NORTH YORKSHIRE ANIMAL CRUELTY: MARCUS CROSBY, THOMAS TYERS, LIAM PARKINSON, AND BROGAN SMITHSON BANNED

In a significant crackdown on animal cruelty within North Yorkshire, four individuals—Marcus Crosby, Thomas Tyers, Liam Parkinson, and Brogan Smithson—have been formally prohibited from owning or keeping dogs following a detailed police investigation that uncovered their involvement in a disturbing act of animal abuse. The court proceedings revealed that these individuals were responsible for encouraging a pit bull terrier to attack a badger, which was described as squealing in distress during the attack, ultimately leading to the animal’s death.

According to court records, the incident took place on the night of May 12, 2023, in a remote rural area near the North York Moors. The group traveled to this secluded location in a Jeep Cherokee, with the apparent intent of carrying out their illegal activity. Witnesses reported hearing distressing noises, which prompted members of the public to alert the police. When authorities arrived at the scene, they found the group hiding under bushes, where the badger was being attacked. The police confirmed that the badger was savaged to death by the dog, which was later confiscated as evidence.

The court emphasized the potential broader ecological impact of this act, noting that the death of the badger could have affected other badgers in the vicinity, especially if there were cubs or younger badgers nearby. The judge, Adrian Lower, stated, “The badger's death would have impacted the lives of other badgers in the area,” highlighting the seriousness of the crime beyond the immediate cruelty.

All four defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to animal ill-treatment and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected species. As part of their penalties, they were disqualified from owning or keeping dogs for a period of five years. Additionally, they were banned from returning to North Yorkshire for 12 months and disqualified from driving for the same duration. The court also imposed a community order lasting 12 months. Crosby, Tyers, and Parkinson were each ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service, while 17-year-old Smithson received a £200 fine. The court acknowledged that the badger’s death could have had a ripple effect, potentially impacting cubs or other young badgers in the area.

The incident was uncovered when police responded to reports from concerned members of the public who heard the distressing noises. Upon investigation, officers located the group under the bushes, where the attack was taking place. The defendants claimed they had traveled to North Yorkshire in search of rabbits, but the court found this explanation “difficult to believe,” given the circumstances of the attack.

It was also revealed that not all owners of the dogs involved were present at the court hearing. Liam Parkinson was identified as the owner of the lurcher, but the owner of the pit bull terrier was not among the defendants. The court heard that Brogan Smithson, who was only 17 at the time, has mental health issues, which may have influenced his level of involvement in the incident. Following the police intervention, both dogs involved in the attack were confiscated, and the group dispersed when authorities arrived at the scene, ending their illegal activity.