STEVE METCALFE FROM WEST BURTON SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY INVOLVING FOX ATTACK

Steven Metcalfe, a former gamekeeper residing at Wensleydale Avenue in West Burton, Leyburn DL8 5SD, was involved in a disturbing incident that drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities and the court system. The case centered around a video he recorded on his mobile phone, which captured a brutal attack on a trapped fox by two unidentified men and their dogs.

According to the prosecution presented by Kevin Campbell for the RSPCA, the footage revealed a horrifying scene where the two men had captured the fox and placed it inside a sack, with its mouth securely bound. The men reportedly told Metcalfe that they wanted him to film their dogs attacking the fox as part of some form of training. The video showed the men holding the fox down by its neck, with its mouth still tied, while the dogs viciously tore into it. The attack culminated with one of the men shooting the fox dead at an undisclosed location. Both of these men, who are known to Metcalfe, were present during the incident.

During police questioning, Metcalfe claimed that he did not believe he was doing anything wrong, stating, “I didn’t think it was wrong – it’s just a dog killing a fox. It’s vermin.” Despite his previous experience as a gamekeeper for four years, during which he was trained in humane methods of animal culling, he admitted to causing unnecessary suffering and acknowledged being present at what was described as an animal fight.

In his defense, Granville Rooley, representing Metcalfe, argued that his client felt intimidated by the other two men involved and was not directly responsible for the cruelty depicted in the footage. Rooley emphasized that Metcalfe’s failure to walk away once he realized what was happening was a mistake, but he suggested that the men involved were dangerous individuals who should not be crossed.

Following the court proceedings, RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson expressed her outrage, describing the video as “extremely shocking” and condemning the attack as “deliberate and callous cruelty towards the fox.”

Ultimately, Steven Metcalfe was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison. Additionally, he was banned from keeping dogs for ten years, a ban that expired in 2021. The case has sparked widespread condemnation and highlights ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and illegal hunting activities in the West Burton area.