LUCAS SLIM-FITZPATRICK'S BRUTAL CRUELTY IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE AND PLYMOUTH REVEALED

Lucas Slim-Fitzpatrick, born on November 6, 1996, and most recently residing on Regent Street in Weston-super-Mare, has been convicted of severe animal cruelty involving a young bull-breed puppy named Luna. Although his current address is in Weston-super-Mare, he has established links to Plymouth, Saltash, Taunton, and Wolverhampton, which are relevant to the investigation and his history of neglect.

In a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates, Slim-Fitzpatrick was prosecuted by the RSPCA for a series of brutal assaults and neglectful acts committed against Luna, who was only ten months old at the time. The abuse took place between June 1 and December 1, 2022, primarily in Plymouth, where the dog endured a relentless campaign of violence and mistreatment. The court heard that Slim-Fitzpatrick inflicted injuries on Luna through repeated acts of blunt force trauma, physical violence, and other injuries that were clearly non-accidental in nature.

During the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on December 7, 2023, Slim-Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The court was presented with evidence that Luna suffered multiple fractures and injuries during her time with the defendant, who showed a disturbing pattern of cruelty. The veterinarian who examined Luna confirmed that she had sustained blunt force trauma in at least three separate incidents, indicating ongoing abuse rather than accidental injury.

Footage from a doorbell camera taken on November 30, 2022, was shown to the court, capturing Slim-Fitzpatrick riding his electric scooter in Mutley, Plymouth, while holding onto Luna’s lead. The footage depicted the dog attempting to follow him, highlighting her distress and the neglect she endured. A witness who contacted the police shortly after observed Slim-Fitzpatrick staggering on his scooter, speaking aggressively to Luna before violently throwing her six feet towards a wall. This witness’s account was corroborated by the RSPCA, which stated that the incident was part of a pattern of violent behavior.

Further details emerged during police interviews conducted in December 2022. Slim-Fitzpatrick claimed that Luna’s injuries—such as a broken left hip and pelvis, fractured jaw, cheekbone, wrists, three broken ribs, three broken teeth, and a bloodshot eye—were caused by her being hit by a car and kicked by a horse. He also alleged that her bloodshot eye resulted from an attack by a Jack Russell dog. However, veterinary experts dismissed these claims, with prosecutor Gregory Gordon explaining that the injuries Luna sustained were inconsistent with accidental trauma. Radiographs showed fractures at different stages of healing, indicating multiple incidents over time, including on June 29 and August 2, 2022.

Despite being in contact with veterinary professionals on those dates, Slim-Fitzpatrick refused to follow through with recommended surgeries for Luna’s wrist fractures, citing financial constraints. Instead, he improvised with a pencil and sock as a splint and failed to attend follow-up appointments, neglecting her medical needs. When RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albison attempted to interview him in March and July of the following year, he claimed to be staying with a friend in Birmingham and refused cooperation, asserting that he believed he had already given permission for Luna’s rehoming.

The court was told that Slim-Fitzpatrick’s background included a troubled upbringing and time spent in the care system, which may have contributed to his behavior. Nonetheless, the judge emphasized the prolonged nature of the cruelty, stating, “This was prolonged, lengthy violence towards an animal in your care who should have been protected by you rather than becoming your punchbag.”

Following Luna’s rescue, she was placed into the care of the RSPCA on July 5, 2023. The charity reported that she had made a remarkable recovery after undergoing surgery and extensive rehabilitation to restore her mobility. She was eventually rehomed, and her story now serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the devastating consequences of neglect and abuse.

Inspector Albison, speaking after the sentencing, expressed her relief that Luna had survived her ordeal. She stated, “The assaults carried out by this defendant on this poor dog started when she was a 10-week-old puppy and continued until she was 10 months old. It was absolutely horrific as she was repeatedly beaten and suffered many fractures. Luna had surgery on her femoral head, which saved her back leg, as the alternative was amputation. She is now doing very well, and we are grateful to the member of the public who provided the Ring Doorbell footage, which was crucial in securing the prosecution.”

In sentencing, Slim-Fitzpatrick received a total of 14 months in prison, with each of the three animal cruelty offences running concurrently. An additional five-month sentence was added for breaching a previously imposed suspended sentence related to an unrelated matter, to be served consecutively. He was also banned from owning animals for 20 years, a measure intended to prevent further cruelty.

This case underscores the ongoing battle against animal cruelty and highlights the importance of vigilance and community involvement in protecting vulnerable animals from abuse.