AMY BYRNE AND HARRY ANGELL'S BEXLEYHEATH KITTEN SCAM: HORRIFIC ANIMAL WELFARE ABUSE EXPOSED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bexleyheath, disgraced former police officer Amy Byrne, born November 1992, and her partner Harry Angell, born circa 1991, have been found guilty of running a large-scale scam involving the sale of sick and dying kittens. The couple’s residence on Downbank Avenue in Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, became the focus of a police and RSPCA raid following numerous complaints from distressed customers and concerned members of the public.

Authorities responded to a series of allegations dating back to 2015, accusing Byrne and Angell of breeding and selling kittens under false pretenses. The couple’s operation was characterized by deception, with claims of legitimate rehoming services that were ultimately revealed to be fraudulent. During the raid on August 26, 2021, officers discovered a total of 17 kittens on the premises. Tragically, one of these kittens died shortly after being rescued, highlighting the severity of the neglect and poor conditions in which the animals were kept.

Investigations uncovered that many of the kittens were in a dire state—malnourished, suffering from illness, and often covered in their own urine and feces. Several of these animals were housed in outdoor hutches in the garden of the property, with some living in cramped, unsanitary conditions. The couple’s fraudulent activities extended beyond poor animal welfare; they also engaged in elaborate deception to attract buyers. Byrne and Angell used at least 33 different aliases in their advertisements, including falsely claiming to be from a genuine charity called Cat Cuddles Rehoming. In some instances, they used the identity of previous buyers to promote additional kittens, further complicating their scam.

Byrne falsely claimed to customers that she was a veterinarian, asserting that the kittens had been wormed and microchipped. However, the health certificates she provided were later proven to be fake. One heartbreaking case involved a mother who purchased a male kitten as a surprise for her autistic son, only to discover that the kitten was female, emaciated, and suffering from diarrhea. Despite her efforts to care for the animal, the kitten’s health rapidly deteriorated, and it died shortly after. The family’s grief was compounded by the couple’s apparent disregard for their suffering, as they often ignored follow-up contact from distressed owners.

Prosecutor Hazel Stevens detailed the extent of the deception, revealing that the couple’s scam had generated an estimated profit of approximately £278,870. The couple’s criminal activities also included buying kittens cheaply, administering flea treatments, and then reselling them at significantly higher prices. Angell boasted about purchasing two kittens for £75 and selling them for £600 each within a week, illustrating their profit-driven motives.

During the police search, Byrne and Angell attempted to destroy evidence. Angell was seen throwing his mobile phone out of a window and hiding it in the front garden, while Byrne performed a factory reset on her device to erase incriminating data. Despite their efforts, police recovered Angell’s phone, which contained hundreds of images of kittens, advertisements, and complaints from unhappy customers. The messages also revealed that the couple was actively seeking out cheap kittens online, giving them flea treatments, and then reselling the animals for profit.

In interviews, Angell admitted that the seized kittens had not been examined by a veterinarian, citing his personal opposition to veterinary practices. Byrne acknowledged that they bred and sold cats but insisted they were not making a profit. It was also revealed that Byrne was a former British Transport Police officer, but her career was marred by a misconduct investigation related to serious drug offenses. Evidence found at her address included a hydroponics tent, cannabis plants, and drug paraphernalia, which ultimately led to her dismissal in January 2023.

Both Byrne and Angell faced justice in court. Angell received a sentence of three years and four months in prison, while Byrne was sentenced to three years and eight months. The court also imposed an indefinite ban on them owning pets, with a minimum disqualification period of ten years. The severity of their crimes and the ongoing suffering of the animals and victims prompted widespread condemnation.

In a subsequent development in July 2024, appeal judges reduced Byrne’s sentence to two years and eight months. The decision was made to prevent her baby son from being placed into foster care, as he was living with her in a mother-baby unit within the prison. Lord Justice James Dingemans explained that unless the sentence was shortened, the separation from her child would be inevitable, and the child would be placed in foster care after September 7, 2024. The judges emphasized that the reduction was in the best interests of the child, balancing justice with familial considerations.