WAYNE AND JOANNE GLASBY SENTENCED IN THURROCK FOR ILLEGAL TAIL DOCKING

In 2019, Wayne and Joanne Glasby, of Cedric Crescent, Thurcroft S66, were convicted of illegally docking their dogs' tails, causing them unnecessary pain.

Joanne Glasby, born around 1968, and Wayne Glasby, born on December 1, 1981, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and removing part of a dog’s tail.

Wayne Glasby runs the Anston Grange Farm Shop and Butchers in Lindrick Dale, Worksop. The couple used docking rings to remove the tails of four terriers when they were approximately six weeks old.

Andy Cash, representing the RSPCA, explained that their misconduct was uncovered after they advertised three terriers for sale online. "By chance, a person viewing the photographs in the advert, who had a background as a vet, thought she could see a docking ring and reported it to the RSPCA," he stated.

The RSPCA visited the Glasbys on November 30, 2018, and found four puppies, aged around six to seven weeks, with docked tails. A veterinarian examined the animals and concluded that the tail removal had not been performed by a qualified professional and classified it as an act of mutilation. "It was likely to have caused unnecessary pain, which was expected to last a few days," added Mr. Cash.

During police interviews, Wayne Glasby admitted that he owned the puppies but denied involvement in docking their tails. He claimed the procedure had been performed by a vet, but attempts to locate such a vet proved their non-existence.

Joanne Glasby told officers she was responsible for the puppies and denied knowing who had performed the tail docking, saying, "She thought it was just what was done to terriers."

The Glasbys' lawyer explained that they had rehomed all their terriers before the court hearing but still kept a 12-year-old lurcher, which they hoped to rehome within their family. The lawyer added that the legal process had been distressing for the couple.

The couple also owns a smallholding where they keep a pony, sheep, and lambs. The judge expressed concern regarding the welfare of these animals.

Sentencing included 150 hours of unpaid work and a £600 fine each. They were also banned from keeping dogs for five years, with the ban having expired in March 2024.