Greyhound owner banned from keeping animals for life after pleading guilty of neglect

Feb 24 2010 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

A GREYHOUND trainer was branded an “inadequate man” by a District Judge and handed a lifetime ban from keeping animals, for neglecting 29 dogs in his care.

Ian Street, 49, had previously entered a guilty plea to the eleven charges of failing to provide a suitable environment, or protect the animals from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Street, of Bedford Avenue, Birkenhead was repeatedly warned to improve his greyhounds’ living conditions, before a prosecution was brought by Wirral Council, the court heard.

Appearing before District Judge Michael Abelson at Birkenhead Magistrates’ Court, Street’s solicitor, Matthew Reynolds, insisted his client was an “animal lover” who was overcome by depression and the care of a nephew with cerebral palsy.

But his lack of attention led many of the dogs to suffer hair loss and mange, while they slept in blood, faeces and urine, with no bedding and in cramped conditions.

The animals were all kept in leased buildings at Hillcroft poultry farm near Frankby, and it was complaints from the public that led to investigations by Wirral Council.

Street was first contacted in June 2008 by enforcement officers, whose inspection revealed “16 greyhounds in cages” surrounded by “large numbers of flies and blue bottles” with “blood and faeces on the floor”, Ken Abrahams, prosecuting said.

The council decided to issue an improvement notice to Mr Street on that occasion.

But on January 6, 2009, another complaint from the public was received and, during a visit on January 20, it was determined that matters hadn’t improved and Street was now also breeding greyhound puppies.

Mr Abrahams said: “The defendant initially denied breeding dogs and then admitted it, but said it was not done on a regular basis.”

On April 1, Street agreed to sign over 10 dogs to Greyhound Rescue West of England, but when the organisation asked for all 29, he refused. Two animals were in a particularly bad condition, the court heard.

‘Star’ had a large, open, untreated wound to her side, while ‘Dancer’ had untreated gingivitis.

Judge Abelson said: “Quite simply, they hadn’t been looked after.”

Defending, Matthew Reynolds told the court his client considered the animals to be suffering from bald thigh syndrome.

He said: “The bald thigh syndrome can often not be dealt with until the animals retire.

“When they have a long break from the stress of racing, the hair may grow back.”

He said his client was well known in the greyhound fraternity, and several references were produced to suggest Street was a responsible dog owner.

But District Judge Abelson said: “No-one likes people who ill treat animals.

“We are a nation of dog lovers, people love their dogs and don’t expect to see animals kept in these conditions.”

Ian Street was handed a four month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from keeping animals, except pigeons, for life.