| Who, age | What | Where | When | Last Known Address |
| Ian Draper, 41(1) | dogfighting-11 pitbulls seized, euthanized | Banbury, England |
December 2003 | Asthall, Oxfordshire, England |
| Danny Draper, 20(2) | dogfighting- causing unnecessary suffering to his dog | Banbury, England |
June 2006 | |
| Type of Crime | Other Crimes | #/Type of animal(s) involved | Case Status | Next Court Date |
| (1) 11 pitbulls (2) Staffordshire bull terrier |
Convicted |
A man was jailed for three months after he admitted
dog-fighting offences.
Ian Draper, 41, from Asthall, Oxfordshire, pleaded guilty to causing the fighting
of dogs, and to causing suffering by permitting a dog to fight and by failing
to get veterinary attention for an injured dog.
The RSPCA's undercover special operations unit, along with uniformed RSPCA inspectors and police, raided his home in December 2003 as part of Operation Gazpacho, a nationwide investigation into illegal dog fighting which spanned three years.
They discovered one dog, a pitbull terrier called Charlie, with extensive injuries to his chest and face, consistent with having been involved in a recent fight. Also found at the property were a homemade fighting pit, a treadmill (used to improve dogs' stamina), breaking sticks used to prise dogs' jaws apart, homemade veterinary kits to treat injured dogs on site and avoid arousing suspicion from vets, and books and videos on the subject.
Draper also admitted to keeping a place for dogfighting, permitting suffering by failing to exercise care and supervision and possession of 10 pit bull terriers. Banbury magistrates court banned him from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Chief inspector Mike Butcher, from the RSPCA's special operations unit, said: "We are extremely pleased at the sentence. We hope it sends a clear message to all those who continue to participate in this bloody and cruel sport that it will not be tolerated in the 21st century."
Draper had organised at least one fight in the outbuilding of his father's pub, The New Inn, in Minster Lovell which had tiled walls so blood could easily be washed off. Dogfighting has been illegal in the UK since 1835. The pub is now under new ownership. A charge against Ian Draper's father, Martin Draper, of Wenrisc Drive, Minster Lovell, was withdrawn.
Paddy Roche, prosecuting, said inspectors had discovered Charlie in a distressed condition and"badly scarred about the head and body". He said: "There was congealed blood around the cuts, which seemed to be very recent."
The vet who examined the dog recorded: "The distribution, number and severity of the wounds leaves me to conclude this individual was involved in an intentional dogfight."
The judge ordered that Charlie and 10 other dogs seized by the RSPCA should be put down.
At Banbury magistrates court in May 2005, Ian Draper, 41, of Asthall, Oxfordshire, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to dogs, keeping a place for dogfighting and owning an illegal breed. The RSPCA showed photographs of Charlie, an American pitbull terrier, one of 11 dogs seized from Draper. The badly scarred animal could not stand and, an expert said, had been wounded in the previous two days.
Draper was jailed for three months and banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Update 11/24/06: Ian Draper's son has been banned from keeping animals for a year after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his dog.Danny Draper, 20, of Pembroke Place, Bampton, was ordered by Banbury magistrates to serve 120 hours community service, and was fined £500.
His Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Ozzy, was found in June with wounds and scars to his head, legs, and chest. None of his injuries had been treated by a vet. He was also found to be severely underweight and dehydrated.
The examining vet said that the wounds were consistent with the dog having been fighting with another dog.
In mitigation, Draper said that his dog had accidentally fought with another dog, but he did not take him to a vet for treatment, as his father had a previous conviction for offences related to dogfighting, and he thought it might look suspicious.
After Danny Draper's sentencing, RSPCA inspector, Tracy Davenport, said: "My main concern was that Ozzy should be confiscated to prevent him from suffering further.
"There is no excuse for not taking a sick or injured animal to the vet, and I just hope this sentence will mean that any future pets are given veterinary treatment when they need it, and not just left to suffer."
Two-year-old Ozzy was confiscated into RSPCA care by the court, and will be made ready for rehoming.
Reference:
| The Guardian | The Oxford Mail |