Dog-fight ring gamekeeper snared by sick ‘trophy’ photos
Estate worker caught after he tried to get images of sick attacks printed
BY
A GAMEKEEPER exposed as part of an animal-fighting ring by “trophy” photos has been warned he faces prison.
A court heard some of the animals were left disfigured after being trained to fight badgers and foxes.
The bouts were set up for a group including Rhys Davies, who was working at 20,000-acre Millden Estate in Angus.
Davies’s sick hobby was revealed when he sent horrific photographs to be developed and the alarm was raised by a shop worker.
Animal charity the Scottish SPCA and the police were called and a probe discovered images which showed cruelty and neglect.
Sheriff Derek Reekie told Davies: “This is truly disturbing and stressful. It’s horrendous and I’ve got to consider a custodial sentence.
“This was an organised activity. It’s clear from messages a group of people were engaging in organised fighting and killing of animals.”
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the catalogue of cruelty emerged in 2019 when Davies sent 58 photographs to be printed.
When police officers raided his home on the grouseshooting estate near Glenesk, they found severely injured dogs along with an unsecured shotgun, two rifles and more than 140 bullets.
The dogs had facial injuries and a number of men were identifiable, posing and digging into what looked like fox dens or badger setts.
The ex-gamekeeper told police the dogs had been injured carrying out legitimate ratting and foxing duties but the animals were immediately removed for their own safety.
Davies, now of Llanbedrog in Gwynedd, Wales, admitted keeping and training five Patterdale terriers to fight animals, as well as failing to seek veterinary treatment for two which had sustained injuries from fighting.
His solicitor said Davies now works as a maintenance worker at a Welsh boatyard.
The lawyer added: “It appears he didn’t think through the implications of what he was doing.”
Sentence was deferred for social work reports and Davies was released on bail.
A Scottish SPCA inspector said: “We’re pleased Mr Davies has pled guilty after a long and complex investigation. We look forward to his sentencing.”
Millden Estate said: “The employee involved was suspended by the estate with immediate effect and resigned a few days later.”