Latest news with #RSCPA
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Shocking moment vile woman batters French bulldogs with spade after keeping TWENTY sick animals locked up
THIS is the shocking moment a vile woman battered her French bulldogs with a spade after keeping 20 animals locked up. Elizabeth Perrin was captured beating the defenceless animals in the garden of her home in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester. Advertisement 3 Elizabeth Perrin was filmed hitting her dogs with a spade The sick 52-year-old was then heard shouting " next one" as she continued the horrific rampage. One of the dogs was knocked to the ground and another had to be put down after suffering gash wounds. Perrin was also caught on video hitting the animals with a broom in a year-long campaign of abuse. When RSPCA officers attended the home, they discovered 20 dogs that had been kept in cramped conditions. Advertisement Read more news One of the French bulldogs, named Wizza, was found lying on the sofa injured. Inspector Ryan King said: "There was a bad smell coming from him, on closer inspection I noticed a number of puncture wounds on his front legs, there was some blood around his ears and further puncture wounds around his groin." Wizza was taken to a vet but had to be put to sleep two days later to end his suffering. Perrin and her partner Trevor Hague both appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court charged with abuse offences. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive The mum admitted causing unnecessary suffering to three dogs by inflicting blunt force trauma and physical violence. She also pleaded guilty to failing to ensure their needs were met by housing them away from other animals. But magistrates decided against banning her from keeping animals because her two children have special needs, which benefit from having support dogs. The court was told Inspector King was called to the home in November 2021 following reports a number of dogs were fighting. Advertisement Perrin and Hague told him they had 20 dogs in total and showed them around an open plan area where a number of the pets were kept. A month later, the officer was handed two videos - one showing Perrin hitting the dogs with a broom and another clip of Hague kicking one of the animals. The vile couple claimed they 'only hit or kick the dogs to split them up when fighting" and signed two of the pets over to the RSCPA. But Inspector King received a video a month later of Perrin smacking the dogs with a spade. Advertisement He said: "On the first swing I could hear a dull thud as she made contact with something. On the second swing there was more of a harsh sound and a slight sound of a dog yelping. 'She swings the spade down on three dogs that are in the corner, hitting two of the dogs on the head. One is hit with such force that is knocked off its feet onto its back and struggles to get up for a second. 'She then turns around, pauses, looks round at the dogs and shouts 'next one'.' A veterinary expert said the dogs would have been 'caused to suffer' from blunt force trauma. Advertisement He added the welfare needs of a number of other dogs kept by Perrin had not been met because they were not sufficiently separated from each other. Perrin was made subject to a 12-month community order, a 16-week night-time curfew and ordered to pay £700 costs. Inspector King said after the case: 'Having to see that video of someone deliberately inflicting pain on an animal with a weapon was awful. 'There is no excuse for this behaviour towards an animal. It really does defy belief that someone could behave in this way. Advertisement "Animals deserve to be shown kindness and respect.' 3 Some of the dogs had visible injuries 3 Perrin also kept the animals in cramped conditions Advertisement
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Wales Online
Banned owner found living with 50 cats in squalid conditions
Banned owner found living with 50 cats in squalid conditions An inspector said she couldn't believe her eyes when she entered the property David Thomas kept cats and kittens in awful conditions at his property in Mountain Ash (Image: RSPCA ) A 60-year-old man banned from owning cats was found living with 50 of them at his property in Wales according to the RSPCA. David Thomas, of Mountain Ash, had been banned from keeping cats for life after the animals were found in unsuitable conditions but the RSCPA then found he was keeping 50 cats at his home in equally awful conditions despite the ban. Thirty-five of the animals were seized from the property in October 2023 and in February 2024 a further 15 were rescued. On that occasion RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper said she couldn't believe her eyes at the state of the property and the amount of cats there. The RSPCA, assisted by South Wales Police, found the animals were kept in cramped metal cages which were full of faeces and urine. They also found cats being kept in locked dark cupboards. At Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court Thomas pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act and was found guilty of two other offences after a trial. David Thomas was found to be living with 50 cats during an RSPCA inspection despite having been banned from keeping the animals (Image: RSPCA ) Article continues below One offence related to a breach of an animal ban, imposed by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on September 13, 2023, where Thomas had been disqualified from keeping cats. The other offences comprised causing unnecessary suffering to a black male cat by failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for his lesions, failing to take such steps to ensure the needs of 35 cats were met, and a final offence of failing to ensure the needs of 15 cats were met. The court heard from DCI Cooper who said she attended the Pentwyn Avenue property on September 28, 2023, after the RSPCA received reports Thomas was still keeping multiple cats despite being disqualified. There was no reply at the address so she posted a disqualification order leaflet and a form stating that the RSPCA had received reports about cats still being kept at the property. The cats were often found in cramped conditions, usually locked in cages or cupboards (Image: RSPCA ) On October 18, 2023, DCI Cooper returned and met Cynon Taf Community Housing Group housing officers and fellow RSPCA inspector Neill Manley. Recalling her visit then DCI Cooper said: 'I walked into the back garden of Pentwyn Avenue and saw adult cats crammed in black metal cages which were full of cat faeces and urine. 'Although there was an obvious attempt to hide these crates with blankets and branches the cats were still being rained on and the blankets inside the crates were soaking wet. "Both the crates and the cats smelt very strongly of cat urine. The smell was extremely strong despite being outside. 'Some of the cats looked underweight, some had urine stains on their feet and legs, and some were matted with what looked and smelt like cat faeces. "It was obvious to me these cats have been kept in these conditions for a period of time and it hadn't just happened. "Many of the cats were clearly distressed. They were crying and were jumping up at the side of the crates in an attempt to get out.' The RSCPA was given permission to remove the cats and they were transferred from the cages into cat carriers. The RSPCA and police found many of the cats kept outside in cages covered with mouldy, wet blankets (Image: RSPCA ) The court heard that when they were inside to sign the paperwork DCI Cooper heard a cat meow which came from the cupboard under the stairs. The court heard that it was known cats had previously been kept in the cupboard at the property and Thomas had been advised to not keep cats in cupboards or cages. 'There was no light in the cupboard and it was small and dirty,' DCI Cooper said. 'I opened the cupboard door and there was a ginger and white cat standing on the shelf.' Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here. One of the cats was found in such a bad state it was euthanised (Image: RSPCA ) On this occasion 35 cats were removed and taken to the RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic to be assessed. In a further witness statement from DCI Cooper she said she returned to the property on February 9, 2024, with South Wales Police after receiving a call about further cats at the property. DCI Cooper recalled: 'As I entered the kitchen I saw crates and cat carriers full of cats. I could not believe my eyes.' Two more cats were found in the cupboard under the stairs. 'The police officer then shone his torch and found a black cat in the cupboard which I then caught and placed in a basket," she said. "He took another look and found another cat in the same cupboard making a total of 15 cats. The majority of the cats were urine-stained and had faecal matting in their coat. 'There were no litter trays provided apart from one which contained no substrate and was piled high with faeces and urine. None of the cats had access to water and they were all lying in their own faeces and urine.' Where the cats were being accommodated was found covered in faeces and urine (Image: RSPCA ) The cats were taken to the same veterinary clinic to be assessed. One cat who was found with a tumour on his tail was euthanised on veterinary advice. The other cats required little treatment and needed a wash, flea and worm treatments, and socialisation. In mitigation the magistrates heard Thomas had mental health issues and struggled physically with significant mobility issues. He was given 26 weeks in custody for the suffering offence, 10 weeks concurrent for the breach offence, and 18 weeks and 12 weeks for the other two offences also to run concurrently. The terms were all suspended for 12 months. DCI Gemma Cooper reported the cats were in a poor condition, some in awful conditions, and many smelt of faeces and urine with which they were also stained (Image: RSPCA ) Article continues below He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000, a victim surcharge of £154, and a £100 fine and was disqualified from keeping cats for life. Following the sentencing DCI Cooper said: 'The cats were so programmed to be kept in cages it took them a while to get used to having the space to walk around and play. "Once they got used to that and some socialisation they came on leaps and bounds and we are very happy to have found them loving homes.'
Powys County Times
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Powys County Times
UK weather: What should I do if I see a dog in a hot car?
Temperatures could hit 29C in parts of the UK this week, and while it may be nice for us ahead of summer, for our four-legged friends the heat can be deadly. Brits are set to see the warmest spell of the year so far, the Met Office has said. The forecaster has revealed temperatures of 24C or 25C are forecast on Monday (April 28), and they will rise each day until a peak on Wednesday (April 30) or Thursday (May 1) of 28C, with a small chance of seeing 29C. Temperatures will be 'markedly higher' than what they should be for this time of year, as at the end of April it is usually about 12C in the North and 16C in the South, so some areas could be more than 10C higher than the average. There will also be widespread sunshine, with only the northern parts of Scotland expected to see some rain. The RSPCA has previously warned dog owners about the 'silent killer' that is heatwaves. And they've issued another warning to people who may be thinking of leaving their dogs in the car during this Spring sunshine. The RSPCA says: 'Many people think it's ok to leave their dog in the car if they're parked in the shade or the windows are open. 'But a car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn't feel that warm. 'When it's 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour. It's very dangerous and will cause your dog suffering and harm.' What should I do if I see a dog in a hot car on a warm day? If you are out and see a dog in a hot car who seems to be struggling, the RSCPA has the following advice: 'First, assess the dog's condition. If they're showing any signs of heatstroke dial 999 at once. 'If the dog's condition is critical, and the police haven't arrived yet, your instinct will be to break into the car to free them. But please be aware that this could be classed as criminal damage. 'You may need to defend your actions in court, so please be sure you're doing the right thing. Legally, you can commit damage if you believe the car owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger. 'If you're sure you need to free the dog, tell the police what you intend to do and why. Take photos or videos of the dog. Are there any other witnesses? Take their names and telephone numbers. 'Don't be afraid to dial 999. If it's an emergency, we may not be able to get to you - and the dog - quickly enough. And as we have no powers of entry, we'd need to ask the police to help us rescue the dog. Don't worry - the police will soon let us know if the dog needs our help.'
The Independent
14-03-2025
- The Independent
Emotional moment family reunited with pet dog eights year after she was stolen
This is the emotional moment a family is reunited with their pet dog - eights year after she was stolen from their garden. Daisy the Labrador was stolen from her Norfolk home in 2017, with owners Rita and Philip Potter fearing they would never see her again. Now, eight years on, Daisy has been returned to her home after she was found by RSCPA inspector Kim Walters during a routine investigation in Weston-super-Mare on 2 February. The RSPCA has now shared footage of Daisy's emotional reunion, in this heartwarming clip.
Sky News
08-02-2025
- Sky News
Norfolk couple have 'dream come true' after reuniting with dog seven years after it was stolen
A couple have been reunited with their dog who was stolen from their garden more than seven years ago. Rita and Philip Potter said it was a "dream come true" to see Daisy, a Labrador, again after the RSPCA tracked her down. The dog was stolen from the couple's home in Norfolk in November 2017, sparking social media appeals and calls for tougher legislation on pet thefts. Witnesses claimed they saw the dog being bundled into a truck near their home by suspected backyard breeders, who profit from breeding animals in often unsafe conditions. Mr and Mrs Potter reported the incident to the police, but the number plate could not be traced at the time. Now 13 years old, Daisy was found more than 200 miles away in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, by an RSPCA inspector conducting routine investigations. After coming across the Labrador on 2 February, the inspector took her to a vet and checked her microchip - where she found contact details for Mr and Mrs Potter. The couple struggled to hold back tears as they saw Daisy again, as Mrs Potter, 80, said she and her husband are "so, so grateful" for the RSCPA. "We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her and where she might be," she said. "So it is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and have returned her to us - where she belongs - we are so, so grateful." Kim Walters, the RSPCA investigator, also said she was "a bit choked from listening to them and clearly how much they loved her". She added: "It was great telling them that we could get her back home soon once we had made sure she was fit enough to travel and we had arrangements in place for the four-hour journey to take place." Andy Cook, behavioural welfare adviser at the Brent Knoll Animal Centre, said it appeared that Daisy had been used for backyard breeding, and had "a number of mammary masses" - lumps that develop in breast tissue, which can be cancerous. He said Daisy also "has slight hip dysplasia and her coat was quite dirty when she came to us as though she had not been groomed for many years". "She is quite elderly for a Labrador at the age of 13 and we think she is deaf, but she is adorable," he added. "She really is the sweetest girl and will wag her tail whenever she sees you but since she was stolen it is clear she has had a hard life." Mrs Potter said: "We know she is elderly now and has health issues but whatever time she has left she will now be surrounded by lots of love and attention." It comes just months after another stolen dog called Daisy was reunited with her owners - eight years after being taken from her home in Mole Valley, Surrey, in 2016. The cocker spaniel, who was one at the time, was taken along with three other working gun dogs from the garden kennels they were being housed in. Surrey Police were made aware someone had tried to update the details on Daisy's microchip on Tuesday 29 October, leading to the reunion. Last year, the government passed the Pet Abduction Act, which could result in perpetrators facing a maximum five-year prison sentence, a fine, or both.
