Cruel Leeds man, 21, kept dogs covered in faeces, ticks, and wounds from fighting with badgers

A man from Leeds has been convicted of a string of animal welfare offences following an investigation into wildlife crime against badgers.

When policing team officers and RSPCA colleagues executed a warrant under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 in Mackenzie Ward's Saecroft address, they found four dogs being kept in appalling conditions. Covered in faeces, one of the dogs was covered in ticks and had fresh puncture wounds to the side of its face which was severely infected and swollen. It was suspected the wounds were caused by animal fighting.

Despite not being at the address during the raid on March 23, Ward, of Moresdale Lane, was later interviewed under caution. Finally, after a lengthy investigation, involving specialist support from the RSPCA, Naturewatch Foundation and Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, he was charged.

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The 21-year-old appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on Friday, November 1 where he admitted three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, one count of causing an animal to fight and four counts of failing to ensure the welfare of an animal.

He was given a 26-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a five-day rehabilitation order, 200 hours of unpaid work and a 10-year ban on keeping animals.

The dogs that were at the property were taken for immediate veterinary care.

Sergeant Andy Katkowski, who led the investigation, said: “The conditions these four dogs were found being kept in were truly appalling and we believe the injuries to one of the dogs was the result of it being involved in animal fighting, most likely with a badger.

“Badger-related offences are a particularly cruel form of wildlife crime where badgers face a horrific and prolonged death purely for the entertainment of those involved.

“It is an illegal activity that is often linked to other types of crime and the police and our partner agencies will continue to target those who take part in this so-called bloodsport.

“We encourage anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity in the countryside that could be linked to this type of offending or who has any information about those involved to contact us via 101 or online referencing Operation Molehill.”

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