GERALD HUGHES FROM WAREHAM CAUGHT IN CRUEL COCKFIGHTING AND WILDLIFE TRAP SCANDAL

Gerald John Hughes, a resident of 37 Mistover Road in Wareham, has been found guilty of participating in brutal cockfights and illegally trapping a wild bird. Born around 1972, Hughes is known locally as a gypsy and has a long history of criminal activity, including convictions for vehicle theft, shoplifting, and driving without insurance. His latest conviction stems from a series of investigations conducted by the RSPCA, which uncovered disturbing evidence of animal cruelty in his residence and surrounding areas.

In July 2021, authorities, including police officers and RSPCA inspectors, executed a warrant at Hughes’s property following the circulation of video footage showing a gathering of people around fighting cockerels in a garden setting. The footage depicted a brutal scene where two cockerels were engaged in a violent confrontation, a practice that is both illegal and widely condemned for its cruelty.

During the investigation, officers discovered a number of birds kept within an aviary on Hughes’s property. Among these was a small brown bird identified as a Linnet, a species known to be wild. Experts suspected that this bird had been captured from its natural habitat and was being kept in captivity, which is illegal under wildlife protection laws. The Linnet was examined by a veterinarian specializing in avian health, who reported severe injuries. The bird’s feathers on both wings were in poor condition, and its tail was badly damaged, with only a single feather remaining. Additionally, the bird exhibited injuries to its jaw and had lost feathers around its beak, indicating the extent of its suffering.

Retired RSPCA Inspector Mike Butcher, who dedicated over four decades to animal welfare, commented on the severity of cockfighting. He explained that such fights often result in serious injuries or death, as the birds are intentionally inflicted with harm using their beaks, wings, and especially their natural spurs, which are sharp and deadly. He emphasized that cockerels are inherently aggressive and do not require much provocation to attack each other, regardless of the setting.

Hughes pleaded guilty to charges of being present at an animal fight and possessing a live wild bird. The court heard that his actions contributed to the ongoing cycle of cruelty associated with illegal cockfighting rings and wildlife trapping.

Inspector Miranda Albinson, who was involved in the investigation, condemned the practice, stating, “Cockfighting is an abhorrent and cruel practice which was outlawed almost 200 years ago. During fights, cockerels are placed into a pit where they face off, cheered on by a jeering crowd. To take enjoyment from watching two birds inflict such horrendous – and often life-threatening – injuries on each other is something that should be well and truly confined to the history books.”

In sentencing, Hughes received a two-year conditional discharge, along with costs and charges totaling £222. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping birds for ten years, although he has the right to appeal this decision after five years. The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal animal fighting and wildlife crimes in the Wareham area and underscores the efforts of authorities to combat such cruelty.