LIAM TALBOT OF WEAVERHAM FACES CHARGES FOR ANIMAL FIGHTS AND BADGER KILLING IN NORTHWICH

Liam Talbot, born in 1996 and residing at 28 Rowan Road, Weaverham, Northwich CW8 3DU, has been convicted of serious animal cruelty offenses involving illegal wildlife fights and the killing of a badger. The case has drawn significant attention from animal welfare organizations and law enforcement agencies due to the disturbing nature of the crimes committed.

Talbot pleaded guilty to multiple charges under the Animal Welfare Act, admitting to orchestrating and participating in dog fights with foxes and badgers. These illegal activities included forcing dogs to engage in deadly combat with wild animals, as well as the unlawful killing of a badger. The prosecution presented images and videos as evidence, which had been obtained through investigations initiated by the Naturewatch Foundation and further shared with the police and RSPCA.

Among the disturbing evidence were compilation videos uploaded by Talbot to TikTok, showcasing scenes of animal cruelty. One such video depicted a person holding a black and white Lurcher-type dog by the collar with his left hand, while holding a fox in his right hand, illuminated by a lamp at his waist. Other clips showed individuals displaying foxes with injuries, including one with a hindquarter wound, alongside dogs. Additional footage revealed three dogs attacking a fox and two dogs attacking a badger, highlighting the brutal nature of these activities.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Wolvesley Place in Winsford on February 22, 2023. During this operation, authorities recovered two dogs belonging to Talbot—Pepper, a nine-year-old female tan bull Lurcher, and Cid, a nine-year-old male black bull Lurcher. Both dogs exhibited scars on their faces and chests, consistent with injuries sustained during fights. These animals were presented as evidence in court, and their condition underscored the cruelty involved.

An expert veterinary surgeon examined videos related to the case and concluded that the dogs had been used for hunting wild mammals. The veterinarian noted that Cid’s injury to his upper left canine tooth was particularly significant, describing the tooth as rotten and suggesting it had been injured at least ten days prior, if not longer. The veterinarian further stated that both Pepper and Cid had been repeatedly placed in situations exposing them to injury from fighting with wild animals such as foxes and badgers, with the scars on their bodies supporting this conclusion.

Talbot admitted to several charges, including causing unnecessary suffering to Cid by neglecting his dental injury, participating in animal fights involving dogs and wild mammals, and taking and killing a badger under the Protection of Badgers Act. The court sentenced him to a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, Talbot received a community order requiring 25 hours of rehabilitation, a six-month mental health treatment program, and was ordered to pay costs of £500 along with a £154 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from owning or keeping any animals for three years, a ban set to expire in January 2027.

Following the conviction, Pepper and Cid were handed over to the RSPCA, which will oversee their rehoming and ensure their welfare moving forward. Chief Inspector Ian Muttit of the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit expressed outrage over the continued existence of illegal badger baiting, which has been outlawed for over 180 years. He condemned the practice of inflicting pain and suffering on animals for entertainment and highlighted the disturbing trend of individuals posting videos of such cruelty on social media platforms. Muttit emphasized the RSPCA’s commitment to fighting wildlife persecution and protecting animals caught in these heinous acts, thanking the Naturewatch Foundation and Cheshire Police for their vital roles in the investigation and prosecution of this case.