Man jailed after RSPCA finds “sadistic” badger stabbing video
A Caerphilly man has been jailed for 16 weeks after persecuting badgers in “deliberate and sadistic” acts where mammals were filmed being stabbed, kicked and attacked by dogs
A Caerphilly man has been jailed for 16 weeks after persecuting badgers in “deliberate and sadistic” acts where mammals were filmed being stabbed, kicked and attacked by dogs.
Lloyd Gary Robert Davies from Bryn Heol, Bedwas, was also banned from keeping all animals for life.
Newport Magistrates’ Court was told he killed or injured the protected mammals by setting lurchers on them in fights shared on mobile phones.
The court heard one video recovered from his phone showed a man’s hand stabbing into an injured badger after it is kicked and savaged by dogs.
District Judge Sophie Toms wanted to impose a longer sentence for the “absolutely disgusting” attacks but admitted “regrettably my hands are somewhat tied”.
"This was deliberate and sadistic cruelty filmed"
She added: “This was deliberate and sadistic cruelty filmed and shared for entertainment - one of the most serious cases of cruelty I’ve had to deal with in all my time.”
Davies pleaded guilty to killing, injuring or taking a badger, and aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring another person to kill, injure or take a badger, under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
He also admitted two Animal Welfare Act 2006 charges of failing to meet Shirley’s needs to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease, by using her to hunt badgers.
At a sentencing Judge Toms also ordered him to pay £400 costs and £154 victim surcharges.
The judge was told that the cruelty was exposed when a mobile phone seized from the defendant last year was examined by the RSPCA’s special operations unit.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, who investigated, said: “The judge’s comments made it absolutely clear what she thought about the degree of cruelty inflicted on badgers in this case.
“She also spelled out the kind of harm suffered by the defendant’s dog Shirley before we were able to take her to safety.
“But it also shows how people who persecute wildlife for pleasure will not be tolerated. We will investigate them and bring them to justice.”
PC Rhys Jones of Gwent Police, said: "I'm glad that the offender has been brought to justice for his cruel behaviour against these animals.
"This case showcases the importance of our link with the RSPCA, to ensure that offenders like Davies do not get away with these cruel acts against animals."