BRIAN BUCKTHORPE'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN LINCOLN: FLUSHING RABBITS AND NEGLECTING GUINEA PIGS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Lincoln, Brian Buckthorpe, born around 1956 and residing at 90 Cannon Street, was found guilty of multiple violations under the Animal Welfare Act. The incidents, which took place within the city of Lincoln, highlight a pattern of neglect and cruelty that culminated in a court hearing where Buckthorpe faced serious charges.

It was revealed that Buckthorpe, who was already under a lifetime ban from keeping animals due to an unspecified previous offence, had continued to violate this restriction. His latest offences involved the gross mistreatment of animals, including a guinea pig named Clive and a rabbit called Bright Eyes. The conditions in which these animals were kept were appalling, with Clive confined in a cage so filthy and overcrowded with hardened feces that his head was pressed against the wire top of the enclosure. The guinea pig was suffering from untreated health issues, including a joint problem and a lump near his anus, which ultimately led to his euthanasia.

During the investigation, RSPCA officers gathered evidence at Buckthorpe’s residence. As they arrived, they could hear him repeatedly flushing the toilet, an attempt to conceal his crimes. The officers then discovered Bright Eyes, a rabbit that was soaking wet and appeared to have been subjected to a cruel attempt to be flushed down the toilet. It was evident that Buckthorpe had tried to dispose of the rabbit in this manner, an act that underscores the severity of his neglect and cruelty.

Bright Eyes was rescued and taken to an animal centre where he was given care and eventually rehomed. Despite the trauma inflicted upon him, the rabbit survived the ordeal, which included a disturbing attempt by Buckthorpe to dispose of him by flushing him down the toilet. The court heard that Buckthorpe had struggled with mental health issues, and the judge took this into account when sentencing him.

In sentencing, Buckthorpe received a four-month custodial sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge. His lifetime ban on keeping animals remains in effect, ensuring he cannot legally own animals again. The case drew significant attention from local media outlets such as Lincolnshire Live and The Lincolnite, emphasizing the gravity of the offences committed within the Lincoln area.

Further complicating Buckthorpe’s legal troubles, he was also prosecuted for the theft of a family dog, a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Kelly. The dog was recovered and returned to her owner after a police investigation. Despite already serving a suspended sentence for breaching a disqualification order, Buckthorpe was sentenced to an additional six weeks in prison, also suspended. The Lincoln policing team expressed their frustration with the court’s decision, highlighting ongoing concerns about his behaviour and the community’s safety.