Grimsby men jailed for sickening campaign of wildlife crime

01.03.2013

(Warning article contains graphic images)

Three men have been jailed after capturing themselves on camera committing sustained and horrific levels of animal cruelty in a case our investigating officer described as “the most disturbing” he has handled in 23 years.

The three defendants all from Grimsby, admitted setting their dogs on a trapped fox in a sickening cage fight on the town’s golf course, where they had posed as pest controllers.
 

The trio also filmed themselves and took photos as they laughed and joked, while their dogs tore wild animals to pieces.

During one clip, an unknown man – who’s identity we are seeking – holds up an injured fox to the camera, before laughing as he throws the stricken animal back to a waiting dog.

RSPCA Inspector Cliff Harrison, from our Special Operations Unit, said warrants carried out at the homes of the three men last August revealed one of the biggest hauls of graphic animal cruelty imagery ever.
 

A collection of more than 600 catalogued folders on seized computers contained thousands of photos that showed a raft of animal cruelty, including one defendant stealing wild Sparrow Hawk chicks from their nest, while others show the men digging into fox dens and setting their terriers onto terrified foxes.

All three were given 16 week jail sentences today after they admitted a total of 30 charges – which also included keeping premises for use for dog fighting – between them. Two defendants were banned from keeping dogs and birds for life, while the third defendant was given a lifetime ban on keeping dogs.

Inspector Harrison said:

This is the most disturbing case I have investigated in my 23 years with the RSPCA. I have spent the last 14 years with our Special Operations Unit and can say that we have never before discovered such a comprehensive collection of images showing the very worst acts on cruelty imposed on wild mammals and to the dogs continually used to fight them.

They revelled in the cruelty they inflicted and kept thousands of images for repeat gratification. They had no regard for the welfare of the dogs they used as their tools of cruelty.

District judge Daniel Curtis expressed his horror at the shocking levels of “organised, methodical cruelty against defenceless disadvantaged animals.”

We launched our investigation, with the assistance of the League Against Cruel Sports and Humberside Police, after obtaining intelligence on the three men and their illegal activities. Warrants were carried out at their homes on 8 August last year.

The first defendant, admitted 13 charges, including causing animal fights between his dogs and foxes and a badger and causing unnecessary suffering to the animals, in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He also admitted possession of dead wild birds and a trap that could be used to catch wild birds, contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
 

The second defendant, 33, who is currently in custody for unrelated matters, admitted 12 charges including causing animal fights between dogs on foxes and badgers and causing unnecessary suffering to foxes and dogs, both contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

He also admitted taking Sparrow Hawks from the wild, in breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and keeping premises for use for an animal fight contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The third defendant, 27, who is also currently in prison for unrelated matters, pleaded guilty to five charges. These included causing an animal fight between a dog and a fox, causing a fight between a dog and a badger and causing unnecessary suffering to foxes.

Inspector Harrison added:

The RSPCA is investigating an increasing amount of cruelty to wildlife through the use of dogs to attack and kill wild mammals. This increase is of great concern and we would urge the public to contact us if they know anything about such cruel criminality.

Anyone who wishes to report animal cruelty can do so by calling 0300 1234 999. 

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