JODIE AND PAUL FAIRBROTHER CONVICTED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN SOUTH KILLINGHOLME AND IMMMINGHAM

Jodie Annabel Fairbrother, born on September 30, 1978, and her husband Paul Jack Fairbrother, born on July 10, 1969, have been found guilty of multiple charges related to animal cruelty. The couple, formerly residing in Immingham, Lincolnshire, are now reported to be living in Nar Fokak, Cyprus, with their daughter Libby-Jo Fairbrother, who was also initially charged in connection with the case.

Jodie Fairbrother was the operator of the 4Paws boarding kennels and veterinary clinic located in South Killingholme, North Lincolnshire. She managed the facility for a period of three years, during which she was responsible for the care and welfare of numerous animals. Her husband, Paul Fairbrother, was involved in maintenance work at the same establishment. The last known UK address for Jodie was Aberdovey Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, with the postal code TS16 9EZ.

Both individuals faced serious allegations after the RSPCA conducted one of its most extensive raids at 4Paws in March 2018. The operation resulted in the rescue of 144 dogs and 16 cats from deplorable conditions. Over the course of the day, more than 60 staff members from various agencies worked tirelessly to remove a total of 160 animals from the premises. The raid uncovered a facility that had been operating without a valid license for its boarding kennels and veterinary services, which had expired some time prior.

The conditions in which the animals were kept were described as 'abhorrent.' Many animals, including dogs, cats, and horses, were found in overcrowded, filthy enclosures with no access to food or water for extended periods—some for as long as 95 hours. Several animals exhibited untreated health issues such as respiratory infections, ear infections, and open wounds. Disturbingly, the body of a deceased dog was discovered at the clinic, later confirmed to have died from distemper, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease.

Among the rescued animals, one dog had been confined in a cage for four days without sustenance before being euthanized by Jodie Fairbrother, who lacked veterinary qualifications. The raid also revealed that three dogs had to be euthanized due to their poor health, and two others tested positive for Brucella canis, a serious infectious disease transmissible to humans. Another dog was found to have distemper. The authorities took custody of the animals, with the RSPCA and Dogs Trust caring for the rescued animals afterward.

Further charges against the Fairbrothers were dropped during an earlier hearing, and all 17 charges initially brought against their daughter, Libby-Jo Fairbrother, were also dismissed. A former volunteer at 4Paws provided a harrowing account of the conditions she witnessed. She described how animals were kept in 'disgusting' conditions, with 10 to 15 dogs crammed into a single kennel, many of whom were sick or injured and left untreated by Jodie Fairbrother. The volunteer recounted that the kennels were never properly cleaned, and animals were often left in their own filth. She also highlighted the frequent arrival of new dogs—around 80 each week—mainly from Romania, which were often left outside the clinic in vans for over a day, howling in distress.

Residents in the area also voiced concerns about the treatment of horses at the facility. They reported that horses were left in fields during hot summer days without access to food or water. Some residents intervened personally to feed the animals, claiming that clinic staff had told them they were 'too busy' to tend to the animals. Several individuals who spoke out about the conditions reported receiving threats, adding to the community's distress.

In sentencing, Jodie Fairbrother was given an 18-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, while Paul Fairbrother received a 12-week jail sentence, also suspended for a year. Both were ordered to pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £115 each. Additionally, they were banned from keeping or trading in animals for five years, with the ban set to expire in September 2024.