin problems and fleas crawling over her body.
Inspector Morris said: “She also had a long dangling growth hanging from her stomach which was approximately five inches long which looked swollen and sore. Her feet also appeared red and swollen and she had a pungent smell about her. Her ears also appeared to be blocked and filthy inside.”
Vets examined Ruby and concluded she was in such a severe condition she was suffering as a result. They also weighed her as being 10.1kg. In her report, the vet said Ruby had experienced a “prolonged period of neglect” and hadn’t received the veterinary treatment she needed.
She added: “On clinical examination, Ruby showed evidence of chronic skin disease. The skin showed changes consistent with disease that had been present for a long period of time with thickening and lichenification of her neck and limbs.
“The skin over her entire body felt greasy and there was scabbing present. There was generalised loss of the hair and thinning of any area where hair did remain. Adult and immature fleas were also present and there was copious flea dirt.”
The vet also noted that she had blocked ears that had been left untreated.
When offered food Ruby was ravenous and continued to look for food even once feeding had stopped.
Ruby was taken to RSPCA Cornwall’s Venton Animal Centre and fostered by one of the team. During the months she spent in the foster home, she gained weight and strength but fell ill with pyometra – an infection of the uterus caused by not being spayed – and sadly passed away.
In mitigation, it was said the Breeds did not intentionally set out to harm Ruby.
Speaking after the hearing, Inspector Sarah Morris said: “Ruby was left to suffer without the help she clearly required. There is never an excuse for ignoring an animal in need.”
Sentencing | Both men were sentenced to 16 weeks’ custody, suspended for 16 months. Disqualified for keeping any animal for ten years (right of appeal after five years).
CONVICTED (2022) | Matthew Vann, born 13 April 1995, of 6 The Boulevard, Doncaster DN3 2QH, Lewis Mathew Hill, born 20 June 2000, of Bentley Road, Doncaster DN5, and Ellie May Scorer, born 16 May 2000, of Tennyson Road, Bentley, Doncaster DN5 0EG – convicted for hunting wild mammals with dogs.
L-R Lewis Hill, Ellie Scorer, Matty Vann. All images: Facebook
All three were found guilty of hunting wild mammals with dogs and killing deer at night, while Vann was also found guilty of criminal damage and off-road driving.
The case related to an incident on 21 December 2020, when officers received reports of a car driving through a farmer’s field and the sound of an animal being attacked by dogs.
Images: South Yorkshire Police
Police arrived on the scene and intercepted a Subaru Forester. Vann, Scorer and Hill were found in the vehicle, with four lurcher-type dogs and a number of high-powered lamps.
On examination of the field, it was discovered that the vehicle had caused extensive damage to the crops – and the body of a dead deer was discovered.
Special Chief Inspector O’Neill, leading the investigation, said: “Night-time poaching is not a harmless, victimless crime and it is something we will take seriously.
“Having a 4×4 vehicle tearing through a field is frightening for nearby residents who have no idea what the occupants’ intentions are. In this instance, a deer suffered a cruel and painful death having been mauled by large dogs and damage was caused to the farmer’s crop by the soil being compacted by the tyres and essentially making it unsuitable for crop to grow.
“I am pleased to see that the judge has recognised the impact wildlife crime has on our area. I hope this will deter people from coming into our area and that they are aware we will use all tools available to us to secure a conviction.
“I would like to thank the Country Watch members around Swinefleet and the Isle of Axholme for being vigilant and often giving their time up to report suspicious activity to us. This is an excellent example of teamwork.”
Sentencing | Vann, Scorer and Hill were each sentenced to an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, a rehabilitation activity requirement, forfeiture of lamps, £600 costs and £120 compensation.
CONVICTED (2021) | Susan Alison Shears, born 22 October 1947 of 71 Main Street, Goole DN14 0AE, and son John A Shears, born 13 April 1989, of Pasture House, Rawcliffe, Goole DN14 8SH, – for cruelty to two donkeys and a mule kept in hazardous conditions.
Cruel mother and son Sue and John Shears kept animals in dangerous conditions and failed to meet their needs or treat their ailments.
Susan Shears – a councillor with Gowdall Parish Council – denied the charges against her but was found guilty after a trial. The seven offences related to two donkeys called Dora and Daisy and a mule named Ebony.
John Shears pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences relating to the same animals at the beginning of the trial.
The pair kept Dora, Daisy and Ebony in a field full of ragwort – a plant toxic to equines. Loose barbed wire and fallen wire netting, which posed the risk of injury or entanglement, also littered the field.
An old, disused work container which the animals had access to was completely unsuitable as a shelter – it was too small and had sharp edges and canvas straps still attached inside, which the animals could have become caught on.
Susan Shears allowed the animals to use a cramped and dangerous work container (pictured) as a shelter
The animals also did not have access to any hard standing within their living environment. All donkeys need to have access to hard standing to protect their feet from wet and muddy conditions and to prevent infections.
Their water supply was wholly inadequate and dirty, with an accumulation of algae.
All three animals had overgrown teeth and hooves and required dental and farrier treatment.
RSPCA Inspector Thomas Hutton, who led the investigation, said: “Police forced entry to the field using bolt cutters and gave permission for myself, staff from The Donkey Sanctuary and an independent vet to enter the field and examine the animals and their environment.
“An independent vet examined each animal and found Dora was suffering from laminitis, and Ebony was suffering from ulceration to the soft tissues of her mouth from inadequate dental care that would have caused her discomfort when eating. She advised the animals should be removed from the site as they were either suffering or likely to suffer if they remained. Police took the animals into possession, passing them into the RSPCA’s care.”
Daisy (left) and Dora may need to remain in The Donkey Sanctuary care for the rest of their lives
The animals were transported to a nearby holding base funded by The Donkey Sanctuary, where they received urgent dental and farrier treatment.
Following the sentencing hearing, Inspector Hutton said, “Pet owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their animals do not suffer and that their needs are met. Despite advice from The Donkey Sanctuary, sadly the Shears failed in their duty towards their animals”.
Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, added: “Owning donkeys and mules is a hugely rewarding experience and a wonderful privilege. However, they require caring and compassionate management to ensure they lead healthy and enriched lives.
“We had previously attended this location alongside the RSPCA and engaged with the owners regarding Ebony and another donkey. We discussed the changes that needed to be made to ensure the environment was safe and suitable for the animals.
“On a repeat visit, we found Ebony with Daisy and Dora living at the same location that was detrimental to their welfare, it was clear our advice had not been followed. We worked with the RSPCA to safeguard their welfare.”
Sadly, Ebony was put to sleep on veterinary advice due to her ongoing suffering from her dental issues. Dora and Daisy have responded well to treatment, but due to their age and ongoing care needs, they may need to remain in The Donkey Sanctuary care for the rest of their lives.
Sentencing: Susan Shears – 20 weeks’ imprisonment; £3,000 costs. Lifetime disqualification from keeping equines, but can appeal after 10 years.
John Shears – 12 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months; £700 costs. Disqualified from keeping equines for 10 years with the right of appeal after five years.
Deprivation order for the ownership of the donkeys.
It was reported that Shears had lost her appeal against conviction for neglecting equines following a two-day hearing.
Recorder Taryn Turner and two magistrates dismissed the appeal in its entirety, and the convictions and sentence imposed on 3 August 2021 remain. Shears was also ordered to pay costs of £2,000, payable within 12 months.
Following the appeal hearing, Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, gave an update on rescued donkeys Dora and Daisy. She said: “Both donkeys have ongoing care and veterinary needs, and over the past four years we have continually monitored their health and response to treatment.
“Earlier this year Daisy developed a degenerative and painful eye condition. After consultation with vets, it was decided the best course of action was to remove her eye. Daisy has recovered well from this operation, and we will continue to regularly assess their quality of life to ensure decisions are made with their best interests at heart.”
RSPCA Inspector Thomas Hutton said: “I’m pleased this long-running case has now finally concluded. Shears failed in her duty towards these animals and they suffered as a result. Thanks to The Donkey Sanctuary’s care and expertise, they are now enjoying their lives and it’s fantastic to see them looking well.”
CONVICTED (2021) | Suzanne ‘Suzy’ Young, born c. 1968, previously of Windsor Garth, York, but said to now be living in Birmingham – kicked a stranger’s dog in the face, racially abused and assaulted her owner in an unprovoked attack.
Suzanne Young , who has a previous 2010 conviction for being drunk and disorderly, was caught on camera spitting at and throwing punches at Charles Casmir and kicking his dog Delta – a cream Akita – in the face.
There was public disgust over the footage and Young was arrested and charged with two counts of racially aggravated assault, one count of use of threatening language or behaviour and one count of causing the unnecessary suffering of an animal.
She had originally pleaded not guilty to some of the charges and was scheduled to face trial, but changed her pleas to guilty at the last minute.
Victim Delta
The court heard that Mr Casmir was walking Delta on Hob Moor, York, at 8.10pm when he was approached by Young, who started shouting at him because his dog was not on a lead and was ‘running with cows’.
He said Young became ‘aggressive’ and threatened to shoot him and his dog. He then tried to walk away but she started using racist insults such as ‘p*i’ and ‘chng ch*ng’.
Young then started spitting at Mr Casmir.
Mr Casmir said his dog did get ‘too close to her’ and was wagging her tail when Young kicked her in the face.
‘This was horrible,’ he said.
He said Young ‘continued using racial slurs’ and started putting her fists up in a ‘boxing guard position’ and said ‘hit me, hit me’.
Young then picked up a wine bottle from her bag and started threatening Mr Casmir.
He said: ‘I believe she was going to use it as a weapon.’
Mr Casmir then moved away and warned another dog owner about her, which is when she came and punched him in the face numerous times.
Mr Casmir said that Young then approached some youths and he called police who came and arrested her.
Young’s lawyer told the court her client had unknowingly smoked the synthetic drug spice on the day, which caused her shocking outbursts.
She also said her client was ‘ashamed at her behaviour’ and had stopped drinking and was receiving support.
Sentencing: 42 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years; £500 compensation to Mr Casmir. Disqualified from having custody of a dog for five years (expires June 2026).
