At a court hearing in September 2020 a Forest of Dean resident James Awdry pleaded not guilty to offences relating to animal welfare. Today in Cheltenham Magistrates Court James Awdry changed his plea to guilty.
Appearing before the Magistrates, James Awdry of Bream was ordered to pay £3866 in fines and costs after being found guilty of two counts of Failing to Provide for an Animal’s Needs and one count of Causing Unnecessary Suffering.
The prosecution was brought by the Forest of Dean District Council Street Warden Team with the assistance of the Counter Fraud Unit and the Council’s legal team. The Street Warden Team and Gloucestershire Constabulary attended the home address of Mr Awdry’s father on the 14th of January 2020 on the execution of a warrant. The Counter Fraud Unit and Street Warden Team then conducted an investigation into allegations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Two dogs, a Spaniel and a black Labrador, were found housed in an old chiller unit at the rear of an open garage that was in a filthy and unhygienic condition, with no natural light and poor ventilation. Three other Spaniels were also found in small cages at the front of the property. It was deemed by the Street Warden Team that the basic needs of the animals had not been provided for. The Spaniel kept in the chiller unit was found to have an infestation of biting lice and a fungal infection in her ears, along with a patch of raw skin on her chest causing her unnecessary discomfort and suffering.
Awdry had failed to provide a suitable environment for his dogs to live in and failed to protect them from suffering and disease.
Forest of Dean District Council’s Animal Welfare Member Champion, Councillor Nicky Packer said:
“No animal should have to suffer. Whoever is looking after an animal has the responsibility to ensure the animal is protected, kept free from pain and nurtured in a safe environment.
“It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of our street warden team that we will continue to protect animals in the Forest of Dean and make sure that those that flout animal welfare laws are brought to account. If you have any welfare concerns for animals that you are aware of, please do not hesitate to contact our street warden team at street.wardens@fdean.gov.uk.”
The prosecution was undertaken by Forest of Dean District Council’s Legal Services team working with the Council’s Street Wardens Team and Counter Fraud Unit (CFU). Members of the public can contact the Council with any concerns about animal welfare by email Street.Wardens@fdean.gov.uk or the CFU by email at fraud.referrals@cotswold.gov.uk
