LIFETIME DOG BAN FOR MAN WHO POSTED ANIMAL FIGHT VIDEOS ON TIKTOK
A man who uploaded videos on social media that depicted the violent suffering of wild animals has received a lifelong ban on owning dogs.Billy Scarah, aged 28, recorded footage of dogs engaging in fights with badgers and foxes, subsequently sharing these videos on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok.
The animal welfare organization Naturewatch Foundation alerted the RSPCA about this activity.
An investigation was conducted, which revealed a bull lurcher named Buddy with significant injuries to its nose, injuries believed to have been inflicted by a badger.
RSPCA officer Jason Bowles said: “I could see that he had a large part of his nose missing and the wound looked to be healed.
“He also had extensive scarring from wounds that looked to be healed on his head and legs.
The tip of his tail was injured and bleeding.” Scarah, of Feldane, Hull, admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and one of interfering with a badger sett when he appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court.
He was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence and banned for life from keeping dogs.
He was also ordered to pay £600 costs and a £187 victim surcharge and to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.
RSPCA Ch Insp Ian Muttitt said: “Watching these videos glorifying and glamorising the brutal suffering of wild animals - and the dogs used to hunt them - is shocking.
Sadly, this is something that can easily be found on many of the social media platforms today.
“But we’re proud to work closely with the police and other agencies, such as Naturewatch Foundation, to investigate these videos and bring the people to justice who are causing unnecessary suffering to animals, all in the name of TikTok views and Facebook likes.” Sgt Kevin Jones, of Humberside Police, said: “The persecution of badgers is a UK wildlife crime priority and a priority for the Humberside Police Rural Task Force.
Not only does it involve barbaric acts of cruelty against badgers, but it also causes horrific injuries to the dogs involved." Buddy was taken into RSPCA care before being rehomed.
