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Battersea renews call for tougher prison sentences
Graham Thomas was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Welsh border collie Prince by hanging him from a tree.

Call comes after Welsh man jailed for killing his dog

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has renewed its call for tougher sentences for animal cruelty after a Welsh farmer was sent to prison for 18 weeks for killing his sheepdog.

Graham Thomas from Tredegar was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Welsh border collie Prince by hanging him from a tree. Three people witnessed the horrific incident, who promptly contacted the RSPCA.

The hearing took place last Wednesday (21 March), where Newport Magistrates Court heard the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be a suitable punishment. Mr Thomas was jailed for 18 weeks, banned from keeping dogs and sheep for life and ordered to pay more than £750 in costs.

The news comes weeks after the Government proposed to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty in England and Wales to five years. Research by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home shows that the current six-month sentence is the lowest in Europe.

“Shocking cases like this show how important it is to increase sentences for the most serious cases of animal cruelty,” said Battersea’s chief executive, Claire Horton.

“Had this man been convicted of fly-tipping, he could have been jailed for up to five years. Instead, he has escaped with just a few months in prison. We urge Westminster not to lose sight of this vital issue and to tighten up our laws as soon as possible."

Commenting on the incident, RSPCA inspector Emma Smith said: “This is such an unusual and disturbing case where a sheepdog was killed by his owner allegedly because he wouldn’t round up his sheep properly.

“Prince would have suffered immensely which resulted say in his death. This deliberate cruelty is just so horrific to fathom. Following the incident, his body was removed by the defendant and burnt."

She continued: “It must have been extremely distressing for the witnesses to have seen this. We are very grateful to them for reporting to us and assisting with our investigations.” 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.