RHYS DAVIES SENTENCED IN LLANBEDROG FOR ANIMAL FIGHTING AND FIREARMS OFFENCES

Rhys Owen Davies, born on 12 December 1993 and residing at Bwthyn Grug, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli LL53 7HN, was convicted in 2022 for keeping animals for fighting and neglecting their injuries. Now back in Llanbedrog, North Wales, Davies admitted to possessing and training five Patterdale Terriers for fighting and failing to seek veterinary care for two injured dogs.

Formerly a gamekeeper at the Millden shooting estate in Glenesk, Brechin, Angus DD9, Davies also pleaded guilty to breaching firearm license conditions by keeping unsecured firearms and ammunition at his former residence, Turnabrae House.

Court evidence included trophy photos of dogs used in fighting and baiting wild animals. An SSPCA employee raised concerns about images ordered by Davies, which depicted dogs with worsening facial injuries and males digging into badger setts or fox dens. Several images showed dead foxes, and one notably graphic photo displayed a terrier latched onto a bleeding badger.

The SSPCA identified these images as organized trophy photographs documenting animal fighting and killing activities involving multiple men, with Davies recognizable in many pictures.

On October 8, 2019, SSPCA inspectors and Police Scotland officers executed a warrant at Davies’ Brechin home. They discovered a Benelli shotgun near the front door, along with two rifles—a Tikka .243 on the sofa and a CZ in an adjacent cupboard. Police seized various ammunition, including 23 bullets in a pot, five in a carrier bag behind the door, and one on a bed.

Photographs obtained from the property showed Davies and others digging into fox dens or badger setts. Eleven dogs were found in kennels; five Patterdales had clear injuries. Two of these, Lola and Tuck, had fresh wounds—Lola's to her mouth and jaw, Tuck missing part of his lower face with an obvious smell of injury, and healed wounds on his forelegs.

All dogs were taken for veterinary assessment and treatment. Equipment linked to illegal fighting, such as locator collars, medication, needles, syringes, and a staple gun for injuries, was recovered. Forensic tests matched badger DNA to a red locator collar found on the property.

Photobooks, including a print order, were recovered, indicating the dogs’ repeated use in fighting, which left them disfigured. During police interviews, Davies admitted that the dogs had not received veterinary care while in his possession. He denied using them for fighting or killing foxes or badgers, claiming they had only been injured through legal ratting and foxing activities.

He agreed to surrender all terriers to the Scottish SPCA for rehoming. Veterinary experts concluded that the dogs’ injuries resulted from face-to-face fighting with badgers or foxes, consistent with prior abuse.

Further evidence came from Davies’ seized phone, which contained images of him digging and dogs with fresh wounds. Numerous conversations with associates discussed activities like digging and included photographs of dogs pulling badgers from setts. Voice messages discussed making a 'digging album,' with Davies stating, “And if I do get the knock for it at least everything’s all in the one place for them to find.”

GPS data from Davies’ phone placed him at two rural locations on September 21, 2019, where he had a recorded conversation about baiting. Later that night, an associate sent an image of Davies standing in a large hole, holding one of the terrier dogs.

Karon Rollo, Head of the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit of COPFS, commented: “Animal fighting is a cruel illegal activity which causes terrible and unnecessary suffering to animals. The evidence clearly shows the scope of Rhys Davies’ involvement with organized groups that inhumane to wild animals. I welcome the sentence and the order banning him from keeping animals for 15 years. Thanks to Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA for their investigations. This sends a clear message that such barbaric acts have consequences. COPFS will continue to prosecute those involved in these practices and urges anyone with information to contact police or the SSPCA.”

Davies was sentenced to eight months in prison, fined £1,800 for firearms offences, and banned from owning or keeping animals for 15 years.

Additional background notes refer to the Millden Estate, a known hotspot for raptor persecution and wildlife crimes, with a troubling history including poisoned eagles and killed otters, but no one has been prosecuted for these incidents. A 2009 article detailed these abuses, and an earlier report linked Davies to other convicted wildlife offenders, such as Anthony Holloway and Liam Taylor, highlighting ongoing issues of illegal activities related to the estate.