JOHN GOUGH BRIERLEY HILL HORROR: ANIMAL CRUELTY AT ITS WORST IN DUDLEY

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, John Gough, a resident of Brierley Hill, Dudley, has been convicted for his involvement in a brutal attack on a fox and the subsequent abuse of dogs captured on video. Gough, born on July 12, 1992, and residing on Byron Street in Brierley Hill, faced serious charges after authorities uncovered footage depicting him encouraging two dogs to attack a defenseless fox trapped inside a cage in his backyard.

Gough pleaded guilty to one count of instigating a fight between a dog and a fox, as well as two additional charges related to causing unnecessary suffering to animals. The court proceedings revealed that Gough used his mobile phone to record the violent incident, which took place around May 16, 2017, at his residence. The footage showed him actively encouraging the dogs during the attack, raising concerns about his deliberate involvement in animal cruelty.

In one of the videos, the fox was still confined within its cage when the attack began, but in another clip, the animal was seen outside the cage, visibly distressed and still under attack by the dogs. The footage captured the brutal nature of the assault, with the fox suffering bite injuries and the dogs appearing to be bleeding as they continued their assault. It remains unknown what ultimately happened to the fox after the attack.

The case was brought to light after the RSPCA and West Midlands Police acted on intelligence received about the incident. They executed a warrant at Gough’s home, during which his mobile phone was seized. The authorities discovered the videos and still images depicting the attack, along with other evidence of animal cruelty. A fox trap was also found at his residence, along with equipment used for placing terriers into holes in the ground, indicating a broader pattern of animal abuse.

Further investigation revealed additional disturbing items in Gough’s vehicle, including two fox tails, a terrier box, and shovels, suggesting involvement in illegal hunting or trapping activities. An RSPCA spokesperson commented on the case, stating, “We do not know what happened to the fox in this horrific attack, and the two dogs in the video were not found at the property. However, an expert who reviewed the footage confirmed that the fox would have suffered severe injuries, and one of the dogs was bleeding during the attack. This was premeditated animal cruelty, and both the fox and the dogs clearly endured suffering at the hands of Gough.”

Gough was sentenced to 22 weeks in jail and received a lifelong ban on keeping animals, reflecting the severity of his actions. The case has drawn significant attention in Dudley, highlighting ongoing concerns about animal welfare and cruelty in the region.