Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector Vikki Dawe
Defendant:
Male 26, unemployed
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s8;
Hunting Act 2004 s1
Pleas:
Guilty
Total convictions:
Two
Sentence:
Disqualified from keeping dogs for
eight years; 30 days' imprisonment
suspended for one year; 180 hours'
unpaid work; £120 fine; £500 costs.
Prosecuted by:
Tudur Owen Roberts
Glynne & Co Solicitors
After warrants were executed RSPCA
inspectors found nine dogs at his home,
including a tan coloured bull lurcher-type dog,
called Celt.
Horrific scarring
Celt was found to have fresh scarring, which
the man said had been caused by a fox that he
had caught three days previously. Celt also had
older scarring, from wounds he had received
during fights with foxes. Celt's owner said the
dog had caught about six foxes in the year he
had owned him.
A second dog, a black female lurcher called
Meg, also had multiple scars over her face
and muzzle, including a scar on the underside
of her jaw. The man said a friend - who was
not a vet - had stapled a head wound Meg
had sustained. The location and nature of the
scarring patterns over her face and muzzle
were consistent with injuries sustained whilst
confronting either foxes or badgers.
Suspicious kit
A veterinary kit containing syringes, needles,
penicillin and other medicines was found,
some of which were 'prescription only'
medication. This raised questions about how
they came to be in the defendant's possession.
He said he never took his animals to a vet,
stating he could get everything he needed
from his friends. This suggested that he treated
his dogs himself rather than risking his illegal
activities being discovered by a vet.
Shocking footage
Video footage was uncovered that showed
the man's five-year-old son holding up a dead
rabbit for two dogs to 'rag', while an adult
behind the camera is heard encouraging them.
Another clip showed the child holding a fox
cub, retained by a collar, while he encouraged
his dogs to be aggressive towards it. The man
claimed he had been hand rearing the cub.
Not acceptable
RSPCA Inspector Vikki Dawe said: "This
outcome and sentence show that by working
closely with the police, we are able to catch
those individuals who believe that animal
cruelty is an acceptable part of society. The
RSPCA believe it is not, and this outcome
shows that neither does the law. We may be
a charity that relies on the generosity of the
public, but we remain as committed as ever in
our efforts to catch those who inflict suffering
on animals."
PC Eryl Lloyd, from North Wales Police Rural
Crime Team, said: "We are pleased that our
work with the RSPCA on this investigation has
resulted in a successful outcome at court. This
kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in our
community and we will not hesitate to work
alongside the RSPCA's officers again if needed."
An investigation into wildlife crime by the RSPCA Special Operations Unit,
in partnership with North Wales Police, revealed a man's involvement
with both hunting wild mammals with dogs and animal fighting.
Celt had multiple scars over his face;
some fresh, some older.❞❝
By working in partnership with the police, we are able to
catch those individuals who believe that animal cruelty is
an acceptable part of society.
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