Burnley teens used dogs to kill animals and shared videos on TikTok

A TEENAGER has been jailed for his part in illegal hunting with dogs - and getting an animal to kill pet cats.

Blackburn magistrates heard how the two men and a youth appearing before them had been involved in incidents involving domestic cats, badgers and rabbits.

The investigation - named Operation Ratchet - saw a number of mobile phones examined revealing 182 videos that showed graphic cruelty to animals, some of which had been set to music and edited for use on video sharing social site, TikTok.

The magistrates were shown gruesome footage of two lurchers dragging a badger from a wooden crate and attacking it.

During the eight minute video a man could be seen kicking the badger repeatedly as one dog had hold of it by the neck and another by a hind leg.

The tormented animal, which could be heard squealing, eventually made it to woodland at the edge of the field where it was finished off by the dogs.

One of the charges related to one of the dogs which received injuries to its face during the brutal incident which had not been treated by a vet.

Ryan Hancock, 18, of Prestwich Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a black and white cat called Gatsby, by encouraging a dog to attack the cat; causing unnecessary suffering to the same cat by failing to supress the attack; causing unnecessary suffering to a rabbit by causing it to be attacked by a dog; causing unnecessary suffering to two rabbits by causing them to be attacked by a dog; attempting to kill a badger; causing unnecessary suffering to a tan lurcher called Cassie by failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries; attempting to kill a badger; possessing a live badger; wilfully killing a badger; and causing an animal fight to take place between two dogs and a badger. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

• Burnley: Trio beat up father of children in 'small clothes' row

Marcus Leverett, 19, of Harold Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a grey tabby cat named by encouraging a dog to attack it which led to the cats death and causing unnecessary suffering to a lurcher dog called Storm by failing to provide veterinary treatment for its injuries.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and £128 victim surcharge.

The 16 year old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Gatsby, possessing a live badger, wilfully killing a badger and causing an animal fight to take place. He was made subject to a 12 months referral order and ordered to pay £500 costs and £22 victim surcharge.

All three were banned from owning, keeping, transporting or dealing in animals for 10 years.

Paul Ridehalgh, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said all matters came to the attention of the police and the RSPCA as a result of the attack of Gatsby who was a family pet.

A member of the public filmed the attack from a bedroom window as it took place on a field at the back of Melrose Avenue, Burnley. The lurcher dog was seen to jump out of a back yard and then chase the cat. Hancock and the youth could then be seen encouraging the attack as one of them filmed it on his mobile phone.

A dog attack on the cat 

The cat's owner screamed at them from her bedroom window and her husband went into the field. An older man, who was the grandfather of one of the teenagers, had approached them and he handed the cat over to the owner's husband.

"He took the cat to the vets but unfortunately it died on the way," said Mr Ridehalgh.

As a result of that incident phones were seized from all three defendants and they showed numerous incidents involving the dogs belonging to Hancock and Leverett.

Mr Ridehalgh played video clips taken from the phones including the incident when the badger was dragged from a crate and savaged by the two dogs.

"It appears the badger in this incident was purchased for the sole purpose of this attack," said Mr Ridehalgh.

He said all the dogs involved had been signed over to the RSPCA.

Clive Rees, defending all three, said he would not attempt to mitigate the offences of animal cruelty because there could never be a good reason for them.

"My clients realise, somewhat belatedly, that this was in no way acceptable behaviour to get involved in," said Mr Rees. "They signed over the dogs to the RSPCA knowing that would be the end of their involvement with dogs for a very long time."

Mr Rees said he couldn't begin to explain the taking of moving images as had happened on many occassions in the case before the court.

After the sentencing, RSPCA officer Jason Bowles, who led the investigation, said: “This group of lads was targeting animals on the council estate they lived on as well as wildlife in the surrounding area.

“We found awful footage on their mobile phones that showed extreme cruelty to animals. Many of the photos and videos had been set to music and edited for sharing online.

“Not only did the animals they attacked and killed suffer, but their own dogs also suffered from injuries in the confrontations and fights.”

Jason added: “If anyone notices dogs, such as terriers and lurchers, suffering recurring injuries like cuts and wounds around the face, then we’d ask them to contact the police or RSPCA to report their concerns.”

PC Matt Hartup, part of the Lancashire Police Rural Task Force in the East of the county, said: “This operation – known as Op Ratchet – shows how closely we work in partnership with other agencies to tackle all sorts of crime, and bring offenders to justice.

“The glamorisation of this type of violence is barbaric and serves no purpose in the countryside; it promotes horrendous suffering and abuse of animals – including the lack of concern for the welfare of the dogs used for these crimes.

“We hope the court results over the last two days sends a strong message to those looking to commit crime in Lancashire, that it will not be tolerated and it will be acted upon.

“We would like to thank the community for bringing it to our attention so promptly, and it’s good news to know the dogs have been safely rehomed.

“We would encourage anyone who may be witness to, or have information about this sort of crime, to report it to us online at www.lancashire.police.uk or via the RSPCA by calling 0300 1234 999."