Latest news with #Lurcher
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Despicable' paedophile set dogs on animals including pet cat and filmed attacks
After Brandon Robb was last month jailed for preying on two girls and a boy - the youngest just eight years old - he has now been sentenced to another year in prison A convicted paedophile filmed himself encouraging his dogs to attack other animals, including a pet cat. Brandon Robb, 28, was sentenced to another year behind bars and and banned from owning animals after admitting a string of wildlife offences at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, with police describing his actions as "despicable". Robb - already jailed for seven years for a series of vile sex attacks on children as young as eight - filmed his Lurcher dogs as they hunted and preyed upon wild animals including deer, rabbits, hares, a fox cub and a domestic cat. He then uploaded some of the footage to social media. Prosecutors said there were more than 20 separate incidents in 2022, taking place at night in woods and farmland around Perth and Kinross. Iain Batho, wildlife crime lead at the Crown Office, said: "It is highly important to preserve Scotland's natural heritage, including the wildlife that forms part of it. As such, wild animals are given strict protection by our law. "Brandon Robb's actions had no purpose or motive other than to fulfil his own desire to inflict pain and suffering on innocent animals. The shocking cruelty, quantity and frequency of these incidents will inevitably have had a detrimental effect on the local wildlife population. "(The Crown Office) takes the prosecution of wildlife crime extremely seriously and prosecutorial action will be taken if there is sufficient evidence, if it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so." Some of the phone footage seen by the court showed him instructing his dogs to attack animals. In one scene, he held up the bloodied body of a domestic cat which had been attacked by the dogs. A vet who analysed the video suggested the pet cat may have gone into cardiac arrest or suffered a brain injury. He said the cat's eyes showed it had suffered a haemorrhage and its breathing was likely the result of "extreme stress". Robb's crimes became known after a member of the public saw him highlighting the footage on social media and it was reported to Police Scotland. Officers arrested Robb and a search of his home uncovered items including a number of mobile phones, two torches, a pair of binoculars and a scope, a spot lamp and a hunting knife. He was also convicted of assaulting one of the officers during his arrest. Constable Ben Pacholek of Police Scotland said: "Immense suffering was caused by Robb to these animals. During our inquiries, evidence was obtained from his mobile phone showing how he instructed his dogs to chase the animals and then encouraged them to keep attacking, resulting in horrific injuries and death. He also caused suffering to his own dogs." He said the investigation was made difficult as the killings were carried out at night, making locations hard to identify. Constable Pacholek added: "Through dedicated police work, the investigation team was able to show that Robb was responsible for his dogs causing unprecedented suffering over several weeks. "He boasted about the prowess of his dogs and gloried in the suffering of the animals he ordered them to harm. His actions were despicable." Robb has been banned indefinitely from owning or keeping animals. Robb was previously found guilty in February this year of non-recent sexual offences against children and domestic offences in Fife. He preyed on two girls and a boy, the youngest just eight years old, in the town of Leslie between 2011 and 2015. The High Court in Edinburgh last month heard that Robb also acted in a threatening and abusive manner to two women. He was arrested and charged in August 2023, with Detective Sergeant Alasdair Young referring to him as a "violent man and sexual predator who preyed on children and abused them". Judge Lord Lake jailed the man after a jury found him guilty. "It is clear that your victims have suffered greatly," the judge said. "The effects on them have been long lasting and have been experienced over many years." Rob was sentenced to seven years in prison, placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, given a 20-year non-harassment order and a further six years on licence when he is released for his sexual offences.
The National
11-07-2025
- The National
Man jailed after setting dogs on other animals 20 times
Brandon Robb, 28, was sentenced after admitting a string of wildlife offences at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, with police describing his actions as 'despicable'. Robb filmed his Lurcher dogs as they hunted and preyed upon wild animals – including deer, rabbits, hares, a fox cub and a domestic cat – before uploading some of the footage to social media. READ MORE: How TRNSMT's gender balance is shaping up in 2025 – see the graphs Prosecutors said there were more than 20 separate incidents in 2022, taking place at night in woods and farmland around Perth and Batho, wildlife crime lead at the Crown Office, said: 'It is highly important to preserve Scotland's natural heritage, including the wildlife that forms part of it. As such, wild animals are given strict protection by our law. 'Brandon Robb's actions had no purpose or motive other than to fulfil his own desire to inflict pain and suffering on innocent animals. 'The shocking cruelty, quantity and frequency of these incidents will inevitably have had a detrimental effect on the local wildlife population. '(The Crown Office) takes the prosecution of wildlife crime extremely seriously and prosecutorial action will be taken if there is sufficient evidence, if it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so.' Constable Ben Pacholek of Police Scotland said: 'Immense suffering was caused by Robb to these animals. READ MORE: Police launch appeal for information after serious crash in Dundee 'During our inquiries, evidence was obtained from his mobile phone showing how he instructed his dogs to chase the animals and then encouraged them to keep attacking, resulting in horrific injuries and death. He also caused suffering to his own dogs.' He said the investigation was made difficult as the killings were carried out at night, making locations hard to identify. Constable Pacholek added: 'Through dedicated police work, the investigation team was able to show that Robb was responsible for his dogs causing unprecedented suffering over several weeks. 'He boasted about the prowess of his dogs and gloried in the suffering of the animals he ordered them to harm. His actions were despicable.'
STV News
11-07-2025
- STV News
Man who used dogs to abuse animals including pet cat jailed for 12 months
A Fife man who used his dogs to abuse animals, including the attack of a pet cat, has been jailed for 12 months. Brandon Robb, 28, pleaded guilty to 20 charges linked to the abuse of animals, mostly involving wildlife such as hares, dear, and even a fox cub. Appearing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Friday, Robb, who is already serving seven years in prison for a series of sex attacks on children in Fife when he was a teenager, was told his punishment for these offences would have been harsher had he not already been behind bars. Police uncovered a number of videos of Robb ordering his Lurcher dogs to attack the animals, believed to have taken place in woodland near his home in Leslie, Fife. Officers were first alerted by a member of the public to a video posted to TikTok in October 2022. It showed two dogs in a dark field attacking a hare while the man filming commentates over it, praising the dogs. Crown Office Brandon Robb filmed his pet lurcher attacking animals Police recognised the voice to be that of Brandon Robb, who had a long history of offending in Fife, leading to them obtaining a warrant to search his property. There they found his mobile phone which contained footage of a number of incidents involving animals. One of the most graphic videos showed a dog attacking a pet cat, while being urged on by Robb. A vet told the court the footage suggested the animal had suffered either a cardiac arrest or brain injury. Experts told the court that the video showed evidence of both the cat and the dog making noises suggesting they were both in distress. Robb's phone also contained incriminating text messages. Sheriff John MacRitchie descried Robb's behaviour as 'appalling offending' and told him: 'It is disturbing that you filmed your offending on your mobile phone.' The Sheriff handed down a prison sentence of a year. He said a sentence 'far in excess' of this would have been given had Robb not already begun serving a lengthy sentence. Robb will first serve his seven year sentence for preying on two girls and a boy between 2011 and 2015, followed by the 12 months. He then faces six years under supervision for the sex crimes. Sheriff MacRitchie also imposed an indefinite disqualification on Robb owning or working with animals. He said it was clear Robb could be considered a 'considerable danger' to animals. Ben Pacholek, Wildlife crime liaison officer with Police Scotland in Fife told STV News: 'I've been in the role for over five years now and reported a variety of wildlife crime offences. 'Certainly the seriousness and level of offending that was demonstrated by Brandon Robb was unprecedented. 'The levels of depravity were extreme to say the least.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Senior Dog Has Adoption Event After 1,000 Days in Shelter—No One Shows Up
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A senior Lurcher who has spent over 1,000 days in kennels had an open day arranged just for him—but nobody turned up. Despite being ready and willing to meet potential adopters, Flash, the 9-year-old dog, was led back to his kennel in Dogs Trust Darlington in England. Nikki Holroyd, the shelter's manager, told Newsweek: "It was sad but he enjoyed a lovely day out of his kennel having fun with staff. He is a very playful lad." Despite being much-loved at the shelter by staff, he has been forced to celebrate another birthday without a place to call home. Flash sitting on the sofa and smiling with his mouth open. Flash sitting on the sofa and smiling with his mouth open. Dogs Trust The staff recently threw him a birthday party with presents, playtimes and snuggles, marking his third birthday in kennels. They say they want to make sure he turns 10 with a family of his own. "Flash is a gorgeous boy who the entire team adores, so we are struggling to understand why he has yet to find his special someone having spent nearly three years in our care," said Holroyd in a statement. "In this time, he has only met one prospective adopter. He has many friends and admirers here at the rehoming center, but we need to find an admirer willing to offer him the forever home he deserves." She describes him as a "playful, goofy, loving, and quick as a flash when enjoying off-lead zoomies." "He has learnt many tricks with our training team, which he is happy to show off. He loves enrichment toys and games and laps up all the fuss and affection he can get from his canine carers," Holroyd said. "Without fail, he makes us smile every day, and he has so much to offer as a four-legged best pal." While he does need ongoing medical care, Flash refuses to let age slow him down. He was recently invited to a staff members home for a sleepover and they were not only impressed with his calm demeanor in the car but also in their home. "He enjoyed a sleepover with a member of our team, and he was the perfect house guest," Holroyd said in the statement. "Flash loved the companionship and was especially fond of snoozing on the sofa. "We are confident he will soon adapt to life in a home, so we appeal to anyone looking for a fun-loving four-legged friend to please get in touch and come and meet our boy Flash." Flash is classed as one of Dogs Trust's "Underdogs," a term used for dogs waiting more than six months for a home. Staff say he would do best in an adult-only household as the only pet, with a garden to stretch his legs and time to get to know his new family before moving in. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Adorable dog Bruno baffles rescue centre staff as no one wants to adopt him
The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home (CDCH) has released an adoption appeal for lovable Lurcher Bruno, who despite charming visitors on open days, has struggled to find his forever home Workers at a rescue centre are left perplexed after struggling to rehome a lovable Lurcher. The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home (CDCH) is putting out a heartfelt appeal for Bruno - a handsome, affectionate pooch who has been in the centre's care since November 2024. Despite his loving nature, Bruno has only received three adoption enquiries in over seven months, none of which led to a new home. The Lurcher, aged two years and four months, is adored by staff and volunteers at CDCH. Described as a "vest for life" kind of dog, he thrives on human affection, loves cuddles on the sofa, and melts hearts with his waggy-tailed greetings and gentle kisses at open days. His charm and sweetness have made him a firm favourite with visiting families, and the team can't understand why he continues to be overlooked. "Bruno truly is a people's dog," says Shannon Clark, animal care assistant. "He'd thrive in a family environment and would be a great companion for children. He's affectionate, loyal, and simply wants to be around people who will love him back." Like many dogs in their care, Bruno has faced a few behavioural hurdles - namely, barrier frustration. This means he can be reactive on the lead when he sees other dogs, simply because he's frustrated he can't greet them properly. With patience and consistent training, Bruno has already made several canine friends at the centre and enjoys going on walks with them. "Barrier frustration is very manageable with the right guidance," explains Ebony Poole, animal operations lead. "Bruno has made good progress. He just needs a family willing to continue that journey with him. In return, he'll give you his whole heart." Due to his sweet and friendly temperament, Bruno could happily live with children aged 8 and over. He must be adopted as a lone dog and not housed with cats. CDCH is urging potential adopters to look beyond initial labels and see the loyal, cuddly, people-loving soul behind Bruno's wagging tail. "After months of waiting, it's time Bruno finds the home he so deeply deserves," they added. Meanwhile, the RSPCA has today released shocking new figures that show a massive 33% annual increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period - fuelling fears of another crisis this year. The animal welfare charity has released the startling new statistics as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign - showing the side of this season which many people don't see - when animal cruelty reports peak. In June, July and August last year the RSPCA took 34,401 cruelty calls to their emergency line - compared to 25,887 the year before - up by a third. On average it took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during this period or one call every two minutes the line was open.
