WAYNE MORTIMER OF MOUNTAIN ASH CONVICTED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AND BADGER BAITING IN WALES

Wayne Mortimer, a resident of Mountain Ash, was found guilty in connection with severe animal welfare violations involving his two injured dogs. Born on December 18, 1974, Mortimer's address is listed as 47 Nant-Y-Fedw, Mountain Ash CF45 4LS. The case centered around his neglect of two Patterdale terriers, which had sustained serious injuries that went untreated for several days, leading to unnecessary suffering.

On November 25, 2021, RSPCA inspector Simon Evans, accompanied by police officers, visited Mortimer’s property following concerns raised about the welfare of the dogs. The inspection revealed a distressing scene: five Patterdale terriers and a lurcher puppy were housed in purpose-built steel kennels within a shed located in the garden. Among these animals, one dog was visibly injured, prompting immediate action.

Inspector Evans provided detailed testimony about the condition of the injured dog, describing a small, black Patterdale-type terrier with a white patch on its chest. The dog appeared to have a severe injury to its lower jaw, with a wound that was yellowish and pus-filled, indicating infection. Upon closer examination, the wound was found to be extensive, stripping away skin and hair from beneath the dog’s chin down to the throat. The injury was so severe that approximately 75 percent of the skin and tissue from the lower jaw was missing, exposing the root of the dog’s left canine tooth. Additional wounds included injuries to the nasal septum, small lacerations on the upper lips, cranium, and eyes.

The second injured dog, named Race, also showed signs of trauma, including an unhealed wound on its left ear, a laceration on its chin, and bilateral conjunctivitis. Both dogs bore scars on their heads and necks, with some wounds only a few days old, indicating ongoing suffering. The police seized both animals and immediately transported them to veterinary facilities for urgent treatment.

A veterinary examination confirmed the extent of the injuries. The vet explained that Jack, one of the terriers, was missing a significant portion of skin and subcutaneous tissue from the mandible, with about 75 percent of the lower jaw affected. The injuries also included damage to the nasal septum and multiple small cuts on the upper lips, cranium, and eyes. The injuries to Race were less severe but still concerning, with an unhealed wound on the ear, a cut on the chin, and signs of conjunctivitis. The presence of healed scars and recent wounds suggested ongoing trauma and neglect.

During an interview on December 6, Mortimer claimed that the injuries resulted from dog fights. He admitted to treating the wounds himself with disinfectant and antibiotics purchased online but expressed fear of taking the dogs to a veterinarian, suspecting that doing so might lead to accusations of badger baiting. He also stated that the injury to Race had occurred approximately a year earlier during a fight with Jack, and that some scars on Race’s face were from previous incidents involving foxes, which he claimed to have been involved with on land managed by a gamekeeper friend.

Further expert testimony was provided by a second veterinarian, who opined that the injuries were more consistent with bites from a badger rather than dog fights. The expert explained that the severity and pattern of tissue damage, especially around the chin, suggested a vice-like grip typical of a badger’s bite. Both veterinary professionals agreed that the injuries were likely caused by a badger, not other animals, and that the dogs had suffered unnecessarily due to Mortimer’s failure to seek proper veterinary care.

Following the evidence, Mortimer pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences in court, following a prosecution initiated by the RSPCA. The court sentenced him to a 12-week prison term, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work and pay costs and charges totaling £528. He was also banned from owning or keeping dogs for ten years, although he has the right to appeal this ban after five years.

Currently, Jack and Race are in the care of the RSPCA and are doing well. The charity is actively seeking new homes for them. The other dogs found at Mortimer’s property have already been rehomed, and the case has highlighted ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and illegal badger baiting activities in the region.