🚨 ANIMAL ABUSE APPEAL: MAN SOUGHT AFTER BEATING DOG IN ROWLEY REGIS The RSPCA is appealing for information after a man was reportedly seen repeatedly kicking, punching and slapping a dog outside Lancaster House, Rowley Regis (B65), at around 12.30pm on 3 August. Witnesses contacted the charity after seeing the alleged abuse near the building’s main entrance. CCTV images have now been released as investigators seek to identify and trace a man they believe may hold vital information. 🔴 CAN YOU HELP? If you recognise the man or witnessed the incident, contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018. Quote incident number: 01875965

🚨 ANIMAL CRUELTY: DOG LEFT TO STARVE IN CELLAR — OWNER WALKS FREE OF IMMEDIATE JAIL Ryan David Alfred Miller, 44, abandoned his dog Mabel in a cold, unheated cellar in Holmfirth for around three weeks, without food or water. When she was discovered in January 2026, the American bully cross was severely emaciated and dehydrated. Her body condition scored just 1 out of 9. A vet said her suffering was “very high” and warned she was probably just DAYS from death, with her organs at imminent risk of shutting down. Despite a previous RSPCA warning about leaving dogs alone for extended periods, Miller left Mabel without anyone to care for her. A probation officer described the neglect as wilful, saying he had given “no consideration for this dog whatsoever”. At Kirklees Magistrates’ Court, Miller received 38 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, plus 200 hours of unpaid work. He was banned from keeping animals indefinitely. He must also pay £587 in costs, with around £3,000 in legal and veterinary fees to be recovered by the RSPCA. Mabel survived - but only just. She has since been rehomed. Source UK Database.

🚨 ANIMAL CRUELTY: TRAVELLER BACKYARD BREEDER TOM BUCKWORTH, 23, ORMESBY - PUPPY STARVED TO DEATH Maggie, a tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, was taken to a vet on 5 November 2025 in a horrific condition. She was severely emaciated, soaked, covered in matted faeces, infested with mites and barely able to lift her head. Her breathing was described as “gasping, almost agonal”. The vet confirmed she was dying. Maggie had to be euthanised to end her suffering. A post-mortem revealed extensive muscle loss, no visible body fat and prolonged malnutrition. Her calorie intake had been far below what a puppy needs to survive. Tom Buckworth, 23, admitted causing unnecessary suffering. His punishment? 15 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and a 10-year ban on keeping animals. He was also ordered to pay £1,082 in legal and veterinary costs. Source UKACF.

🚨 JOHN BAGNALL, 38, CONSETT - ELDERLY DOG SUFFERED REPEATED TRAUMA BEFORE HIS DEATH Jake, a 16-year-old terrier, suffered multiple rib fractures on both sides of his body, at different stages of healing - evidence of repeated blunt-force trauma. When challenged by an RSPCA inspector, Bagnall admitted throwing Jake outside for hours if he urinated indoors. He also said he had dumped the dog’s body on wasteland for foxes to eat. A vet said breaking ribs required significant force. Bagnall received a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and a lifetime ban on keeping animals. Jake was 16. His final months should have been filled with comfort and care, not pain and fear. A lifetime ban - but no immediate prison time. Source UKACF.

🚨 CHILD RAPIST JAILED FOR 6 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS Ridwan Kasem, 20, of Burnley, filmed himself raping a primary-school-aged boy and downloaded dozens of images depicting child sexual abuse. Police uncovered four videos documenting his own sexual offending, including rape, alongside 39 Category A images, 25 Category B images and 15 prohibited images. Investigators identified him through a silver bracelet visible in the footage and matching photographs on his phone. Sentenced at Preston Crown Court, Kasem received 6 years and 6 months in prison, a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and lifetime sex offender notification requirements. The judge said the child was likely to have suffered very serious emotional and physical harm. The abuse was recorded. The evidence was on his phone. The sentence: six and a half years. Source UK Database.

🚨 ANIMAL CRUELTY CONVICTION: JACK SMITH, 28, SLOUGH Know the face - he avoided prison, even though the cruelty was so severe. A defenceless puppy was left with severe head and facial injuries, a fractured rib and ligature marks after his mouth was tied shut. Council officers discovered the injured pup hidden in a bedroom, wrapped in a urine-soaked blanket. Smith failed to attend court, resulting in a warrant being issued. Despite the judge indicating the cruelty warranted immediate custody, he received suspended prison sentences, 200 hours of unpaid work, a £450 fine and a 10-year ban on keeping animals. Thankfully, the puppy recovered and has since been rehomed. An animal suffered horrific injuries, yet its abuser avoided immediate prison. Source UKACF.