UK Animal Cruelty Files

17/08/2025

CONVICTED | Jessica Catherine Louise Edwards, 28, from Neath, Souith Wales SA11 – abandoned a springer spaniel and left him to die.

The emaciated body of Jessica Edwards’ abandoned dog, Areo, was found by South Wales Police and the RSPCA on 5 December 2024.

In a witness statement provided to the court, RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector (DCI) Gemma Cooper said police were given permission to enter the property by Edwards.

She said as the door was opened there was a foul smell “emanating” from the property and she could see a dead dog laying underneath a hi-vis jacket in the kitchen.

As the jacket was lifted off she found a liver and white, springer spaniel in an “extremely emaciated body condition”.

DCI Cooper added: “All of his bones were visible. I do not believe I have ever seen such a skinny dog in nearly 15 years as an RSPCA Inspector.”

The body was seized by police so that the RSPCA could continue the investigation. The following day the body was examined by a vet.

In a witness statement the vet said that the body “showed obvious severe muscle mass loss with a body condition score of one out of nine”.

He added: “There was almost no muscle mass left on this body – being one of the worst body conditions I have seen. There were a large number of flies with the body and maggots in various body openings particularly on the underneath.

“To become emaciated to this level, assuming he was at normal weight initially, would take about three months on water only with no food at all, suffering from severe hunger during that whole period.”

Following an RSPCA prosecution Jessica Edwards was found guilty of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

Following sentencing, DCI Cooper said: “This is a heartbreaking case. Poor Areo was left all alone and would have experienced such suffering and hunger.

“It is never acceptable to abandon any animal – and our hearts go out to Areo.”

Sentencing | 2 x 26-week custodial sentences to run concurrently; £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for life.

https://ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org/neath-neath-port-talbot-jessica-edwards

https://nation.cymru/news/woman-imprisoned-after-springer-spaniel-abandoned-in-neath-property-found-dead/

17/08/2025

CONVICTED | Audra Town aka Audra Town Goodall from Newtownabbey, County Antrim BT36 – abandoned two adult dogs, a litter of puppies and a gecko.

Town admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure their needs were met. The offences dated from around 11 October 2023 when neighbours alerted local authority animal welfare officers. Shockingly the animals were only removed almost a month later, on 6 November 2023.

A prosecuting lawyer said an animal welfare officer heard dogs inside the property when she called at Town's house, only to receive no answer.

A warrant to enter the home was finally obtained after several unsuccessful visits and complaints from neighbours about continual barking,

It was then discovered the dogs and puppies were living in rooms “covered in faeces and rubbish,” including some that were “potentially dangerous”.

The animals were so desperate for food they had chewed on tin cans.

The gecko also had no access to food or water.

A defence lawyer told the court Town had been getting help with her “mental health” and the property had been renovated.

The judge said while her offences merited a jail sentence, he was suspending it because of the matters raised in mitigation.

Sentencing | six-month custodial sentence, suspended for a year; £124 in costs. Banned from having animals for 10 years (expires August 2035).

https://ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org/newtownabbey-county-antrim-audra-town/

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid024bfCtKJ371SwZTqsC3Y7N4qFhsZGtjd7YVuzQeQbVwtGWoq6mp7Dg8CPgV53UDpSl&id=61575124888711

17/08/2025

CONVICTED | Daniel Murphy, 43, from Prestwick, South Ayrshire - subjected a young Staffy to a series of prolonged vicious attacks.

Serial animal abuser Murphy, who was given a five-year ban in 2018 for kicking a puppy in the street resulting in injury, admitted causing the 11-month-old dog called Buster unnecessary suffering.

He was prosecuted after members of the public raised multiple reports of concern with the Scottish SPCA, with one caller reporting they heard a dog yelping and screaming in distress.

One attack, which took place on 1 November 2024,, was caught on video. During a horrific THREE-HOUR assault, Murphy was captured:

- beating Buster’s face and head with the flat of a household iron;
- throwing filled 2-litre bottles at Buster and pouring unidentified liquid over his face and body several times;
- dragging, lifting, and throwing Buster by his legs and tail;
- subjecting him to sustained verbal abuse and terror.

In total, Buster was struck 71 times with extreme force. Throughout the attack he displayed visible fear and distress as well as submission and resignation, showing that he had endured previous abuse.

The court heard Murphy effectively tortured the terrified pup by showing love one second then suddenly exploding in violence.

It was heard that Murphy had taken Buster to a vet where he claimed that his multiple injuries had been caused accidentally.

The vet found Buster to be subdued with severe swelling on his head and face and his right eye was closed over. It was later concluded that this had likely been caused by trauma to the head. The vet contacted the SSPCA with her concerns.

The dog was finally found by officers in the care of a friend of Murphy and taken to the Lanarkshire SSPCA rehoming centre for further treatment.

The court heard the SSPCA was later sent videos taken inside Murphy’s home by an anonymous source.

Defence solicitor John Gallagher told the court his client had “suffered a deterioration in his mental health” and had been using alcohol and illicit substances.

Jailing Murphy for nine months Sheriff Michael Meehan told him: “This was a sustained and senseless episode of cruelty on an animal that went on for hours.

“You have a considerable record of inflicting harm on humans – you have a previous conviction causing suffering to an animal and disqualified for five years.

“To approach this case properly I had to view that footage, it is distressing a relentless attack on an animal that was helpless. What is shown was merciless behaviour. I take the view the only appropriate disposal is a sentence of custody.

“Given the deeply disturbing campaign of cruelty you will be disqualified for a period of life.

“Such is the degree of cruelty you cannot have contact with any animal in any way. It would not be okay you to walk or care for someone’s dog even for five minutes.”

Scottish SPCA inspector Caitlin Rea, who was involved in the investigation, said: “This case is truly horrific. It is without question one of the worst I have encountered with the Society due to the sustained and brutal nature of the abuse.

“Buster endured hours of torment at the hands of someone who should have cared for him. The physical injuries were severe, including head trauma, swelling, and a historical leg fracture, but the emotional trauma was just as profound.

“Thanks to the bravery of the individuals who reported this, and the evidence captured, we were able to ensure Buster’s suffering ended and justice was sought.”

After receiving emergency veterinary care, Buster was taken into the care of the Scottish SPCA. He has since been adopted and is now thriving.

Inspector Rea added: “Buster is now living a wonderful life hillwalking and travelling the country in a camper van. He finally has the peaceful and loving life he deserves.”

Sentencing | nine-month custodial. Lifetime ban but can appeal after 10 years.

https://ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org/prestwick-south-ayrshire-daniel-murphy/

https://www.scottishspca.org/news/dog-endures-three-hours-of-sustained-abuse-at-hands-of-owner

15/08/2025

CONVICTED | Michael Sweetman, 28, from Ovingdean, Brighton BN2 - abused two kittens and killed one of them.

Sweetman pleaded guilty to inflicting physical violence on two kittens.

The deceased kitten, a tabby known as Prince, had been rehomed to Sweetman a month before he was brutally killed. His previous owners saw Sweetman bury the kitten and exhumed the body, which had been placed inside a shoebox. They contacted police who alerted the RSPCA.

In a statement, attending RSPCA inspector Charlotte Beaumann said: “Inside [the shoebox] was a deceased tabby male kitten wrapped in a towel. I could immediately see that there was a large haematoma on the kitten’s left ear and some bruising, there also appeared to be some bruising on the other ear too”.

Prince's remains and a second badly injured cat were seized by police and placed into the RSPCA's care.

Veterinary x-rays revealed Prince had received a number of significant, unexplained injuries. A post-mortem revealed he had a fractured pelvis and a possible rib fracture. There was an additional fracture to his tail.

Sweetman claimed that Prince had fallen into the toilet which contributed to his eventual death, but his injuries were not consistent with this version of events.

A postmortem on Prince’s body showed there was no underlying disease that could have rendered his bones more fragile and prone to fracture.

The veterinary report read: “Prince died as a consequence of having sustained severe blunt force trauma injuries while in the home environment which included a depressed skull fracture. From the evidence provided such an injury cannot be reasonably explained other than by the mechanism of physical abuse’.

“The nature and characteristics of the injuries sustained by Prince are very highly suggestive of Prince having been forcefully held by the skin at the scruff and the neck and thrown to collide with a blunt object resulting in the fractured bones along the left side of the kitten’s body.

"In such circumstances, Prince would have experienced pain as a consequence of the subcutaneous tissues being torn and would have suffered fear and distress for a period of several seconds prior to sustaining the severe head injury”.

The second kitten was found to have sustained a fractured tail vertebra similar in nature to that was sustained by Prince. She recovered in RSPCA foster care and has subsequently been rehomed.

Sentencing | five months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months; 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 days of 'rehab'; six month alcohol treatment requirement. Banned from owning animals for 10 years.

https://ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org/ovingdean-east-sussex-michael-sweetman

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/sussex-man-who-killed-kitten-banned-from-owning-animals-for-10-years-5271626

12/08/2025

via Naturewatch Foundation | A Tail of Two Dogs.

Find out more about the campaign to end medical experiments on beagles: https://naturewatch.org/campaigns/animal-experiments/beagle-testing

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1657156638314560

12/08/2025

CONVICTED | 14-year-old boy from Hastings, East Sussex - filmed himself torturing his family dog for social media likes.

The youth, who probably won't ever be publicly named because of his age (not until he's 18 anyway), appeared in youth court at Hastings Magistrates yesterday where he admitted cruelty to the dog, who survived the savage assault.

Harrowing and extremely graphic video footage filmed in September 2024 showed the black-balaclava-clad youth mercilessly kicking, punching and strangling the Yorkie-type dog, and gouging his or her eyes. He then shared the sick video with classmates at Robertsbridge Community College, with some pupils reporting the incident to police.

The youth was soon arrested and charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely the family dog.

This lad has form for filming sick videos. He apparently made a film mocking cancer victims and we have seen footage of him brandishing a knife and threatening to cut someone's throat. Another video captured him verbally abusing his nan, calling her "a stupid b**ch".

Although the youth was given a 10-year ban on being around dogs, his victim will NOT be removed from the family home. The parents are said to be very fond of the dog and have promised to ensure that their son will never be left alone with the animal.

Sentencing | nine-month youth referral order. Banned from owning or being around any dog for 10 years.

Previous: https://www.facebook.com/UKAnimalCrueltyFiles/posts/pfbid02huG2Sr6VL3aHBpakcpWNyhQYH2EtsgYFegpU3kGwdGBNPfb8Qz9Q8XMArreHGunl

https://www.facebook.com/UKAnimalCrueltyFiles/posts/pfbid02qQ6MLys8mFduK7ppVPnUjskyM2eYjY78mHDPae8sxSgyAydEtjtiNfUVQubdpwnal

12/08/2025

‼️ Alleged Animal Abuser at Large (RSPCA Appeal) ‼️ | Whitechapel, Liverpool L1: man wanted for questioning after brutal seagull killing.

The RSPCA appeal follows an alleged incident outside shops in Whitechapel where a man was seen picking up a bird from the pavement and hitting it against a litter bin before throwing the animal inside.

The bird was retrieved from inside the bin by staff at a nearby shop but it had already sadly died.

Footage of the alleged incident, which is said to have happened at about 8.20pm on Tuesday 1 July has now been passed to the RSPCA.

The animal welfare charity has released images of a man who was seen in the vicinity at the time and could have vital information which may be able to help with their enquiries. Footage of the incident not being released at this time.

RSPCA Inspector Louise Showering, who is investigating, said: "We've received upsetting footage of a juvenile gull, who was unable to fly, allegedly being picked up from the pavement and hit with some force against a bin in Liverpool. The bird was later retrieved from inside but had sadly died.

"We're very keen to establish what happened and we’d like to speak to this man as we believe he may have important information which will help with our enquiries.

"We hope this individual now comes forward or can be identified."

The grey-bearded man is thought to be in his sixties and was wearing glasses, a dark coat and a t-shirt with a distinctive logo.

He is believed to have been holding a bottle in his right hand.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the RSPCA’s Inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01566475.

https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/25384058.cctv-appeal-gull-killed-liverpool-city-centre/

11/08/2025

ARREST | Gloucester: man arrested after reports a dog was violently attacked in the city centre on Monday, August 11.

The arrest came after a member of the public posted a plea and a picture on a public page, asking anyone with information to get in touch with police.

A post on the Animals Lost and Found Gloucestershire page said a dog had been dragged through the city centre, kicked and punched by a man - leaving blood on the pavement.

Attempts were made to take the dog to safety, but it was claimed the man became abusive and ran off with the dog.

The dog has been seized and is reported to be safe.

A Gloucestershire police spokeswoman said: "A man has been arrested after it was reported that a man had repeatedly hit his dog in Gloucester earlier today (Monday).

"We were called shortly after 11.05am with a report that a man who was on Northgate Street had been kicking and punching his dog.

"It was reported that members of the public tried to intervene.

"Enquiries have been taking place and this afternoon officers arrested a man from Gloucester on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He remains in custody for questioning.

"Officers also seized a dog and it has been taken to a vet to be checked over.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has footage of what happened, and has not yet spoken to police can provide information online by completing the following form and quoting incident 185 of 11 August."

https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/man-arrested-allegedly-punching-kicking-10416964

11/08/2025

‼️ RSPCA Appeal ‼️ | Corby, North Northamptonshire NN18: three hedgehogs found dead with suspicious injuries.

The three adult hedgehogs were found by a member of the public on Thursday August 7, inside a carrier bag on a footpath that runs behind the houses on Coldermeadow Avenue.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Rebecca Frost was called to the incident and took the bodies of the animals to a vet for examination.

The vet found that one male hedgehog had a puncture wound to his head, another male had an injury to his mouth.

Rebecca said: “The circumstances in which these hedgehogs were found is suspicious - all three had blood around their mouth and face area - but otherwise appeared to be in good health prior to their death.

“We are concerned as to how these hedgehogs came to die and we are appealing for anyone who may have any information which can help our investigation to contact the RSPCA Inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and quote incident number 1598848.”

The incident comes as the animal welfare charity released new statistics as part of its ‘Summer Cruelty Campaign’ showing June, July and August as peak times for animal cruelty reports.

In summer 2024, across England and Wales the RSPCA took 34,401 cruelty calls to their emergency line - compared to 25,887 the year before - showing an increase by a third.

https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/rspca-investigation-launched-after-three-hedgehogs-found-dead-in-bag-in-corby-5265849

09/08/2025

🔴 (Alleged) Animal Abuser at Large 🔴 | Newquay, Cornwall.

Posted on the Newquay FB group on Thursday 7 August.

Jake: "This man just seen kicking, hitting and throwing about his dog. Entire caravan shook. Please find him, police & RSPCA informed. Reg KX59 EPP. Was in boating lake lay-bys but drove off whilst I was on the phone. Vile."

Follow OP for news and updates.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/newquayweb/posts/10162980763819839/

09/08/2025

CONVICTED | Ryan Scandrett, 36, from Tong, Bradford BD4 0DA – starved two dogs to death.

Traveller Scandrett was prosecuted in relation to a male brindle lurcher called Rocky and a male Shepherd called Max. Both dogs were put to sleep due to their “moribund” condition. Scandrett said he hadn’t taken the pets to a vet because he feared he’d “get done” for neglecting them.

RSPCA prosecutor Louise Freeman said officers from the animal charity visited Scandrett’s address on September 21, 2024. She said: “They were met by a large crowd of people and police officers. Members of the public were crying and seemed very angry.”

She said officers were shown two dogs that were sat in the boot of a car. Both looked in poor condition.

Max was “retching,” the dogs were emaciated and there was “foul smelling” saliva hanging from one dog’s mouth.

The dogs were taken to a vet who found them to be lethargic and depressed. They were skinny, and the vet gave both a body score of one out of nine – the lowest possible score.

Mrs Freeman said the “bones were clearly visible” on both dogs.

They showed symptoms of starvation, and one dog vomited raw, undigested chicken, including skin and chicken bones.

She added: “The condition of the dogs continued to deteriorate significantly, and euthanasia was required.”

Mrs Freeman said: “It is likely that the additional stress from trying to digest a raw chicken carcass would have hastened the dog’s moribund state.”

Vets estimated that the dogs had suffered for at least two weeks before they were put down.

During interview, Scandrett claimed he had only had the dogs for about two weeks, and said they were in a poor condition when he got them.

Mrs Freeman said: “He said he didn’t take them to the vet ‘in case he got done for it.’

“He continued to allow the dogs to suffer – it was a deliberate disregard for animal welfare. He knew these dogs were underweight.”

Scandrett initially denied the animal cruelty charges against him, but changed his plea to guilty two days before his trial was set to begin.

Referring to this, Mrs Freeman said: “He failed to accept any wrongdoing until the last minute.”

Mohammed Abid, defending, said Scandrett suffered from “anxiety and depression”.

Ahead of the likely ban on keeping animals, he had decided to give two horses he owned to a friend.

He said: “It is a very sad affair that he finds himself before the court today.

“He had two horses that he has had to give to a friend – they have helped calm him down. He has owned animals all his life and this is his first time before the courts.”

He told magistrates his client had been given the dogs by other travellers, and “obtained them in the hope of nursing them back to health.

“Had he not taken the dogs, the previous owners would have left them to die.”

He claimed the raw chicken had been thrown over the fence by a neighbour, and that Scandrett had only ever given the dogs cooked chicken.

He said: “He should have taken the dogs to the vets sooner but he feared he would have been blamed for their state.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work; ordered to pay £600 in costs. Lifetime ban on keeping or being involved in the care of animals but can appeal after 10 years.

https://ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org/tong-city-of-bradford-ryan-scandrett/

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/25373192.man-given-ban-keeping-animals-due-dogs-suffering/

UK Animal Cruelty Files - UKACF

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