KIM RENDALL'S CRUELTY IN HIGH LITTLETON: DOG DRAGGED BEHIND CAR AND LEFT TO SUFFER

Kim Rendall, a farmer residing at 23 Southover Road, High Littleton, Bristol BS39 6HR, was convicted in 2023 of a heinous act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike. The incident involved Rendall dragging his nine-year-old white husky, named Daisy, behind his vehicle for over 300 metres along a public road, an act that resulted in severe injuries and a tragic end for the dog.

According to court proceedings and evidence presented, Rendall admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Daisy after she was found to be in a state of extreme distress. The incident was captured on dashcam footage, which vividly showed the terrified dog in a state of panic, bouncing along the road while desperately trying to stay upright. The footage also revealed that Rendall appeared oblivious to Daisy’s agonized howls and cries for help as she was being dragged behind his car, a red Nissan Micra.

Witnesses and motorists who observed the scene reported that drivers honked their horns and flashed their lights in an attempt to alert Rendall to the distress of the dog. One woman, who was accompanied by her own dogs, managed to flag down the vehicle after hearing a motorist shout “dog, dog” out of a window. At that moment, Rendall stopped his car, and a distressing scene unfolded as Daisy hemorrhaged blood onto the road and struggled to stand. A local woman offered to take Daisy to the vet for urgent care, but Rendall responded with a smirk and a dismissive laugh, stating, “I’ll do what I want, it’s my dog.”

When police arrived to check on Daisy’s welfare, they found Rendall calmly having a cup of tea and getting his hair cut by his sister. Despite repeated questions from officers about the whereabouts of the injured dog, Rendall refused to provide any information. Bodycam footage captured an officer repeatedly asking, “Where is that dog?” but Rendall responded with hostility, saying, “I don’t like this at all. I don’t like this at f**king all.”

Rendall’s trainers were found soaked in blood, and he was described as rude and aggressive during the booking process at the police station. His refusal to disclose Daisy’s location persisted throughout the interrogation. Meanwhile, a dedicated police operation involving 18 officers and a drone unit was launched to locate Daisy and ensure she received the urgent veterinary care she desperately needed.

After a search lasting approximately two and a half hours in the Somerset countryside, Daisy was found in a cow barn on Gossard Lane, High Littleton. She was immediately transported to Rosemary Lodge Veterinary Hospital in Bath under police escort with blue lights and sirens. Veterinarians at the facility confirmed that Daisy had sustained complex and traumatic injuries, including full-thickness skin loss on both hind legs and an open fracture of one foot. Despite their efforts to treat her, her pain was uncontrollable, and she was euthanized nine days later.

Throughout the investigation, Rendall continued to refuse to reveal where he had hidden Daisy, even when questioned at the police station. He admitted to failing to protect her from pain, injury, and suffering, and to neglecting the urgent veterinary treatment she required. The RSPCA brought the prosecution, emphasizing the severity of the cruelty inflicted upon Daisy, which belonged to Rendall’s son.

During the court hearing, graphic videos and photographs of Daisy’s injuries were shown, causing distress among witnesses and court attendees. Some individuals could not bear to watch the footage due to its graphic nature. A victim impact statement read aloud described the lasting trauma caused by the incident, with one witness stating they had “never seen an animal with such serious injuries” and had suffered nightmares since.

PC Natalie Cosgrove, the animal welfare officer for Avon and Somerset Police, was present at the vet when Daisy was brought in. She testified that in her 15 years of policing, she had never seen anything as horrific, describing the injuries as “the worst thing I have ever seen.” She recounted feeling physically sick and emotional, even crying in sympathy for Daisy. She also noted Rendall’s lack of remorse, observing that he appeared almost smirking during his police interview.

Magistrates expressed grave concern over Rendall’s prioritization of personal grooming and leisure over the urgent medical needs of his suffering dog. The court heard that Rendall’s actions demonstrated a “deliberate disregard for Daisy’s welfare,” with the court condemning his decision to focus on a haircut and a cup of tea instead of seeking immediate veterinary help.

Sentencing included an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 300 hours of unpaid community service, a fine of £5,000, and a 20-year ban on keeping animals, excluding cattle and koi fish. The case drew widespread media attention, highlighting the importance of animal cruelty laws and the need for swift justice in such cases.