Caernarfon man given suspended jail sentence for hunting fox with dog
A North Wales man who admitted using his bull lurcher to hunt a fox and keeping the dog to fight other animals has been given a suspended jail sentence.
William Clive Alun Jones appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court yesterday after he was caught as part of an investigation into wildlife crime in August last year by the RSPCA, and supported by North Wales Police, called Operation Morpheus.
The 26-year-old admitted two charges, including hunting a fox with a dog, contrary to Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004, and one charge of keeping an animal for use in connection with an animal fight, contrary to section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
He was given a 30 day custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Jones, of Cil Isaf, Caernarfon, was also banned from keeping dogs for eight years and must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
He was fined £120 for the Hunting Act offence and must also pay £500 in court costs.
RSPCA inspector Vikki Dawe said: “This verdict shows that by working closely with the police, we are able to catch those individuals who believe that animal cruelty is an acceptable part of society.
“The RSPCA believes it is not, and this outcome shows that neither does the law. We may be a charity that relies on public donations to exist, but we remain as committed as ever in our efforts to catch those who inflict suffering on other animals.”
RSPCA inspectors found nine dogs at his home, including a tan coloured bull-lurcher type dog called Celt (pictured).
In interview, Jones said the fresh scarring on Celt was from a fox that he had caught three days previously and that older scarring was also from going out and taking foxes. He claimed Celt had caught about six foxes in the time he had owned him, which was approximately a year.
PC Eryl Lloyd, from North Wales Police Rural Crime Team, said: “We are pleased that our work with the RSPCA on this investigation has resulted in a successful outcome at court.
“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in our community and we will not hesitate to work alongside the RSPCA’s officers again if needed.”
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