JADE O’BRIEN FROM CHEADLE HULME SENTENCED AFTER CRUEL EAR CROPPING AND DOG ATTACKS IN STOCKPORT

Jade O’Brien, a resident of Ack Lane in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog through illegal ear cropping procedures and subsequent neglect. The case highlights serious concerns about animal welfare and illegal practices involving dog modification in the UK.

O’Brien’s six-month-old XL bully-type dog, named Babyface, was discovered with infected stitch wounds from an ear cropping procedure, which is illegal in the United Kingdom. The incident came to light after the RSPCA became involved in an investigation that initially focused on two dogs seized by police under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Inspector Beth Fazakerley visited a veterinary clinic in Accrington, Lancashire, on September 1, 2021, to examine the seized animals. During her inspection, she observed Babyface with prominent scars from recent ear cropping, and a staff member confirmed that the dog had arrived at the kennels just two weeks prior, suffering from open wounds on both ears.

In her statement, Inspector Fazakerley described the injuries: “You could clearly see multiple horizontal scars and I was told that when she was seized she still had sutures that were cutting into her skin due to how inflamed and infected her ears were.” O’Brien admitted to the inspector that the procedure had been performed abroad, specifically in the United States, and that she had purchased Babyface with her ears already cropped. She explained that she liked the cropped-eared look on dogs and had bought Babyface from America, where she regularly sourced her dogs.

When questioned about veterinary treatment, O’Brien revealed she had not taken the dog to a vet for proper care. Instead, she had asked her gardener, who breeds dogs, for help and was given some antibiotics. She claimed to have administered only one dose before the dog was seized. After the seizure, Babyface was taken to a veterinary clinic where her stitches were removed, and she received painkillers and antibiotics. An expert veterinarian assessed her wounds, noting that they appeared less than a week old but were severely infected, with pus-like discharge. The vet concluded that Babyface had been in pain for at least five days without adequate pain relief.

O’Brien pleaded guilty to a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. Another individual involved in the case also admitted to an animal welfare offence, with sentencing scheduled for a later date. The RSPCA has taken custody of Babyface, who is now under the care of their Southport, Ormskirk, and District Branch, which will seek to find her a new, loving home.

In her defense, O’Brien, who has a prior conviction from 2013 for assaulting a lollipop lady, claimed she had been influenced by external factors and cited health issues. Despite her history of violence, her recent conviction underscores ongoing concerns about her suitability as a dog owner.

Inspector Fazakerley emphasized the gravity of illegal ear cropping, stating, “Ear cropping is all about image, and owners who do this or take on dogs that have already been cropped often do not realize the profound impact it has on the animal’s behavior and well-being, not to mention the pain they endure.”

As part of her sentencing, O’Brien received an 18-month community order with 30 days of rehabilitation activities, a fine of £495 including costs and victim surcharge, and deprivation orders for Babyface and another bully breed dog. Additionally, she was banned from owning any dogs for three years, a restriction that will last until March 2026.

In a related and more recent development, O’Brien was sentenced to four months in prison after her involvement with an XL Bully named Narla, which was responsible for two violent attacks within a two-week span. Narla, under O’Brien’s care, attacked and killed another dog and injured a dog owner, leading to serious injuries and the death of the white dog. The attacks occurred while O’Brien was looking after Narla for her ex-partner, who was in custody for alleged assault.

The first incident involved a woman walking her spaniel with her children in July 2021. She noticed Narla running down O’Brien’s driveway and, fearing an attack, tried to protect her dog. However, Narla turned on her, biting her arms and legs, leaving scars that persisted for months. The second attack involved a small white dog, which was badly bitten and had to be euthanized after the incident. The teenage girl walking the dog fled in fear, witnessing her pet’s severe injuries.

O’Brien pleaded guilty to charges of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog and using threatening or abusive language. Her defense argued that her ex-partner owned Narla and that she had suffered a stroke and domestic abuse, which affected her ability to care for the dog properly. Despite these circumstances, the court, presided over by District Judge Thomas Mitchell, sentenced her to four months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of her actions.

O’Brien was also banned from owning any dogs for five years, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154, and a destruction order was issued for Narla, the XL Bully involved in the attacks. The case underscores the dangers posed by illegal dog modifications and irresponsible ownership, prompting ongoing calls for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in the Stockport area and beyond.