Naturewatch Foundation
Naturewatch Foundation - Advancing Animal Welfare
24-year-old Lewis Palmer of Leicestershire was sentenced at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16th August 2024, for one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a rabbit. His crime, caught on video, involved him throwing a live rabbit to his terrier-type dogs and encouraging them to attack.
In December 2023, the Leicestershire Police Rural Crime Team, in partnership with the RSPCA Special Operations (SPO) Unit, conducted a warrant following information provided by Naturewatch Foundation regarding Palmer’s alleged involvement in illegal hunting and the persecution of wildlife.
The footage is so disturbing that it wasn’t shown in open court.
District Judge Potter blasted Palmer’s actions and said, ‘…it was a barbaric act that he got a sadistic kick out of.’
Successful partnership working
Kate Salmon, Naturewatch Foundation’s wildlife crime campaign manager added, ‘We thank Leicestershire Police Rural Crime Team and the RSPCA’s SOU team for working with us on this matter and prosecuting Palmer. His actions were sick and clearly showed a complete disregard for the suffering he caused by using his dogs to harm and kill wildlife. We are pleased to see the sentence handed to Palmer and hope that it sends a message to those persecuting wildlife in the UK. We will work closely with law enforcement to bring you to justice and continuously campaign to protect our British wildlife and dogs used in such a manner.’
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The post Six year ban & suspended prison sentence for man videoed throwing a live rabbit to his dogs. first appeared on Naturewatch Foundation and is written by Morwenna.