ANDREW GOUGH FROM LISWERRY INVOLVED IN HORRIFIC GREYHOUND CRUELTY NEAR MERTHYR TYDFIL

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Andrew Gough, a resident of Liswerry, was involved in a heinous act against a former racing greyhound named Rusty. The incident took place in December 2004 and shocked the local community with its brutality.

Andrew Gough, born on May 3, 1976, and previously residing on Tiryberth Street in Tiryberth near Caerphilly, had by late 2019 moved to Lloyd Street in Newport with the postal code NP19 0JN. However, his earlier connection to Liswerry and the surrounding areas remains notable in the context of this case.

According to reports, Gough was paid a sum of ten pounds by John Hurley and Mark Emmett, who were the owner and trainer respectively of Rusty, a greyhound that had sustained injuries. The cruel act involved Gough using a captive bolt pistol to shoot Rusty in the skull. The weapon inflicted a severe wound, creating a large hole, but astonishingly, it did not result in the immediate death of the dog.

In an attempt to conceal Rusty's identity, Gough went further by cutting off the greyhound’s ears. The mutilated and injured dog was then abandoned alive on a footpath near Fochriw Mountain, close to Merthyr Tydfil. The suffering of Rusty did not go unnoticed for long, as a woman out walking her dog heard faint whimpering coming from the area. Upon investigation, she discovered Rusty, who despite his grievous injuries, managed to wag his tail in a sign of recognition and hope.

Rusty was promptly taken to a veterinary clinic, but due to the extent of his injuries and distress, the decision was made to euthanize him immediately. The dog’s distinctive white blaze on his chest helped identify him, leading to community efforts to trace his origins and owners.

The cruelty inflicted upon Rusty drew widespread condemnation. In December 2004, Andrew Gough was convicted of animal cruelty charges and sentenced to six months in jail. Additionally, he was permanently banned from owning or keeping animals, a measure aimed at preventing any future abuse.

Interestingly, the original owner and trainer of Rusty, John Hurley and Mark Emmett, did not face any legal charges despite having signed the dog’s death warrant. Under Welsh law at the time, it was not illegal for a person to arrange for their own dog to be shot, which complicated the legal proceedings against those involved.

This case remains a stark reminder of the cruelty that can be inflicted on animals and the importance of animal welfare laws. The community continues to remember Rusty’s tragic story as a call for greater protection and accountability for vulnerable animals.