Brighton cat killer jailed for five years – The Guardian
‘A security guard who killed cats in a series of attacks over eight months in Brighton has been jailed for more than five years.’
The Guardian, 30th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Category: animal cruelty
UK government seeks to extend protection of ivory-bearing animals – The Guardian
‘The plans would see the Ivory Act broadened to cover more animals, with ministers saying elephants are not the only species at risk. The proposed protections opened for public consultation on Saturday [17 July], and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has urged industry stakeholders and members of the public to share their views.’
The Guardian, 17th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
36 Crime Criminal Updates – The 36 Group
‘We are grateful to the contributors to this Newsletter. Sam Skinner’s case note on the recent decision in R -v- Brecani addresses the consequence of this important shift away from accepting as expert evidence the conclusive decisions made by civil servants within the Home Office on referrals for human trafficking and modern slavery. Kate Kelleher provides a timely reminder that the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 is in force from 29th June 2021 and provides a commentary on the most notable recent developments in the prosecutions of animal welfare offences. In April and May Catherine Rose and Tom Parker ran a 2-part webinar session on Open-Source Evidence with contributions from a panel of leading experts from the US and UK. Their article is just a taster of the material covered in greater depth in the sessions. A timely warning to apply the basic critical analysis we use in relation to evidence from many scientific fields to all such evidence before relying on it at face value. Mary Prior Q.C. has provided a comprehensive round up in the Crime Bulletin of all the recent decisions of importance in a broad spectrum of procedural and offence-based areas.’
The 36 Group, 28th June 2021
Source: 36group.co.uk
Security guard found guilty of Brighton cat killings – The Guardian
‘A shopping centre security guard has been found guilty of carrying out a series of cat killings in Brighton, closing a case that had puzzled police for months.’
The Guardian, 30th June 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Animals to be formally recognised as sentient beings in UK law – The Guardian
‘Animals are to be formally recognised as sentient beings in UK law for the first time, in a victory for animal welfare campaigners, as the government set out a suite of animal welfare measures including halting most live animal exports and banning the import of hunting trophies.’
The Guardian, 12th May 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
RSPCA plans to stop taking animal abusers to court privately – The Guardian
‘For nearly two centuries, the RSPCA has pursued private prosecutions against people it suspects of cruelty to animals. Now, under pressure from MPs, it has said it plans to end that practice and turn over its files to the Crown Prosecution Service instead.’
The Guardian, 28th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
New Judgment: R (on the application of Highbury Poultry Farm Produce Ltd) v Crown Prosecution Service [2020] UKSC 39 – UKSC Blog
‘The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed this appeal addressing whether proof of an offence contrary to Regulation 30(1)(g) of the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015, brought against a business operator as defined in Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing, requires proof of mens rea and/or some culpable act or omission on the part of the business operator.’
UKSC Blog, 16th October 2020
Source: ukscblog.com
‘Free bunnies’ activists found guilty of trespass after anti-fur protest – The Guardian
‘Four anti-fur activists, dubbed the “free bunnies”, have been found guilty of aggravated trespass following a protest at a flagship Dolce & Gabbana store in Mayfair, London.’
The Guardian, 23rd September 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
RSPCA calls for more regulation in pet industry – BBC News
‘Not all local authorities require dog walkers, trainers and groomers to have qualifications and licences to operate, say the RSPCA, and this can lead to some animals being put at risk.’
BBC News, 18th August 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Man jailed for beating and using cleaning products on dog – BBC News
‘A man who beat his pet American bulldog and used household cleaning products on her has been jailed for four months.’
BBC News, 17th January 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Men given suspended sentences for ‘releasing fox into path of hunt’ – The Guardian
‘Two men convicted of animal cruelty offences after being filmed dragging a fox out of a tunnel and releasing it “into the path of a hunt” have been given suspended sentences.’
The Guardian, 26th November 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
Teenagers who threw bricks at Gosport sheep sentenced – BBC News
‘Four teenagers who threw bricks at sheep and snapped off their horns have been given community sentences.’
BBC News, 26th November 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Pitiful’ £350 fines for fox hunters caught in video footage – BBC News
‘An animal welfare charity has called for people who illegally hunt foxes to be given prison sentences – after two men were fined a “pitiful” £350.’
BBC News, 21st November 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Man mutilates horse by stabbing it 20 times but is only charged with ‘criminal damage’ – The Independent
‘A teenager who mutilated a prize-winning horse by stabbing it 20 times has only been jailed for two months because the attack was classed as “criminal damage”.’
The Independent, 19th November 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Cat owner ‘disgusted’ at dog owner’s sentence – BBC Newsp
‘A cat owner said he screamed in horror while watching a man encourage his dog to maul the pet to death.’
BBC News, 18th November 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Man jailed for kicking seagull to death – The Independent
‘A man has been jailed for kicking and trampling a gull to death in the Welsh town of Tonypandy.’
The Independent, 5th November 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Dog thieves are not being pursued by police as £500 rule leaves pets languishing as low priority, say campaigners – Daily Telegraph
‘Dogs may be our best friends and their unwavering loyalty priceless but thefts of them are not being pursued by police because most are worth under £500 and so rated a minor low level crime, say campaigners.’
Daily Telegraph, 16th October 2019
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Man jailed for killing partner’s dog to ‘get back at her’ – BBC News
‘A man who killed his partner’s dog and hurt another so badly it had to be put down to “get back at her” has been jailed for two years.’
BBC News, 15th October 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Misleading’ PeTA ad banned for claiming wool ‘as cruel as fur’ – Daily Telegraph
‘An advert claiming wool is as cruel as fur has been banned by the watchdog because it said sheep need shearing.’
Daily Telegraph, 4th September 2019
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Man sent to jail for stabbing police dog in first conviction under new law – Daily Telegraph
‘A knife-wielding attacker who nearly blinded a police dog while high on drugs has become the first person to be jailed under Finn’s Law.’
Daily Telegraph, 5th August 2019
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
