FARNBOROUGH DOG BREEDER MAGGIE PEACOCK SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AND ATTACKS

Margaret (Maggie) Ann Mary Peacock, a well-known dog breeder from Farnborough, has been at the center of two serious criminal cases involving animal cruelty and dangerous dog behavior. Born on January 26, 1953, Peacock’s address is listed as Cove Road, Farnborough GU14 0HQ. Her first conviction in 2017 involved the tragic killing of eight newborn puppies, an incident that shocked the local community and animal welfare organizations alike.

Peacock, who had previously achieved recognition as a Crufts-winning dog breeder and served as a director of Maggie Peacock Working Dogs Limited, committed a heinous act by stuffing the eight newborn blue merle border collie puppies into a freezer. She also beat another puppy to death using a tin opener. Her actions were driven by her concern that the puppies might have inherited genetic mutations, as their parents were siblings. This belief led her to take drastic measures to eliminate what she perceived as defective offspring.

In her desperation, Peacock made two threatening phone calls to veterinary clinics, warning that she would kill the puppies herself if they refused to euthanize them. During a third call, she informed the receptionist that the puppies had been placed in the freezer because the vets had refused to put them down. The following day, Peacock arrived at a veterinary surgery with a bag containing the eight puppies. One of the puppies was still alive at that point but had to be euthanized afterward. Prosecutor Andrew Austin emphasized during the court proceedings that none of the puppies showed any signs of genetic defects, despite their inbreeding, which was the reason the vets had refused to euthanize them.

Further investigation by RSPCA officers revealed disturbing evidence at Peacock’s residence. They discovered a ninth puppy, also part of the same litter, lying on its side in a kennel. An examination of this puppy revealed it had suffered a blow to the head, which was later confirmed to be inflicted with a tin opener. The officers’ inspection painted a grim picture of neglect and cruelty.

During the court hearing, Fiona Taylor, representing Peacock, argued that her client was distressed during the birth of the puppies. She claimed that Peacock believed her only option was to take matters into her own hands after the vet refused to euthanize the puppies, fearing that the mother dog would become emotionally attached to her offspring. Despite her previous good record of animal care, magistrate Dr. Susan Dadlani stated that Peacock’s actions warranted serious consequences but did not disqualify her from keeping animals in the future. As a result, the Kennel Club removed her from its pedigree dog register for ten years.

Peacock was sentenced to two concurrent 12-week jail terms, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay a fine of £830. The RSPCA expressed satisfaction with the conviction, noting the case’s distressing nature and the importance of holding offenders accountable.

In a separate incident in February 2023, Peacock faced further legal action after a dog attack involving her Belgian Malinois named Mako. She was convicted by a jury at Salisbury Crown Court of failing to control her dog, which had mauled a visitor, Natasha Turner, causing significant injuries and distress. Judge Richard Parkes KC sentenced her to two years and six months in prison and banned her from owning dogs. The judge criticized her apparent lack of remorse, despite her claims that the victim had been attacked by a stray dog before arriving at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire.

Additionally, police seized her two collie dogs and another Belgian Malinois, which was in the same herding group as a German shepherd. An animal behavior expert, Dr. Candy d’Sa, described Peacock’s living environment as entirely unsuitable for keeping active and intelligent dogs, citing it as dangerous, barren, and filthy. The incident occurred when Natasha Turner visited Peacock’s home to do some DIY and check on her own dog, Bobo. During the visit, Mako attacked Turner, who was attempting to move her bed closer to a woodburner due to the cold. Turner was bitten and injured, and Peacock later asked her not to contact the police, offering gifts in an attempt to prevent her from reporting the attack. Peacock denied that Mako was responsible, claiming Turner had been attacked elsewhere by a stray dog.

These cases highlight a troubling pattern of neglect and dangerous behavior associated with Margaret Peacock, whose actions have led to significant legal consequences and ongoing concerns about animal welfare and public safety in Farnborough.