CONVICTED (2023) | Sonny-Joe Barney, born 18 March 2003, of 11 Summer Fields, Verwood BH31 6LG – goaded his dogs into attacking and killing a chicken.
Barney, a traveller, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a chicken by releasing dogs on it.
Dorset Police’s rural crime team found evidence of a dog being set on a chicken during an investigation into hare coursing. The chicken was killed in the incident, which took place in a field on 7 July 2022.
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 20 days of rehabilitation activity. 12-month disqualification order, which states that he must not transport or arrange transport, own, keep or take part in keeping dogs or chickens.
Update | July 2023
Barney was given a criminal behaviour order, banning him from owning wild animals or catapults, as well as to keep off private farmland.
He appeared at Poole Magistrates Court again on Friday 14 July, 2023, to be handed the criminal behaviour order. That states that for a five-year period, he must not:
- Be in possession of a wild animal, wild bird or part of a wild animal or bird living or dead
- Be knowingly in possession of a catapult or shot such as ball bearings or a hunting lamp including in a vehicle with a catapult or such shot in a place to which the public have access or private land as a trespasser
- Allow a dog under his control off a lead except on private land with the landowners written permission which must be presented to a police officer on request
- Be on private farmland, agricultural land or forestry land without written permission of the appropriate authority or landowner, this permission must be presented to a police officer on request
If Barney breaches any of the terms of the order, he can be arrested and taken back to court.
Police Constable Lauren Middleton, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: “Our investigation revealed evidence that Barney was believed to be involved in hare coursing and the offence for which he has been convicted shows that he has little regard for the welfare of animals.
“We have worked hard to compile evidence and secure this order from the court, which we hope will assist in stopping the defendant from reoffending in the future. We would like to send a special thank you to Dorset Council’s Community Safety Team for helping us secure this order.
“We hope this demonstrates to our rural communities that we will take decisive action against those who commit offences of this nature, and we would urge them to work with us by reporting any suspected breaches of the order to police so we can take further steps if necessary.”