Latest news with #Staffie
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
"Merciless" puppy torturer jailed after attacking dog with iron and bottle
Sadistic Daniel Murphy hit Buster, a Staffie, 70 times in three hour torture session, making vet feel physically sick at torture footage. Murphy was jailed for nine months and banned for life from keeping animals. A 'merciless' brute who battered a tiny pup 70 times in a three hour video nasty attack was jailed after a sheriff was appalled by the assault. Daniel Murphy, 43, was caged for nine months and given a life ban from keeping animals after his crimes were caught in a 'pet cam' he'd set up at home to keep tabs on pet Staffie Buster while he was out. The video caught Murphy smashing a household iron against the 11-month-old pup's head and body at his home in Prestwick, Ayrshire. Sadistic Murphy - who was jailed previously for another attack on a defenceless dog - tortured the terrified pup by showing love one second then suddenly exploding in violence. He also gave the animal commands and rewarded Buster with violence even when he did what he was told. In one three hour video nasty he hit Buster 70 times, with the iron and a bottle, cruelly pouring liquid over the petrified pup's head. The pup was eft with a broken bone, a severely swollen face and cuts, leading a horrified vet to immediately call in the SSPCA, which brought the case against Murphy. As Murphy was led to the cells at Ayr Sheriff Court, the shame-faced coward told Sheriff Michael Meehan: 'I'm sorry you had to view the footage.' The video evidence had been deemed too brutal and upsetting to be viewed in open court, leaving the sheriff to watch in private. Sheriff Meehan told Murphy: 'The narrative heard by the court includes video footage, which I watched, of Buster lying in his bed being struck on the head with a household iron. 'And then he was stuck on the body of the household electric iron, with 70 blows over a period of three hours. 'In short, what was shown in the footage was merciless behaviour to a vulnerable animal.' At an earlier hearing, where Murphy pleaded guilty to the mindless abuse, procurator fiscal Carrie Paxton said SSPCA officers had heard a dog squealing and were concerned the dog was being abused. Murphy didn't let inspectors in but later took Buster to a vet, where he told them he's 'accidentally kicked the dog in the head and then the dog had walked into a parked car'. The fiscal added: 'She found the dog named Buster to be subdued with significant swelling on his head and face and his right eye was closed over. 'Buster was re-examined on Saturday, November 2. Trauma to the head was concluded to be the most likely cause of his swelling and further pain relief was proscribed and another follow up advised for the next day.' The court heard the SSPCA was later sent videos taken inside Murphy's home by an anonymous source. The fiscal depute added: 'The witness found the footage very distressing to watch felt physically sick and was reduced to tears. 'The footage shows the accused physically and mentally abusing his dog Buster, subjecting the dog to hours of torment, including physically beating the dog all over his body with his hands and various items including a gold bottle and an iron. 'He also picks the dog up by his legs and tail and numerous occasions and throws and drags the dog about the room. 'The dog is visibly terrified through the ordeal, displaying behaviours of distress and fear. 'At np point in the videos is Buster seen to defend himself or retaliate in any way to the abuse. His body positioning is often cowering and close to the ground. 'His head during the beatings is low with his ears pinned back and he frequently rolls to his side. He seemed panting and trembling when laying on his side. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The fiscal adds: 'In her experience as a vet and animal welfare scientist, the level of abuse Buster is seen to endure for almost three hours in these videos is some of the worst she has encountered. Buster's response to the abuse is one of resignation and appeasement. 'The bruising and swelling which develops following such beatings can take weeks to heal and bone fractures will take months. The negative mental impact of the abuse is no less severe and may take significantly longer to reverse. Jailing Murphy for nine months, Sheriff Meehan said: 'The reason I'm imposed the maximum is to punish you, to express disapproval, and also for the purpose of protecting animals like Buster from harm. 'The only sentence that could be imposed is imprisonment.' The sheriff noted Murphy's previous conviction, for attacking another dog on a street, for which he was given three months in jail in 2018. 'Given the previous conviction that you have in relation to an animal and given your previous convictions for inflicting injury with weapons to persons, and given the circumstances of this deeply disturbing, sustained campaign, I believe you should be disqualified for keeping animals for a period of life.' The sheriff said the ban would be 'wide ranging', meaning he could have no contact with any animal - and will not be able to appeal that decision for a period of ten years. Anne Marie Hicks, Procurator Fiscal for North Strathclyde, said: 'Daniel Murphy carried out attacks on his dog which were horrific and cruel. 'This poor animal endured a shocking ordeal and was subjected to terrible mental and physical abuse. 'The images on video were extremely distressing, but Daniel Murphy has now been brought to account for his crimes. 'We take such criminality seriously and the public can be assured that we will prosecute such matters where there is a sufficiency of evidence to do so.'
Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Dog owner saves £200 a year on pet food after making simple switch
Dog owner saves £200 a year on pet food after making simple switch Bethan Shufflebotham has two adorable Staffies crosses, Phoebe and Frank Bethan switched her two dogs' pet food to Forthglade, a nutritious subscription service (Image: Bethan Shufflebotham ) A devoted dog owner has saved more than £200 a year on dog food after switching to a subscription service. Writer Bethan Shufflebotham is the proud owner of two Staffie crosses, Phoebe and Frank, and their nutrition is of the utmost importance to her. Bethan found that her usual dog food was becoming increasingly more expensive to purchase monthly. Phoebe began to lose interest in her meals, and as a result, Bethan began researching alternatives (based on price, nutritional content and customer reviews), before coming across Forthglade's Lightly Baked Lamb Kibble. A discovery she describes as a 'revelation'. Bethan said of her pups: "Their nutrition is of the utmost importance to me. However, we recently had to make a difficult decision—one that turned out to be among the best we've ever made." With Forthglade's dry food subscription, pet owners can select from 2kg, 6kg, 12kg, and 18kg bags, reports the Mirror. READ MORE: Group of dentists test £24 teeth whitener to give it '5-star seal of approval' READ MORE: Jo Malone launches 'best ever' perfume for summer that smells just like ice cream While prices may fluctuate depending on the flavour, the lamb option starts at £12.59, reduced from £13.99. Bethan says: "We personally go for the 12kg bag as it lasts us precisely four weeks. If you have a smaller dog, that same 12kg could last much longer - potentially eight to 12 weeks, depending on size, resulting in even more savings in the long run." She continues: "Every month, two 6kg bags of nutritionally complete kibble arrive at our doorstep with complimentary next-day delivery. I particularly appreciate that it comes in two 6kg bags rather than one 12kg bag, as it's easier to handle and keeps the food fresher." The subscription is priced at £62.99, a reduction from the usual £69.99. Get at least 10% off pet food varies Forthglade Subscribe here Product Description Feeding naturally nourishing food shouldn't come with a side of hassle - Forthglade's subscription service takes care of your dog and your to-do list. The service saves Bethan money, as the previous food cost £80 per month. In total, she is saving approximately £17 per month, equating to more than £200 annually, that's before considering the exclusive subscriber perks. Bethan said: "I secured a substantial discount on my initial order and paid less than £50 for the first month." She continues: "Since then, each time our subscription has renewed, we've accrued 'rewards' and currently have about £8 in our account that we can opt to deduct from a future order. I could choose to make one month slightly cheaper, or accumulate my credits until I have enough for a 'free' bag." Forthglade isn't the sole brand offering subscription services on their food. Elsewhere, Marleybones is providing new customers with 30% off their trial selection boxes, while Butternut Box has 25% off owners' first two boxes in similar subscription services. The Forthglade delivery arrive always puts a smile on Frank's face (Image: Bethan Shufflebotham ) On Forthglade's subscription, Bethan adds: "One of the aspects I appreciate most about the Forthglade subscription, however, is its flexibility. We're due to go on holiday soon, and our order would have been scheduled during our absence, so we simply postponed our delivery by two weeks with a few clicks. No phone calls, no hassle, just a straightforward online adjustment. What's even better is that it was dispatched three hours later and arrived the following afternoon, with next-day delivery included as standard. "We decided to tweak our subscription because placing an order every Saturday led to deliveries on Mondays, but now they conveniently arrive on Thursdays. It's great that you have the flexibility to skip, pause, or delay orders, and Forthglade sends a timely email reminder before each dispatch. "With no contractual ties, it offers peace of mind that you can cancel any time should the service not meet your needs." Phoebe and Frank are big fans of their new food, with 'clean bowls' being a clear indicator. Bethan says their favourite is the lamb variety. Thousands of owners and their dogs love it too, including Winnie from @ (Image: Instagram/Forthglade ) Trustpilot reviewers share Bethan's sentiments, with Forthglade having an overall 4.6-star rating. A customer commented: "The website is helpful for allowing you to make choices. The customer services are responsive and address any issues directly with you - a real person, not a Bot. Food is delivered quickly and well packaged. Most importantly, I don't think in the three months we have had our pup, I have (not) wasted a single ounce of dried food as she dives on it every day. I have just changed my subscription with Forthglade, and it was so easy to do." Another subscriber shared. "It's so far so good as my boys are now on the Senior dog wet food. The delivery is always so prompt. Keep up the good work." Some customers expressed a desire for more variety, with a buyer saying: 'I have been getting the salmon/sardine multipack on subscription for a few months now, and my dog loves it. Easy to change delivery days with subscription, and never worry about running out. Great for my dog's allergies, who can only have fish, but wish the multipack had more than two flavours for more variety.' Phoebe and Frank know exactly what's in the box with wagging tails all around (Image: Bethan Shufflebotham ) Another Trustpilot reviewer commented: "Subscription order came on time, notification was received of when payment was taken. My three little dogs are very happy that Mum didn't run out of their chew sticks. It's one less thing to think about when doing my shopping.' Article continues below Bethan concludes: "In the past, I used to manually order food, and the Forthglade subscription really has been a godsend for taking one thing off my life admin to-do list. The next-day delivery is convenient, and the perks are a real bonus. Plus, I've often ordered their treats and wet food from there, too, so now I can just have everything arrive at the same time. "And one thing that was really important to me was that we weren't sacrificing quality for convenience - Forthglade is still a premium brand, but they just know how to look after their customers. It's one of the easiest, smartest switches we've made and my only regret is not doing it sooner."
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Savvy dog owner swaps supermarket dog food to save over £200
Beth said the decision to change to a food subscription didn't come easy but now her and her two rescue Staffie crosses love it As a dedicated owner of two rescue Staffie crosses, Phoebe and Frank, devoted dog mum Beth knows that keeping them well fed is her number on priority. Recently faced with a difficult choice, Beth made a tough decision that turned out to be one of her best yet. Already concerned that the price of their regular dog food was gradually rising, Beth saw that Phoebe, the pickier eater, was starting showing less interest in her meals. She said: "After comparing various brands based on cost, nutritional value and customer feedback, we finally decided to change their diet, opting for a subscription of Forthglade's Lightly Baked Lamb Kibble, which has been a blessing for several reasons." The dry food subscription offers options of 2kg, 6kg, 12kg, and 18kg bags. Although prices vary depending on the flavour, the lamb variety starts at £12.59, reduced from £13.99. Beth explained: "We opt for the 12kg option as it lasts us exactly four weeks. If you have a smaller dog, the same 12kg could last significantly longer - potentially eight to 12 weeks depending on size, resulting in additional savings," according to the Mirror. Every month, two 6kg bags of nutritionally balanced kibble are delivered directly to her house with free next-day delivery. Happy with the service, Beth added: "I particularly value the convenience of receiving two 6kg bags instead of a single 12kg bag, as it's easier to manage and helps keep the food fresh." The subscription is set at £62.99, a markdown from the usual £69.99, already offering savings as Beth claims that her previous food expenditure was £80 per month. In total, she is saving around £17 each month, which amounts to saving over £200 annually, and that's before taking into account the exclusive subscriber perks. Speaking of more reasons to switch to Forthglade, Beth explained: "I bagged a significant discount on my initial order, shelling out less than £50 for the first month. Subsequently, with each renewal of our subscription, we've racked up 'rewards', and currently have roughly £8 in our account that we can choose to subtract from a future order. "I could opt to make one month slightly cheaper, or hoard my credits until I have enough for a 'free' bag." Forthglade isn't the only brand providing subscription services for their food. Elsewhere, Marleybones is offering new customers 30% off their trial selection boxes, while Butternut Box is offering 25% off the first two boxes for owners in similar subscription schemes. Beth said: "One feature I particularly appreciate about the Forthglade subscription is its adaptability. We're due to go on holiday soon and our order would have arrived whilst we were away, so we simply delayed our delivery by two weeks with a few clicks. "No phone calls, no fuss, just a straightforward online adjustment. Even better, it was dispatched three hours later and arrived the following afternoon, with next day delivery included as standard." Seeking even more convenience, Beth decided to tweak her subscription slightly because her orders were always placed on a Saturday, resulting in Monday deliveries. Since making the change, her deliveries now arrive on Thursdays, which is much more convenient for her household. She added: "The service is remarkably flexible, allowing us to easily skip, pause, or delay orders. Forthglade also sends reminders before dispatching orders, and with no contract to tie us down, we can cancel at any time if needed. "But what really matters is whether Phoebe and Frank enjoy their meals, and I'm delighted to report they've been wolfing down their food - the lamb variety has become a firm favourite after years of eating chicken kibble." Other pet owners on Trustpilot share the enthusiasm, with Forthglade boasting a 4.6-star rating. One reviewer said: "The website is helpful for allowing you to make choices. Customer services are responsive and address any issues directly with you - a real person not a Bot. Food is delivered quickly, well packaged. Most importantly I don't think in the three months we have had our pup, I have wasted a single ounce of dried food as she dives on it every day." A fellow satisfied customer wrote: "I have just changed my subscription with Forthglade and it was so easy to do," shared another satisfied customer. "It's so far so good as my boys are now on the Senior dog wet food. The delivery is always so prompt. Keep up the good work." However, some customers expressed a desire for more variety. One pet owner stated: "I have been getting the Salmon/Sardine multipack on subscription for a few months now and my dog loves it. Easy to change delivery days with subscription and never worry about running out. Great for my dogs allergies who can only have fish but wish the multipack had more than 2 flavours for more variety. Another customer penned: "Subscription order came on time, notification was received of when payment was taken, my 3 little dogs are very happy that Mum didn't run out of their chew sticks," adding, "It's one less thing to think about when doing my shopping." Beth added: "In the past, I used to place orders manually, but the Forthglade subscription has truly been a blessing, eliminating one task from my life admin to-do list. The next day delivery is convenient, and the perks are a real bonus. "Plus, I've frequently ordered their treats and wet food from there too, so now everything arrives simultaneously." She concluded: "One crucial aspect for me was ensuring we weren't compromising quality for convenience - Forthglade remains a premium brand, but they simply know how to cater to their customers. It's one of the easiest, smartest switches we've made, and my only regret is not doing it sooner."
North Wales Live
22-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
'I made one smart and easy switch to my dogs meals and it saved me over £200 a year'
As a devoted owner of two rescue Staffie crosses, Phoebe and Frank, their nutritional wellbeing is my number one priority. However, we recently faced a challenging decision that turned out to be one of our best yet. Our usual dog food was steadily increasing in price, and Phoebe, the fussier eater, began showing disinterest at meal times. After evaluating various different brands based on cost, nutritional content, and customer reviews, we finally made the decision to swap their diet, opting for a subscription of Forthglade's Lightly Baked Lamb Kibble, which has proven to be a godsend for various reasons. The dry food subscription offers options of 2kg, 6kg, 12kg, and 18kg bags. Although prices fluctuate depending on the flavour, the lamb variety starts at £12.59, reduced from £13.99. We choose the 12kg option as it lasts us precisely four weeks. If you have a smaller dog, the same 12kg could last considerably longer - potentially eight to 12 weeks depending on size, resulting in further savings, reports the Mirror. Each month, two 6kg bags of nutritionally balanced kibble are delivered to our doorstep with complimentary next-day delivery. I particularly appreciate the convenience of receiving two 6kg bags instead of a single 12kg bag, as it's easier to handle and helps maintain the freshness of the food. The subscription is priced at £62.99, a reduction from the usual £69.99, already providing savings as our previous food cost was £80 per month. In total, we're pocketing around £17 each month, equating to over £200 annually, and that's before considering the exclusive subscriber benefits. For instance, I secured a substantial discount on my initial order, paying less than £50 for the first with each renewal of our subscription, we've accumulated 'rewards', and currently have approximately £8 in our account that we can opt to deduct from a future order. I could choose to make one month slightly cheaper, or accumulate my credits until I have enough for a 'free' bag. Forthglade isn't the only brand offering subscription services for their food. Elsewhere, Marleybones is granting new customers 30% off their trial selection boxes, while Butternut Box is serving up 25% off the first two boxes for owners in similar subscription schemes. One aspect I particularly like about the Forthglade subscription is its flexibility. We're due to go on holiday soon and our order would have arrived whilst we were away, so we simply postponed our delivery by two weeks with a few clicks. No phone calls, no hassle, just a straightforward online adjustment. Even better, it was dispatched three hours later and arrived the following afternoon, with next day delivery included as standard. Another reason we opted to adjust our subscription was due to the fact that our orders were consistently placed on a Saturday, leading to delivery on Monday. We've since changed this, and now our deliveries arrive on Thursday, which suits us much better. It's super flexible, too, with the ability to skip, pause, or delay orders with ease. Forthglade emails reminders before dispatch, plus, there's no binding contract, allowing for cancellation at any time should it not meet your needs. But ultimately, the true test is whether Phoebe and Frank take to it, and I'm thrilled to report it's been clean bowls all round - the lamb variety has been a standout favourite after years of chicken kibble. This sentiment is shared by other pet owners on Trustpilot, where Forthglade boasts a 4.6-star rating. One reviewer praised: "The website is helpful for allowing you to make choices. Customer services are responsive and address any issues directly with you - a real person not a Bot. Food is delivered quickly, well packaged. Most importantly I don't think in the three months we have had our pup, I have wasted a single ounce of dried food as she dives on it every day.' "I have just changed my subscription with Forthglade and it was so easy to do," shared another satisfied customer. "It's so far so good as my boys are now on the Senior dog wet food. The delivery is always so prompt. Keep up the good work." However, some customers expressed a desire for more variety. One pet owner stated: "I have been getting the Salmon/Sardine multipack on subscription for a few months now and my dog loves it. Easy to change delivery days with subscription and never worry about running out. Great for my dogs allergies who can only have fish but wish the multipack had more than 2 flavours for more variety. "Subscription order came on time, notification was received of when payment was taken, my 3 little dogs are very happy that Mum didn't run out of their chew sticks," wrote another, adding, "It's one less thing to think about when doing my shopping." In the past, I used to place orders manually, but the Forthglade subscription has truly been a blessing, eliminating one task from my life admin to-do list. The next day delivery is convenient, and the perks are a real bonus. Plus, I've frequently ordered their treats and wet food from there too, so now everything arrives simultaneously. One crucial aspect for me was ensuring we weren't compromising quality for convenience - Forthglade remains a premium brand, but they simply know how to cater to their customers. It's one of the easiest, smartest switches we've made, and my only regret is not doing it sooner.
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'I ditched my dogs' food for a subscription and saved over £200'
We recently switched to Forthglade's dog food subscription and it's already made a huge difference for our fussy Staffie crosses, Phoebe and Frank - my only regret is not doing it sooner As the proud owner of two rescue Staffie crosses, Phoebe and Frank, ensuring they get the very best when it comes to their nutrition is a top priority. But recently, we had to make a tough decision - and it turned out to be one of the best we ever made. Our go-to dog food was becoming more expensive by the month, and Phoebe - the pickier of the pair - started turning her nose up at mealtimes. So, I had a scout around and compared a number of brands on their price, nutritional value and shopper reviews, and we settled on a subscription of Forthglade's Lightly Baked Lamb Kibble, and honestly, it's been a game changer. With the dry food subscription, owners can choose from 2kg, 6kg, 12kg and 18kg bags. While prices may vary depending on the flavour, the lamb starts at £12.59 down from £13.99. Personally, we opt for the 12kg as we know this lasts us exactly four weeks. If you have a smaller dog, that same 12kg could stretch you much further - potentially eight to 12 weeks depending on size, saving even more in the long run. Every month, two 6kg bags of nutritionally complete kibble lands on our doorstep with free next-day delivery. Personally I love that it comes in two 6kg bags rather than one 12kg one as it makes it much more manageable to move around, and keeps the food fresher. The subscription costs £62.99 instead of the regular £69.99, which already saves us money as our previous food was £80 per month. In total, we're saving around £17 per month, which works out at over £200 per year, and that's before you factor in the exclusive subscriber perks. For example, I managed to get a hefty discount on my first order and paid less than £50 for the first month. Since then, every time our subscription has renewed, we've earned 'rewards' and currently have around £8 in our account that we can choose to knock off a future order. I could decide to make one month a little cheaper, or save up my credits until I have enough for a 'free' bag. Forthglade isn't the only brand offering subscription services on their food. Elsewhere, Marleybones is offering new customers 30% off their trial selection boxes, with Butternut Box dishing out 25% off owners' first two boxes in similar subscription services. One of my favourite things about the Forthglade subscription, though, is the flexibility. We're heading on holiday soon and our order would have been due while we were away, so we simply moved our delivery back by two weeks with a few clicks. No phone calls, no fuss, just an easy online tweak. What's even better is that it was dispatched three hours later and arrived the following afternoon, with next day delivery coming as standard. Another reason we did want to tweak the subscription was because our orders were always placed on a Saturday, and therefore wouldn't arrive until Monday, which is worth keeping in mind. They now arrive on a Thursday instead which is much more convenient. I also like that you can skip, pause, or delay orders, and Forthglade sends a handy email reminder before each order. There's no contract, so it can be cancelled at any time if it's not right for you. Of course, the most important thing though, is that Phoebe and Frank enjoy it and let me tell you - it's been clean bowls all round. The lamb has been a real hit after years of chicken kibble. They seem to have reached a whole new level of excitement for mealtimes and as a dog mum, nothing makes me happier than to see them happy and healthy. Other pet owners have echoed my thoughts on Trustpilot, too, where Forthglade has earned a 4.6 star rating from shoppers. One said: 'The website is helpful for allowing you to make choices. customer services are responsive and address any issues directly with you - a real person not a Bot. Food is delivered quickly, well packaged. Most importantly I don't think in the three months we have had our pup, I have wasted a single ounce of dried food as she dives on it every day.' 'I have just changed my subscription with Forthglade and it was so easy to do,' said another. 'It's so far so good as my boys are now on the Senior dog wet food. The delivery is always so prompt. Keep up the good work.' Some people said they would prefer more variety. One owner said: 'I have been getting the Salmon/Sardine multipack on subscription for a few months now and my dog loves it. Easy to change delivery days with subscription and never worry about running out. Great for my dogs allergies who can only have fish but wish the multipack had more than 2 flavours for more variety.' 'Subscription order came on time, notification was received of when payment was taken, my 3 little dogs are very happy that Mum didn't run out of their chew sticks,' penned a fourth, 'It's one less thing to think about when doing my shopping.' Previously I used to manually order food and the Forthglade subscription really has been a godsend for taking one thing off my life admin to-do list. The next day delivery is convenient, and the perks are a real bonus. Plus I've often ordered their treats and wet food from there too, so now I can just have everything arrive at the same time. And one thing that was really important to me was that we weren't sacrificing quality for convenience - Forthglade is still a premium brand, but they just know how to look after their customers. It's one of the easiest, smartest switches we've made and my only regret is not doing it sooner.
