Man sentenced for causing suffering to terrier on Marshland St James farm

A man has been sentenced after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a Patterdale Terrier dog after using it for badger hunting and not seeking veterinary help for severe facial injuries it suffered.

Daniel Eldridge, 61, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Norwich Magistrates Court on Friday

The incidents happened at a farm in Marshland St James and led to an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Eldridge, of Tye Green, Glemsford, Suffolk, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and banned from owning dogs for two years.

The court heard how the dog, named Spud, sustained severe injuries to his lower jaw, consistent with bite wounds from a large mammal, such as a badger.

Eldridge had failed to seek appropriate vet care for the dog on two occasions - between December 1 and 4, 2021 and January 11 and 15, 2023, while at a farm in Marshland St James.

An expert witness vet said that mobile phone messages and images sent by Eldridge suggested the dogs had been used in hunting activities that involved digging, referring to “dogs being dug”.

The vet concluded that Spud would have suffered for at least three days from severe facial injuries - described as skin avulsions from the lips and chin, and lack of appropriate pain relief. His horrific injuries were likely caused by a badger.

A second witness vet added: “These injuries, and their severity, would have been obvious to any reasonable owner. I regard torn, crushed and infected wounds like these as extremely painful. The failure to seek veterinary treatment has resulted in him experiencing unnecessary suffering for a period of at least four days.”

Further video and messaging evidence also showed that Eldridge had illegally docked the tails of six puppies, a procedure only permitted in England under strict veterinary and working dog exemptions.

In sentencing, the judge remarked that Eldridge had “deliberate disregard for the welfare of your dog”.

In mitigation, Eldridge’s lawyers claimed the incidents occurred during legal hunts, where he had permission to use dogs underground in support of shooting. They also said he was a man of good character with a brain injury sustained in 2018, and had reflected on his actions. They added that he may seek the companionship of dogs again in future.

Following the sentencing, RSPCA Chief Inspector Will Mitchell from the charity’s Special Operations Unit, said: “The court heard how this dog had been deliberately put underground and his horrific injuries were likely caused by a badger.

“Not only does badger hunting involve barbaric cruelty against wildlife, but it also results in traumatic injuries to the dogs involved.

“On this occasion, the dog didn’t receive the correct veterinary treatment and was left to suffer. Eldridge also docked the tails of puppies - a painful and unnecessary procedure. These are all offences under the Animal Welfare Act.”

Spud has since recovered from his injuries and has been rehomed by the RSPCA.