CALLUM RUANE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO PUPPY IN WARRINGTON
Callum Ruane, born on June 8, 2001, of 10 Bewsey Road, Bewsey, Warrington WA2 7LW, was convicted in 2022 of systematic animal abuse, which he attributed to steroid addiction.He was observed on multiple occasions assaulting Dice, a four-month-old American Bully dog, at his former residence in Savannah Place, Great Sankey, Warrington.
Disturbing mobile footage captured by neighbor Susie Perry showed Ruane punching, kicking, and throwing Dice.
Perry reported the footage to the RSPCA.
Liverpool Crown Court heard during interviews at Ruane's mother’s house that he became tearful and claimed he attacked Dice because he had just completed a steroid cycle and his mental state was compromised.
Ruane pleaded guilty to the cruelty charge but initially claimed he had only abused Dice once; however, the RSPCA rejected this and he later admitted the full extent of the abuse.
He was also charged with cruelty to another dog, Kilo, which he denied, but this charge was left on file after his guilty pleas.
Prosecutor Carmel Wilde explained that neighbors Ms.
Perry and Kerry Liggett first raised concerns on September 25, 2021, after hearing a dog screaming.
Ms.
Perry looked through an upstairs window to see Dice in his crate and Ruane punching him in the head.
Liggett also heard a yelping sound and reported that Ruane had strangled Dice with a headlock and punched him.
They advised the RSPCA and were advised to gather video evidence.
On October 3, Ms.
Perry observed Dice escaping his crate and chewing items including a bag, money, and sunglasses.
Fearing Ruane’s reaction, she filmed the scene.
Initially, Phoebe Jones, Dice's owner and Ruane’s then-girlfriend, entered the room to clean up and appeared worried.
Later, Ms.
Perry again heard Dice screaming and saw Ruane beating him, with Dice being held off the floor by his head and neck.
Kilo, the other dog, was visibly agitated.
Footage showed Ruane throwing Dice into his crate, hitting him, and kicking him as he cried.
Additional videos captured Ruane using objects to poke Dice through a blanket-covered crate and pretending to offer affection before punching and choking him to re-enter the crate.
Inspectors confronted Ruane with this footage, and he confirmed his involvement, blaming steroids for making his head 'fucked.' He was tearful and expressed regret, stating, “if I could change it I would.” Both Dice and Kilo were removed from Ruane’s care.
Dice exhibited behavioral problems linked to the abuse, and vets found he was struggling to walk and diagnosed hip dysplasia, a genetic disorder.
The RSPCA considered his ongoing behavioral issues a danger, capable of causing serious injuries, and decided to euthanize Dice, though the abuse did not directly cause his death.
Defense lawyer Peter Gilmore emphasized that Ruane had no prior convictions and was young.
He explained that the abuse occurred while Ruane was abusing steroids, which he did not use as an excuse but as context, noting that Ruane’s anger was heightened and that he regretted his actions, now no longer using steroids.
Gilmore highlighted Ruane’s emotional distress over losing the dogs, stating he had loved them.
Judge Recorder Richard Leiper, QC, condemned the acts, describing the betrayal of trust in Dice's attempt to seek comfort.
He noted Ruane’s capacity for care and love increased the distress of his abuse.
Yet, citing a probation assessment’s suggestion of a 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation' and Ruane’s remorse and lack of prior convictions, the judge decided against immediate imprisonment.
Ruane was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, suspended for 12 months.
He was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of Rehabilitation Activity with the Probation Service.
He must pay £1,800 in prosecution costs and is banned from owning or controlling any animal for five years, a minimum disqualification of two years.
Additional background information revealed that Callum Ruane’s father, Paul Ruane, was involved in a major drugs and organized crime gang, with charges related to importing class A and B drugs in October 2019; the case's outcome remains unreported.
It was also noted that Phoebe Jones, who allowed the abuse to occur and did nothing to intervene, owns a beauty salon called 'Enhance by Phoebe Jones' located at 141 Bury New Rd, Whitefield, Manchester M45 6AA.
She has a significant social media following, including over 21,000 followers on her private Instagram account 'Faces by Phe,' and her Facebook business page and website are currently inactive.
