MARGARET AND GARY MAZAN BRUTAL DOG ABUSE IN BRADFORD REVEALED
In a disturbing case that shocked animal welfare advocates, Margaret and Gary Mazan, a couple from Bradford, West Yorkshire, were found guilty of severe animal cruelty involving their collection of 14 Red Setters.The incident came to light on January 15, 2014, when the RSPCA, in collaboration with local police, executed a raid on their property following concerns raised by a Bradford Council dog warden.
During the operation, inspectors uncovered appalling conditions in which the dogs were kept.
Some of the animals were confined in filthy cages within a shed, while others were crammed into small cages inside the couple’s kitchen.
The scene was described as among the worst seen by the RSPCA inspector Emma Ellis, who vividly recounted the experience.
She stated, “The smell in that shed is one that I will never forget and when I look at the photos now the smell comes straight back to me.
When the shed was opened, the smell literally knocked you over, you had to back off.” Inspector Ellis further detailed the deplorable state of the dogs, noting that they were unable to move freely, their fur matted and caked with faeces.
Many of the animals had injuries to their tails, which appeared to have been crushed against the cages.
She emphasized that the conditions were wholly unacceptable, describing them as the worst she had encountered in her career.
As the inspectors attempted to open a gate, the dogs, desperate to escape, jumped and pressed their heads through the bars in an effort to get out.
Once removed from their confinement, the dogs showed signs of dehydration and distress.
They were observed dragging themselves towards a white container in the garden, which contained a small amount of water.
All the dogs eagerly drank from it, licking it dry in their desperation.
Further disturbing discoveries included a setter found in the kitchen, confined in a cage so small that it could not stand upright, with no food or water available.
Another dog was located in the bathroom, where faeces were visible on the floor.
The veterinary assessments revealed that all the dogs required urgent treatment for dehydration, injuries, eye conditions, and the need for grooming to remove matted fur.
Many had injuries to their tails, some inflicted by the conditions they endured.
Following the investigation, Margaret and Gary Mazan faced legal consequences.
In April 2015, they were sentenced by magistrates to six months in jail and received a lifelong ban from keeping animals due to their animal welfare offences.
Their sentence was later reduced to four months on appeal.
The couple challenged the verdict by taking their case to the High Court, but in February 2016, their appeals were dismissed.
Judge Robert Bartfield, presiding over the case in late March 2016, confirmed the original sentences, stating he “totally accepted” the evidence presented by the RSPCA and police.
The court proceedings also revealed that the costs incurred for veterinary care and boarding for the rescued dogs exceeded £45,000.
An attempt to recover £4,976 in legal costs from the Mazans was refused, as they claimed to have no savings—Margaret Mazan stated she had only £45 in her bank account at the time.
As part of the sentencing, the couple was ordered to serve four months in prison and was permanently banned from owning or caring for any animals.
The case drew significant media attention, with outlets such as the Telegraph and Argus covering the story extensively.
In an update from March 2020, it was reported by Cyprus Animal Defenders (CALF) that Margaret and Gary Mazan had divorced.
Margaret Mazan now resides in Peyia, Paphos, Cyprus, where she was employed as a chef at a restaurant called Coral Bay.
However, she was dismissed after the restaurant’s English owners learned of her past as a convicted dog abuser.
There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting that Margaret may have found work as a dog groomer for a charity called Animal Rescue Cyprus, registered under Reg.No.4420, raising questions about her ongoing involvement with animals despite her criminal record.
