SHARON GLADWELL FROM HAYLE CONVICTED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE INVOLVING DOG TRUST

Sharon Jeannine Gladwell, a dog breeder based at 23 Mount Pleasant in Hayle, has been found guilty of severe animal cruelty after a disturbing incident involving a dog named Trust. Born around 1973, Gladwell’s actions came under scrutiny following a detailed investigation initiated by the RSPCA, which was prompted by a report from a concerned member of the public.

Gladwell operates her dog breeding business under the name Jotars Collies & Australian Shepherds. The investigation revealed that she was caught on camera physically abusing Trust, a dog she had purchased as a puppy in 2018. The original agreement was that Trust would be returned to Gladwell when she was three years old to have a litter of puppies. Trust was later used for breeding purposes in May 2021, and her owner brought her back to Gladwell’s residence in Hayle to give birth in July, alongside another pregnant dog.

During the period when Trust was in Gladwell’s care, her owner had access to a video application that allowed her to monitor Trust and her puppies remotely. This surveillance footage became crucial evidence in the case. According to the witness statement, the incident was captured live, revealing a distressing scene. The witness recounted seeing Sharon Gladwell enter the room where Trust and her puppies were housed. She observed Gladwell placing a bowl into the whelping box, which caused Trust to cower away—a behavior uncharacteristic of her. The witness described how, at approximately 17:58, she watched Gladwell approach Trust through the live feed.

She detailed that Gladwell first adjusted the bedding in the whelping box before violently kicking Trust in the chest with her right foot. The dog did not react or move away from the attack. Following this, Gladwell leaned over Trust and struck her in the face, causing her head to jerk backwards. The footage showed Gladwell continuing to lean over Trust and hitting her again in the face. The assault culminated with Gladwell grabbing Trust by the scruff of her neck and the fur on her rump, holding her off the ground for about eight seconds before forcefully throwing her to the back of the whelping pen.

Tragically, one of Trust’s puppies died, suspected to have succumbed to leptospirosis, a bacterial disease. The remaining puppies were sold, and Trust was eventually returned to her owner. The witness added that Gladwell had told her Trust had been kept indoors, but she noted that the dog smelled bad and her stomach was covered in dirt, which took about a week to clean. She also observed that Trust had lost weight, indicating possible neglect.

Gladwell appeared before Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on June 18, 2024, where she pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The court sentenced her to a fine of £733, ordered her to pay £400 in legal costs, and imposed a £293 victim surcharge. There was no mention of a ban on owning or breeding animals as part of her sentence.

This case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of cruelty, with Gladwell’s actions now subject to legal repercussions in Cornwall.