PET SITTER AND PARTNER JAILED FOR SHOCKING DOG ABUSE IN SOLIHULL
A Solihull pet sitter and her partner have been sentenced after shocking videos emerged of them dragging, kicking, hitting and screaming at dogs they were being paid to care for.Williams, 26, of Kenilworth Road, billed a family £1,400 to take care of their three dogs, two cats, and two birds while the owners were on a four-week holiday in July and August 2024.
Her partner, Bradley Regan Archer, 27, joined her at the family’s home in Balsall Common to help 'take care' of the animals - but what followed was weeks of animal abuse.
When the family returned from holiday they watched footage, captured on kitchen and garden cameras, revealing the abuse.
The family submitted 51 videos of evidence to the RSPCA, which launched an investigation.
All attacks involved their 13-month-old dog, Ayrton, and a three-year-old dog, Frieda, both German Shorthaired Pointers.
They did not relate to the third dog, the cats, or the birds.
Williams pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the two dogs under section nine of the Animal Welfare Act.
Magistrates sentenced her to a 12-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work, £350 costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.
Archer, who had stayed at the property throughout the four weeks, pleaded not guilty but changed his plea on the day.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work, £750 costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.
Both were banned from keeping all animals for seven years.
RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones led the investigation, stating: "It’s a big decision to leave your pets in someone else's care, and in this case, the family trusted Williams and Archer.
Sadly, they betrayed that trust, subjecting Ayrton and Frieda to four weeks of abuse.
It’s even more shocking because they were aware of the cameras and even spoke directly to the owners through them.
Ayrton was handled very inappropriately; he was locked in a crate, tethered to a tree with water just out of his reach, chased around, threatened with a stick, and whipped with a slip lead.
The court heard Ayrton showed signs of anxiety and stress, which a vet said would be caused by such treatment.
Williams was in early pregnancy at the time and struggled with hormonal changes, according to mitigation.
The family had used Williams's pet care service previously without concerns, but after returning home they found their pets subdued, anxious, and distressed.
The investigation was conducted on behalf of the RSPCA, and the footage revealed clear animal cruelty, with the dogs subjected to shouting, swearing, dragging, holding off the ground, and pushing through doorways and to the floor.
