JOSHUA ROWLES OF DYFATTY SWANSEA SENTENCED FOR BRUTALITY AGAINST FRENCH BULLDOG PUPPY

Joshua Rowles, a resident of Matthew Street in Dyfatty, Swansea, has been convicted of a severe act of animal cruelty that resulted in the death of a young French bulldog named Hugo. The incident, which took place on the morning of April 29, 2023, has shocked the local community and drawn attention to issues of animal welfare and personal conduct.

According to court reports, Rowles, born on February 19, 1997, lost his temper after Hugo bit him while they were engaging in what was described as 'nuzzling' on his bed. The confrontation quickly escalated when Rowles responded to the bite by punching the puppy. A post-mortem examination later revealed that Hugo had been struck with considerable force, with injuries consistent with punches to the head and ribs.

The prosecution, led by Jon Tarrant, detailed that the incident occurred at Rowles' home, where he awoke to find Hugo on his bed. The dog’s behavior was described as affectionate, but the moment turned violent after Hugo bit Rowles on the lip. In response, Rowles punched the puppy, which led to Hugo’s rapid deterioration. Witnesses observed Hugo starting to pant and showing signs of distress within ten minutes of the altercation.

Following the incident, Rowles contacted his ex-partner, who advised him to take Hugo to the PDSA veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, Hugo had already died by the time they arrived. The vet at the clinic recommended that Rowles contact the RSPCA, which subsequently collected Hugo’s body for further investigation. The remains were sent to Liverpool University for a detailed post-mortem analysis.

During a voluntary interview with the RSPCA, Rowles claimed he had woken up to find Hugo on his chest, and that the dog had bitten his lip during their 'nuzzling.' He admitted to giving the puppy a 'clip' and later told an officer that after Hugo bit him, he carried the dog to his bed and threw him down before punching him on the side of his body. Based on the evidence gathered—including the post-mortem results, veterinary reports, and disclosures made during the interview—it was concluded that Rowles had used considerable force, including punches to the puppy’s head and ribs.

At the court hearing, Rowles pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. It was also revealed that he has a criminal history, including a recent conviction for a public order offence just three days prior to the incident involving Hugo. Rowles is known to have been involved in organized crime activities and is a convicted heroin dealer.

Legal representatives for Rowles, including John Allchurch, explained that Rowles and his ex-partner had previously owned a litter of five puppies, with Hugo being one of the animals he had kept for several months before the tragic event. Allchurch emphasized that Rowles had cooperated fully with the RSPCA investigation and had been honest during his interview. He also noted that Rowles had been open about his struggles with alcohol and was seeking help for his issues.

Judge Catherine Richards addressed the court, condemning the act as a 'brutal offence' against a defenseless animal. She acknowledged that while the typical response might be to imprison Rowles to reflect society’s disapproval, her decision was influenced by his genuine remorse and the steps he had already taken to address his anger and alcohol problems. The judge sentenced Rowles to six months in prison, but with a one-third reduction for his guilty plea. The final sentence was four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, along with requirements for rehabilitation and 90 days of alcohol abstinence monitoring. Additionally, Rowles was banned from owning any animals for the next five years, with the ban set to expire in December 2028.