Birkenhead man faces possible jail sentence over neglect of greyhounds

Jan 27 2010 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

A GREYHOUND racing trainer from Birkenhead faces jail after inflicting “terrible suffering” on nearly 30 dogs in his care.

Ian Street, 49, had 29 greyhounds confiscated when his Frankby premises were raided last April.

Of those, eleven were in such a state that animal welfare charges were brought against him by Wirral Council.

Street, of Bedford Avenue, leant on the dock at Wirral Magistrate’s Court as the animals’ misery was detailed last Thursday.

Kenneth Abraham, prosecuting, described the scene at Hillcroft Farm on Frankby Road, where the dogs were kept.

He told the court: “A greyhound called Dancer had gingivitis and scabs on her feet.

“Tex had complete hair loss on his back half and scabs on his ears.

“Sal had thinning hair and redness to her skin.

“The vet who examined the dogs confirmed these were all illnesses that would have been spotted by a responsible dog owner who would have sought appropriate advice.”

After Street admitted failing to protect the animals from pain, suffering, injury and disease, chairwoman of the bench Linda Tragen warned him: “It is up to you to co-operate with the probation service on a pre-sentence report which may include a community penalty or indeed custody.”

He was also ordered not to give away any animals he was keeping at other properties and to make them available for inspection.

Ann Downey, enforcement officer with Wirral Council environmental health team, said: “This was a particularly difficult case to investigate because of the number of animals involved and the level of suffering we witnessed.

“We are pleased that the hard work that had gone into preparing and presenting the evidence has paid off with the guilty plea.

“The conditions in which these greyhounds were kept were simply not acceptable and it's clear that a number of them suffered terribly as a result of his neglect.

“Mercifully all of the dogs have now fully recovered and have all found new homes as a result of the efforts of Greyhound Rescue West of England, whose hard work and assistance has been invaluable throughout.”

A spokesperson for Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE) said: “Any owner or racing trainer has a basic duty to provide food, water and shelter to the animals in their care, and to protect them from disease and injury.

“GRWE will always support councils in seizing animals from conditions such as those endured by the dogs kept by Mr Street.”

Street’s sentencing was adjourned until February 15.