At its meeting on 29 April 2021, The Kennel Club Disciplinary Committee carefully considered the convictions of Mr John Drury of Liverpool for unnecessary suffering and failure to meet the needs of an animal offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 from the Liverpool Knowsley & St Helens Magistrates Court on 1 October 2020.
The Committee impose the following penalties:
The Committee noted that Mr Drury pleaded guilty to charges of failure to provide veterinary care and was found guilty of docking a dog’s tail.
Mr Drury in his mitigation to The Kennel Club said he had been stupid and naïve and accepted it had been his fault. Mr Drury had sought information about the care of the breed from online sources.
The Committee’s view was that ignorance as professed was no excuse. A breeder must ensure that they are fully informed about the care needed for their particular breed – and seek help and advice, perhaps from other breeders or sources of authority and veterinary advice. It is not acceptable to risk the health and welfare of any animal because of ignorance.
The Court gave a 12 months’ disqualification from keeping animals. The Committee’s view was that a disqualification of 5 years from Kennel Club regulated activities is a proportionate duration to reflect the seriousness of the matter.
As with previous cases involving offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is worth expressly stating that any breeder must ensure that the needs of an animal must be met to the extent required by good practice under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 including;
The Committee impose the following penalties:
- To disqualify him from exhibiting at, taking part in, attending and/or having any connection with any event licensed by the Club. If any person disqualified under this sub-paragraph shall attend any canine event whilst disqualified the Board shall have the power to increase the period of disqualification [A11 j (4)]
- To disqualify him from being or becoming a member of any canine club or society registered with or affiliated to The Kennel Club [A11 j (5)]
- To disqualify him from acting as an Officer or serving on the Committee of any canine society [A11 j (6)]
- To disqualify him from taking part in the management of any event licensed by the Club [A11 j (7)]
- To disqualify him from judging at any event licensed by the Club [A11 j (8)]
- To disqualify him from effecting registrations of any or all dogs and/or progeny of such dogs which are owned and/or registered by him (whether or not jointly owned and/or whether or not owned and/or registered in the name of a nominee) [A11 j (9)]
The Committee noted that Mr Drury pleaded guilty to charges of failure to provide veterinary care and was found guilty of docking a dog’s tail.
Mr Drury in his mitigation to The Kennel Club said he had been stupid and naïve and accepted it had been his fault. Mr Drury had sought information about the care of the breed from online sources.
The Committee’s view was that ignorance as professed was no excuse. A breeder must ensure that they are fully informed about the care needed for their particular breed – and seek help and advice, perhaps from other breeders or sources of authority and veterinary advice. It is not acceptable to risk the health and welfare of any animal because of ignorance.
The Court gave a 12 months’ disqualification from keeping animals. The Committee’s view was that a disqualification of 5 years from Kennel Club regulated activities is a proportionate duration to reflect the seriousness of the matter.
As with previous cases involving offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is worth expressly stating that any breeder must ensure that the needs of an animal must be met to the extent required by good practice under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 including;
- a. its need for a suitable environment,
- b. its need for a suitable diet,
- c. its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
- d. any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and
- e. its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.