LOCAL CRUELTY CASES
Some statistics (courtesy of Derby Evening Telegraph):
In 2000, there were 2975 cruelty complaints in Derbyshire, compared to 4090 in Staffordshire and 3538 in Nottinghamshire.
Of these, 15 were brought to court in Derbyshire, compared to 43 in Staffordshire and 16 in Nottinghamshire.
There were 19 convictions in Derbyshire, compared to 66 in Staffordshire and 36 in Nottinghamshire.
This is a woefully low number of convictions compared to complaints. These figures imply either the RSPCA is overstretched and underfunded, or the police do not take animal cruelty seriously, or both.
Another question which arises from these figures: Is Derbyshire a more caring county with less complaints, or is it there are fewer caring people to make the complaints in the first place?!!
5/12/01 3 Charged in Bird Smuggling Plot
Student Peora Jungthirapanica (22) of Ashbourne Road, Derby and co-accused Wayne Standley (36) of Watford have admitted illegally importing birds of prey from Thailand. The two men were arrested at Heathrow Airport on 25/7/00 after returning from Thailand. The two men were carrying suitcases of rare birds-of-prey stuffed in plastic tubes, some of which were found dead. A third man, Raymond Humphrey (51) of Kings Lynn, who met them at the airport denies the charges.
1/12/01 10 Year Horse Ban
Bryn Williams of Woodside Avenue, Ripley has been banned from keeping horses for 10 years after four animals were found in poor condition. He was ordered to do 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay £2000 for the nursing and care of the horses by the RSPCA and £450 of court costs.
The horses had not been properly wormed and were left in a muddy field with no grass or supplementary food. The RSPCA had found the horses with their ribs clearly visible. Bryn Williams claimed that someone had stolen the feed. (What - continuously for over a week?!)
2/11/01 Pony Neglected
Kaye Thompson of Nottingham Road, Spondon, pleaded guilty yesterday in Derby Magistrates Court, to causing unnecessary suffering to a Shetland pony. She will be sentenced on December 20th.
6/9/01 Five year ban for Dog Owner
Ilkeston Magistrates today banned unemployed Samantha Clay (25) of Norman Street, Cotmanhay, from keeping animals for 5 years, charged her with £250 court costs, and ordered her to do 100 hours community work. RSPCA inspectors found her terrier, Scrappy Doo, whining and with its ribs sticking out, trapped in a room covered with excrement. Vet Ian Gibbs examined the dog and found its muscles had wasted away and it was dehydrated. The dog has now recovered and doing well. Magistrate Christine Thompson said "We feel this matter is very serious". Clay's defence told the court: "She still contends it was her partner who cared for the animal."
2/7/01 Suffering Conviction
Jean Louise Curtis of Varley Street, Allenton was banned from keeping a dog for life and ordered to pay £175 costs for causing unnecessary suffering to a dog between 1/11/01 and 14/11/01.
23/6/01 Ten Year Ban for Neglect
Ilkeston Magistrates banned Owen, Ronald and Melvin Maund of Hart Avenue, Sandiacre from keeping pets for 10 years and ordered each to pay £50 costs after finding them guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to their dog, Shane. Shane was found by a RSPCA inspector 'desperately thin, with its backbone protruding'. The dog weighed in at 14kg, half its recommended weight.
23/6/01 Allegations of Sheep Cruelty
Paul Alton, of no fixed abode, is charged with two offences under the Protection of Animals Act and the Animal Health Act. Ilkeston Court has adjourned the case until July 19th while the RSPCA traces the whereabouts of Mr Alton.
5/1/01 Animal Ban on Dog's Owners
Dean and Mandy Leedham of Arthur Street, Castle Gresley were given a 2 year conditional discharge, a 2 year ban on keeping animals and ordered to pay £200 costs for causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. Their labrador was found while they were on holiday, seriously underweight. It weighed 14kg compared to the recommended for this breed of 20kg.
25/11/00(ish) Man gets lifelong pet ban
Gary Smith (as above) has been banned from keeping pets for life after he admitted failing to take his cat to the vet when it suffered a serious head injury. On examination by a vet, the cat (named Simo) was found to have an open wound 5cm long and 4cm wide which had probably been there for 7 days. Mr Smith was ordered to pay £1500 costs.
16/10/00 Yet more vermin
Paul Leonard Austin and Lucille Austin of Macauley Street, Sinfin were banned from keeping any animals for 5 years and ordered to pay a total of £500 costs for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal between May 3 and 17. A RSPCA inspector found two dogs so seriously emaciated that he could not identify the breed. Identified later, one great dane has since, sadly died, the other has been rehomed.
19/9/00 Cat Cruelty Case
The RSPCA is prosecuting yet another Burton resident; Ashley Nicholson is accused of cruelty to a cat.
9/8/00 Alleged Cruelty
The RSPCA is prosecuting Gary Smith of Rose Cottage Gardens, Burton for alleged cruelty to a cat. A trial date is due to be set at the hearing.
13/7/00 Horse Cruelty Appeal Withdrawn
Margaret Jones of 38 South Avenue, Chellaston, was found guilty in February of seven charges of causing unnecessary suffering to her horses. The convictions were centred on the condition of seven horses found at Saltersford Farm, Egginton. One of the horses had bleeding, tumour-like growths and the others were in an emaciated state. The horses have fully recovered and been rehomed.
Ms Jones appealed against the original fine of £7700 and the RSPCA's original court costs of £11742. By withdaring her appeal at the last minute she was ordered to pay a further £8000 to the RSPCA's costs within 6 months.
13/7/00 Couple fined for letting pet terriers suffer
Kevin Davies and Sally Lewis of Lincoln Way, Midway were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £750 after being convicted of causing two English bull terriers to suffer. Both dogs weighed about half the recommended weight for this breed and were suffering from mange. Both dogs have fully recovered and been found a new home.
Mr Davies is obviously lacking somewhat in the IQ department as moments after leaving the magistrates, he assaulted a Derby Evening Telegraph photographer. Not surprisingly, a case which would normally only justify half a column, was splashed over half a page with photographs et al!