Cumbria Police crack down on animal offenders in Workington
Two men sentenced for animal-related offences, including neglect and using a dog as a weapon during a police arrest
Cumbria Police continue to take decisive action against individuals committing animal offences, including those under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
On 12 September, Deri Hendren, 40, of Fisher Street, Workington, appeared at the town's Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody for offences under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act.
The prosecution followed an investigation into appalling conditions and a lack of basic care provided to dogs at his home. Officers from Cumbria Police’s Dog Section seized three dogs from the property on 10 November 2024, due to serious concerns for their welfare. A fourth dog was found dead at the scene.
As part of his sentencing, Hendren was banned from owning dogs for 10 years, ordered to pay £500 in costs, and a forfeiture order was issued, removing him as the owner of the seized dogs.
In a separate case, Owen Carr, 34, formerly of Rowe Terrace, Workington, appeared in court on 24 September charged with possessing or having custody of a fighting dog, an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Carr appeared in court just a day after receiving a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a violent assault on a woman. The charge related to a previous incident where Carr attempted to use his dog to attack a police officer during an arrest attempt.
Carr admitted to the offence and was sentenced to a further 27 days in prison, fined £500, and received a 10-year ban on dog ownership. The court also ordered the destruction of the dog, citing it as a potential danger to public safety.
A Cumbria Police spokesperson said:
“Cumbria Police will not hesitate to take action against people who abuse dogs or seek to use them as a weapon against other people."
“The officer arresting Carr was able to remain calm in the face of the defendant’s attempts to make his dog attack, keeping Carr under control and the dog away until help arrived.”
Cumbria Police reaffirm their commitment to protecting both the welfare of animals and the safety of the public through strict enforcement of the law.