Author: Jasmine Kleine

The RSPCA is searching for a very special home for a dog who was rescued from a dog fighting yard in Hertfordshire.

Kali, a three-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross, was found cowering in a garden in Hertfordshire in March last year. She was covered in bite marks, scratches and puncture wounds which vets said were consistent with dog fighting.

The RSPCA’s special operations unit launched an investigation and Kali was taken in by the charity for treatment and TLC. Over a year later, she’s finally ready to find a new home.

“Poor Kali had an awful start to life,” Tiffany Saunders, who has been caring for Kali, said. “She was in such a state when she first arrived here and had clearly been used in a fighting ring either to face off against other fighting dogs or for training.

“Now, she’s a completely different dog – she’s happy and healthy and incredibly loving. Her injuries are all healed but her scars will always be a reminder of how humans have treated her in the past and any new owners will need to bear in mind where she has come from.”

Staff at RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre, in Cambridgeshire, have been looking after Kali for the last year while her case went through court. Everyone has fallen in love with her gentle nature and loving temperament, even after everything she has suffered.

“Kali has always remained in high spirits and, even though humans have let her down so badly, she still loves everyone she meets. She loves nothing more than getting on your lap and getting some well earned cuddles,” Tiffany added.

See Kali’s Story in Pictures (Contains Upsetting Photos)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUueVOqBXb4

“Kali is very playful and loves her toys. Her favourite thing to do is carry a football around in her mouth. She is a big fan of being outdoors so is looking for an active family who like going for lots of long walks in the countryside.

“This sweet girl has suffered such cruelty at the hands of people so she really deserves to find new owners who will show her the love and security she craves.”

She will benefit from training classes and, as it’s thought that she’s always lived outside, will need to learn how to live in a home. She could live with older children who are used to dogs but would prefer to be the only pet.

Staff would like her to go to a home where someone is around most of the day as it’ll take some time for her to learn that it’s okay to be left alone. She is incredibly energetic and playful, loves playing with toys and is always on the go so would suit an active home.

For more information about Kali check out her blockfen-inbox.

Jonathan Eugene Meynell (D.O.B 26.07.90) of Cedar Avenue, Haslingden, Rossendale appeared before Burnley Magistrates’ Court on Friday (23 February).

At an earlier hearing he pleaded guilty to, on 28 August 2017, kicking a black and tan Rottweiler dog called ‘Coco’ multiple times and shouting and swearing at the animal in an intimidating manner causing her to suffer physically and mentally.

He was sentenced to six weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and disqualified from keeping any animals for life. He was also ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge.

RSPCA inspector Kat Newman said: “The footage shows Meynell walking down the street with Coco who is off the lead and stopping and sniffing as she goes.

“It’s clear that he is in a temper and is shouting and swearing.

“He can be heard to say ‘do you want a kicking today or what? Is that what you’re after?’ before approaching her and kicking her nine times to the head and body.

“She cries out every time he kicks her. It’s really horrible to watch.”

Coco was taken into possession by police on veterinary advice after the RSPCA was contacted and provided with the footage.

She was signed over at the first court hearing and is now in the care of an RSPCA animal centre where she has been renamed ‘Lola’ and will be up for rehoming soon.

“There can never be any excuse for behaving this way towards an animal,” said inspector Newman.

A magistrate and her daughter from Leigh have been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to two West Highland white terriers.

Gail Bradshaw (D.O.B 27.08.53) – a magistrate at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court for the past 30 years who has deliberated on RSPCA cases – and Nicola Bradshaw (D.O.B 07.09.88), both of Minehead Avenue, appeared before Preston Magistrates’ Court for a two-day trial (Friday 6-Monday 9 April).

They were found guilty of (1.) on a day or dates between 1 April 2015 and 29 September 2017, causing unnecessary suffering to a West Highland white terrier called ‘Poppy’ (pictured above) and (2.) on a day or dates between 29 November 2016 and 29 September 2017, causing unnecessary suffering to a West Highland white terrier called ‘Holly’ (pictured below), by failing to provide proper and necessary care and attention for their chronic and severe skin conditions.

RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald said: “The severity of the skin conditions and fur loss suffered by these dogs was the worst I’ve seen in my 15-year career.

“They were in an absolutely shocking state.

“When I first saw Poppy she was wearing a filthy baby jumper. Gail Bradshaw said she put it on her to keep her warm and to stop her scratching herself raw. When the vet tried to remove the jumper it had stuck to Poppy’s weeping skin around her armpits, chest and front legs.”

The court heard that visits to the vets with Poppy in 2014 and 2015 established the cause of her fur loss and skin infection but the Bradshaws were inconsistent in following the treatment plans. When the advice was followed improvements were seen but the lack of consistency in following the treatment properly would cause Poppy to deteriorate again. A new treatment plan was put in place in March 2015 by the vet with the advice to return in 7-10 days but Poppy was never taken back.

Inspector McDonald said: “Gail Bradshaw said she didn’t think the vet treatment was working so decided to self treat the condition after seeking advice from the internet and friends. However over the following two years Poppy’s condition deteriorated to the state she was found in when I attended.

“When Holly started to get similar symptoms in early 2017 she was never taken to the vet. This is despite both dogs having ‘ultimate’ Petplan insurance which could have covered the treatment.”

Upon conviction magistrates said that Gail Bradshaw’s recollection of the previous vet visits were vague and that she offered no credible explanation for not following the treatment plans or seeking further vet treatment. Once Poppy and Holly came into RSPCA care their conditions improved rapidly, where they remain pending the outcome of the case. In respect of Nicola Bradshaw, who declined to give evidence or be cross examined, they said that she had declined to offer any evidence or explanation.

The case was adjourned until 2pm on Tuesday 8 May at Preston Magistrates’ Court for a pre-sentencing report.

A London vet has been convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by falsifying paperwork for thousands of puppies who were being sold by a puppy farming gang across the capital and South East.

Daniel Doherty (DoB: 28/07/68) of Wood Lane, Iver Heath, operated two My Vets surgeries in Uxbridge, west London, where he conspired with Simon O’Donnell, Thomas O’Donnell, Thomas Stokes, Edward Stokes and others to commit fraud.

The vet faced a four-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court for conspiring with a gang of puppy dealers to commit fraud. The charge said that Doherty, between 1 December 2013 and 14 February 2017 conspired to commit fraud by making false representations to members of the public for the purpose of selling puppies. The representations were intended to disguise the fact that the puppies were of unknown origin (imported or puppy farmed animals), by providing local health check and vaccination cards and false information that the puppy was the offspring of a family pet, home-bred, and socialised within a local residential family environment.

Doherty pleaded not guilty and jurors heard evidence from Metropolitan Police officers, RSPCA investigators and members of the public who had purchased puppies from the gang. The jury’s guilty verdict was unanimous.

RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall, who led the investigation into Doherty’s involvement with the gang – nicknamed Operation Rivet – said: “This was a vet who should have known better and should have had the animals’ best interests at heart.

“But he was supplementing his income with fraudulent cash from the puppy trading gang who were making millions from selling sick and dying puppies to unsuspected members of the public.

“Doherty was knowingly signing off vaccination cards and veterinary paperwork for thousands of puppies in the gang members’ real names as well as approving the paperwork that was written out in their fake aliases.

“He was complicit and, if anything, aided their fraud because any buyers who purchased puppies from the gang may well have been comforted and reassured by the fact that the dog they were buying had paperwork to say it had already been to a vet for vaccinations and health checks. The problem is that the puppies had not been adequately checked so some were already harbouring illnesses by the time they were sold.”

Vaccination cards said the puppies had been vaccinated against deadly viruses and diseases like parvovirus, which many of the puppies owned by witnesses in the trial had actually contracted, some succumbing to the highly contagious viral disease.

Jurors also heard evidence that a past employee at MyVet 24/7 had raised concerns about Doherty and his practices.

Separately, one complaint, lodged with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons by a vet in Hertfordshire, raised concerns over the lack of information Doherty was including in the vaccination cards he was issuing .

The RSPCA gathered evidence that 4,689 puppies were taken to MyVet 24/7 by the gang between 23 March 2011 and 10 May 2017 for their first vaccinations.

Inspector Withnall added: “Doherty offered the gang discounted vaccinations at just £16 per vaccine and flea/worming treatment so that works out at more than £75,000 in his pocket.”

One family who were caught up in the scam were the Reeds from West Sussex. They spotted cavapoo Max being advertised online in November 2015 and, after visiting to meet him, paid £470 in cash and took him home to their farm.

Rebecca Reed said: “The breeder couldn’t find the vaccination paperwork so said he’d send it on.

“We were so excited to have him home but, just 17 hours after he arrived, it all went wrong.

“Max was a lot quieter than he first seemed. He was so tiny. He wasn’t interested in eating but was constantly drinking.”

When he collapsed and didn’t have the energy to lift his head the family rushed him to the vet. After weeks of veterinary care and lots of tests he was diagnosed with megaesophagus (a hereditary condition in which the oesophagus doesn’t function properly, so they can’t get food into their stomachs easily).

Emergency treatment and surgery cost the family £5,600 and they rearranged their routines and work shifts around Max’s care. Thankfully, the plucky little pup pulled through and now – aged three – is doing well.

“He has gone from strength to strength,” Rebecca added. “The vets called him a ‘miracle’ and couldn’t believe he’d pulled through. We’re just so pleased he’s now a happy, healthy dog and can live a normal life.”

Doherty will appear back at Isleworth Crown Court next month (May) for sentencing.

The other members of the puppy farming gang he colluded with are also due back in court for sentencing next month

Over 1,000 racing greyhounds die or are killed each year, according to new figures by the greyhound racing industry.

The figures also reveal that the racing dogs suffer almost 5,000 injuries a year – suggesting that either one in every three racing dogs is injured, or dogs are suffering multiple injuries.

Chris Luffingham, Director of Campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said:

“Dog lovers around the country will be asking if one dead dog is too much to pay for a sport which is solely designed to give people something to bet on. Can this industry possibly justify 1,000 fatalities – a quarter of which actually took place at the track side? No they cannot.

“The language used by the greyhound racing industry shows they believe that over 1,000 dead dogs every year is an acceptable number. They claim they are showing ‘care and attention’ to greyhounds, so it is deeply concerning to consider what they would consider negligent.”

The figures show 1,003 fatalities a year:

· 257 euthanised at track side on ‘humane grounds’

· 348 for which treatment was deemed too expensive, there was poor prognosis or no home was found.

· 267 were killed due to being ‘unsuitable for homing’

· 55 died from ‘sudden death’

Chris Luffingham added:

“These figures hide some disturbing truths. What caused the sudden deaths? Were those euthanised at trackside really unable to be saved? For those deemed too ‘expensive’ to save, how much was too expensive? We believe these figures disguise a life of suffering and a deplorable end for many of these dogs who are simply born to be raced. It’s time greyhound racing was consigned to the ranks of cruel sports which are no longer acceptable.”

One example is the case of Reverse Backways last year who was put down at the track. Ultimately it was found that this was because he was “not a good enough prospect as a racer” and the vet involved said that “he could not be sure he had been given any reason why the greyhound should be put to sleep” and that “owners often gave no reason and he would not always ask.” (source)

Trudy Baker of greyhound campaigner’s Greyt Exploitations suggested that horrific as it is, the figures may be an underestimation of the problem.

“The injury and retirement data is of no value unless it can be independently verified by the public. The industry has a moral duty to be accountable and transparent regarding each and every dog’s fate – by name – once they’re deemed a financial liability. Greyhounds are sentient creatures — not disposable gambling chips.”

Injuries

The figures also show injury statistics; however these are presented in percentage form per ‘race performance’. In real terms, there were around 5,000 injuries last year, out of 14,000 dogs in the industry.

Chris Luffingham said:

“These figures, which the industry is apparently proud of, show that either one in every three dogs is injured, or dogs are suffering multiple injuries. These injuries are not an unavoidable risk – they are an inevitable consequence of an industry based on dogs’ suffering.”

At a trial in November he was found guilty in his absence of failing to meet the needs of a Shih Tzu dog called ‘Charlie’ by failing to meet his need to be euthanised in an appropriate and humane manner.

Three-year-old Charlie’s burned body was found in woods behind Mead Walk in Walker on Wednesday 15 March last year and the RSPCA and Northumbria Police put out an appeal for information.

RSPCA Inspector Cathy Maddison said: “Poor Charlie was discovered when firefighters were called to extinguish a fire in the woods.

“He was inside a bin bag which had been set alight, presumably by a blow torch which was also found at the scene.

“Charlie was found to be microchipped, which after some investigation, led us to Rourke.”

Post mortem results found that Charlie died from a severe skull fracture as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, before being set alight. It couldn’t be determined whether he was struck once with immense force or several times in the same location.

Rourke gave no comment when interviewed and pleaded not guilty at the first hearing. When he didn’t show up to court for the trial the case was heard without him and he was convicted.

In mitigation given before yesterday’s sentencing, the court heard that Rourke accepted that he hit Charlie once with a hammer with the intention of killing him without causing unnecessary suffering. The court heard that be had Charlie since he was a pup but could no longer look after him. He had tried rehoming him with family but it hadn’t worked out, and he didn’t know what to do with him. He had not attended the trial as he was working away.

Rourke was disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years and cannot appeal for five years. He was also given a 12-month community order including 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £750 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

“Everyone involved in this case has found it upsetting to work on. I’d like to thank them all. We’ve been in the dark all the way through the investigation about what actually happened to Charlie and why as Rourke refused to give us any information,” said Inspector Maddison. “Whatever possesses someone to think this is an appropriate way to end a dog’s life is going to remain a mystery to me.”

Two women have been handed suspended sentences for keeping dogs and puppies in dire conditions at a puppy farm in Essex.

Teresa Wade (DoB: 4/5/59) of Ship Lane, Aveley, in Essex, and Victoria Montgomery (DoB: 5/12/61) of Melford Avenue, Barking, in London, both pleaded guilty at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (20 February) part-way through a trial for a string of animal welfare offences.

The duo admitted keeping dogs and puppies in dirty, unsuitable conditions following an investigation into puppy farming by the RSPCA.

Wade pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences and was disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years and was given a five-month prison term, suspended for 11 months. She was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Montgomery admitted one animal welfare offence and was given a three-month jail term, suspended for 11 months, and was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

The RSPCA launched a large-scale investigation – called Operation Excel – in the breeding and selling of puppies in Essex in 2014 after receiving a string of calls from members of the public who had bought puppies that had become extremely sick or, in some cases, even died.

When the RSPCA and police executed a warrant at a site in Essex – and two other residential addresses, one in Essex and one in London – officers found 76 dogs and puppies, including poodles, cocker spaniels and some of the popular designer crossbreed types such as cavachons, cockerpoos and golden doodles.

The dogs were seized and placed into the RSPCA’s care and a number of pregnant bitches went on to have 27 puppies in the charity’s centres. Of the 103 dogs in total, four sadly died, but courts ordered for the remaining 99 dogs to be rehomed ahead of the court hearing.

RSPCA inspector Carroll Lamport, who led the investigation, said: “After a number of calls from people who had bought puppies that had fallen ill we became suspicious of a gang who appeared to be selling a large number of puppies.

“The dogs were being bred on an industrial scale at a site in Aveley and were kept in disgusting conditions in makeshift kennels and pens in outbuildings.

“When it was time to sell the puppies – for hundreds of pounds each – they would be moved to two houses being used as front addresses to sell the puppies from. The staged houses to gave the impression that the dogs were much-loved family pets. The reality was far from that.

“These dogs were kept in dark, damp pens covered in filth. They were in terrible conditions, riddled with worms and fleas, with matted, dirty coats. Many of them were extremely poorly with campylobacter and giardia – both serious and potentially deadly parasitic illnesses.”

RSPCA investigations determined that while many of the dogs were being bred on-site, a number of puppies were also being imported from abroad.

“These dogs were being kept in horrendous conditions, it must have been hell for them,” inspector Lamport added.

“Sadly, we lost a few of the pups but, thanks to the wonderful dedication of our animal centre staff and fosterers, the rest have all flourished and are now happy, healthy dogs in loving homes.

“Many of them still carry the scars – both mental and physical – from this part of their life, though. Some have ongoing health problems caused by the conditions they were kept in while others have developed behavioural issues because they were not properly socialised as pups.”

“It’s clear that this gang didn’t have a care in the world for the welfare of these dogs. All they saw when they looked into their dark, sad eyes was a way to make thousands and thousands of pounds.”

One of those puppies rescued from this awful life was Khaleesi, now three. Her heavily pregnant mother, Mia, was rescued from the puppy farm before giving birth to seven pups.

Khaleesi, or Kizzy as she’s known at home, now lives with Jemma and Rob Notley in Horsham, West Sussex.

“She was really timid as a puppy,” Jemma said. “She wouldn’t go outside but would sit on the doorstep and tremble. She was frightened of everything: leaves, the wind, even her own shadow.

“In her first year she was allergic to everything. She was on antibiotics and steroids a lot.

“She is still very nervous in crowded places and is frightened of loud noises. She also still struggles with allergies, we have to be really careful with what she eats and in summer it gets much worse.

“But generally she’s a very happy, healthy dog – and she’s spoiled rotten.

“When I think about what life had in store for her before her mother was rescued by the RSPCA it brings tears to my eyes. Thinking of her hiding in the corner of a cold, cramped pen is heartbreaking.”