WILLIAM LEGGATT BRUTALLY ABUSES HUSKIES IN BRISTOL AND THORNBURY

William Michael Leggatt, born on 15 March 1995 and originally from Gravesend, Kent, has been convicted of heinous acts of animal cruelty involving two husky dogs in the Bristol area, specifically in Thornbury. Recently residing on Badger Road, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 1AD, Leggatt was responsible for inflicting severe injuries on the animals through a series of violent attacks that included battering, kicking, and stamping.

Leggatt, who was 19 years old at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to five charges under the Animal Welfare Act. The court heard that his actions resulted in significant suffering for the dogs involved. One of the victims, a husky puppy named Nala, endured a fractured skull, broken jaw, cheekbone, and a broken hip after being subjected to multiple assaults by Leggatt. The older dog, named Balue, was tied to a banister in his previous residence in Gravesend before being beaten. During this incident, Leggatt punched, kicked, and stamped on Balue, who miraculously escaped serious injury but was clearly subjected to extreme cruelty.

Surveillance footage from Leggatt’s former home in Gravesend revealed disturbing scenes where he tied Balue to a banister and then proceeded to attack her. The footage also showed him turning his aggression towards Nala, whom he beat and threatened with a knife. Despite the brutal treatment, Balue managed to avoid severe harm, but Nala’s injuries were extensive and life-threatening.

District Judge Lynn Matthews described Leggatt’s conduct as amounting to “torture,” expressing her disbelief at the veterinary reports which detailed the extent of the injuries. She remarked that she would not trust him with even a goldfish, highlighting the severity of his cruelty. The judge was particularly appalled by the injuries sustained by Nala, noting that her broken bone had broken away entirely, indicating the brutality of the attack.

Horrific CCTV footage captured the extent of Leggatt’s violence, including a video where he was seen kicking one of the dogs 29 times. The police uncovered the abuse while investigating another unrelated crime at Leggatt’s flat, where they reviewed CCTV footage that revealed the disturbing acts.

When questioned by authorities, Leggatt claimed that the dogs had been ‘naughty’ and stated that his only fault was not knowing when to ‘stop telling them off,’ showing a disturbing lack of remorse. During court proceedings, he admitted to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two counts of failing to protect the animals from pain, suffering, and injury.

Legal representatives for Leggatt, including his defense lawyer John Stokes, argued that their client had emotional and behavioral issues. They also pointed out that he had responsibilities, including a partner and a young child, although these factors did not mitigate his cruelty.

Leggatt was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison and was banned from keeping any animals for life. This case adds to his criminal record, which already includes a two-year jail sentence in April 2016 for stealing £32,000 from his grandparents, Andrea and John Scott of Gravesend. His brother, Oliver Leggatt of Paignton, Devon, who was involved in that theft, is currently serving nine years for armed robbery. Additionally, in July 2018, Leggatt received a 21-week jail sentence for attacking a woman and breaking a rabbit’s leg by throwing it on the floor, followed by a four-week consecutive sentence for the assault.

These repeated acts of violence and cruelty highlight a troubling pattern of behavior, raising serious concerns about Leggatt’s capacity for harm and the importance of ongoing monitoring and intervention to prevent further abuse.