A disgraced Angus gamekeeper who trained dogs to fight badgers and foxes has been jailed and banned from keeping animals for 15 years.
Blundering Rhys Davies’ inadvertently exposed a ring of wildlife criminals in which he was involved when he sent “trophy” photographs to be printed.
His request to enlarge 58 pictures of animal cruelty resulted in the printer contacting the Scottish SPCA, which raided the gamekeeper’s home near Glenesk.
They found severely injured dogs, as well as unsecured guns and ammunition.
Davies, 28, now of Llanbedrog in Gwynedd, North Wales, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court earlier this year to admit keeping and training five Patterdale Terriers to fight animals, as well as to failing to seek veterinary treatment for two which had sustained injuries from fighting.
Sheriff’s disgust
Sheriff Reekie told Davies the details he had read were “truly disturbing and distressing”.
He said: “Having reviewed and reflected, the horrific, cruel and senseless nature of the activities is abundantly clear, as is the severe harm.
“The graphic detail is extremely distressing to read.”
The sheriff said he had only viewed black and white photos of the animals’ injuries but that was enough to help inform his decision.
“Any fair-minded member of the public would be appalled.”
— Sheriff Derek Reekie.
He said the messages found on Davies’ phone indicated a “cruel and callous attitude to the offences”.
“In one of your messages, you’re noted as stating you might need to cut bits off.
“That suggests to me more than cleaning of wounds.”
The sheriff said Davies’ training as a gamekeeper was an “aggravating factor” as it meant he understood the illegality and harm.
“You don’t appear to show any real remorse,” he said.
Sheriff Reekie explained his sentence must include punishment, deterrent and reflect society’s disapproval.
“Any fair-minded member of the public would be appalled,” he said.
Trophy pictures
Authorities first became aware of animal fighting on May 30 2019 through the photo developer.
The woman reported “serious concerns” for the welfare of dogs, described as being “severely injured,” in the images Davies wanted printed.
The dogs had facial injuries and a number of men were identifiable, posing and digging into what looked like foxes dens or badger setts.
Other images showed dead foxes.
Davies, who was then a gamekeeper at the 20,000-acre Millden Estate – famed for grouse shooting and fishing – had addressed the photo order to be sent to him at his cottage.
The pictures were sent to the SSPCA, which described them as “trophy-type images” and a vet said the injuries were likely to have been caused by the dogs fighting with badgers and foxes.
Early morning raid
The court heard police raided Turnbrae Cottage on October 8 2019.
As well as the dogs and weapons, they found animal medication, including used syringes and skin staplers.
Davies told police this was for sheep he looked after.
Eleven dogs were found in kennels outside and in an outbuilding.
Some showed signs of fresh, severe wounds and injuries sustained previously, which Davies said were from legitimate ratting and foxing.
They were signed over to the SSPCA.
A collar found inside tested positive for badger DNA.
Former Elmwood College student Davies could provide no explanation for the photographs.
He told officers the blood on the dogs was from foxes because he offered carcasses to them as rewards.
Five of the dogs – Lola, Pip, Socks, Tuck and Bess – were used as fighting animals.
They were either nursing injuries or showing signs of healing.
Ring exposed
Police analysed Davies’ mobile phone and found more photographs of harrowing animal injuries, as well as GPS locations showing where he had been.
Officers also discovered damning conversations with a man named as “T”.
He was later revealed to be Liam Taylor, who was convicted of ill-treating a lurcher in Aberdeenshire.
In May, Davies admitted he kept and trained five dogs for fighting from April 24 2018 to October 8 2019.
He also pled guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to terriers Lola and Tuck.
Pleas of not guilty to failing to seek veterinary help for two other dogs, Pip and Socks, were accepted.
Solicitor Brian Bell said: “There’s certainly a degree of naïvety in respect of the accused.
“Your Lordship is aware he handed in a pen drive for photographs to be enlarged.
“It’s stupidity.”
Davies, who had been a gamekeeper for four years at the time of the raid, also admitted breaching the conditions of a firearms licence by leaving his weaponry unsecured.
Compensation offer
Mr Bell said his client would pay between £1,500 and £2,000 to the SSPCA to cover some costs of the investigation, as well as undertake unpaid work.
He said: “There is no getting away from the shame the accused should face and does face from his actions.”
A lengthy break in proceedings was taken for Sheriff Reekie to check the cost to the SSPCA of its operation, vet bills, keeping the dogs and forensic work.
Fiscal depute Karen Rollo said that after conferring with an SSCPA representative that the charity “would have a preference in relation to deterrence”.
She explained that prior to recent legislation, the Crown paid kennelling fees at a rate of £9 to £10 per dog per day.
Sheriff Reekie ultimately decided because Davies’ actions were not directed towards the SSPCA, a compensation order would not be competent and jailed him for 210 days.
He was also fined £1,800 for firearms breaches.
The firearms fine must be paid in four weeks or a further 45 days will be added to the prison sentence.
Estate ‘shocked’
A spokesman for Millden Estate previously spoke of his shock over Davies’ activities and confirmed he was immediately suspended and resigned within days.
He said: “The estate does not condone or tolerate any illegal activity relating to the welfare of animals or wildlife.
“At no stage was the estate itself the focus of the investigation.”
More details on the SSPCA raid and the crimes uncovered can be read here.
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