A dad-of-two who trapped wild birds and kept them in filthy conditions as well as neglecting six dogs has been jailed.
Russell Yates, 41, of Peveril Road, Tibshelf, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison after admitting a string of offences including causing unnecessary suffering to 52 wild birds and 76 pigeons.
Six dogs were found in the rear yard of his property, in filthy, freezing conditions without access to clean water.
A dead dog was also found in a cage in a shed along with a dead ferret.
During the hearing at Chesterfield magistrates court today (Monday, March 11) Brian Orsborn prosecuting for the RSPCA said Yates had made over £1,000 through trapping and selling wild birds which included siskins, bullfinches, goldfinches and reed buntings.
In sentencing him district judge Andrew Davison said he had no choice but to impose immediate custody as “the offences were so serious and involved cruelty to so many birds and animals.”
Yates was ordered to pay £1,000 costs and was banned from keeping animals for 12 years.
See the full story in this week’s DT.
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