DANIEL BOWD'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN STOKE-ON-TRENT AND LEIGH

Daniel Mark Bowd, born on October 12, 1991, and residing at Old Stores Cottage, School Lane, Lower Leigh, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4SS, was found guilty of severe animal neglect and cruelty. His actions, which involved keeping dogs, pigs, and cattle in deplorable conditions, have shocked the local community and highlighted serious welfare violations.

In January 2019, Staffordshire County Council authorities executed a raid on Bowd's smallholding located on Raddle Lane, Leigh, near Uttoxeter, after receiving a credible tip-off about the state of the animals. The inspection uncovered a distressing scene: five dogs confined within pens that were heavily contaminated with faeces and urine, indicating a complete neglect of basic hygiene and animal care standards. The dogs showed signs of physical trauma, including scratches and damaged ears, suggesting they had been involved in fights or had been subjected to rough handling.

Furthermore, the inspection revealed that the pigs and cattle on the property were suffering from severe deprivation. They had no access to food or water, and there was a stark absence of dry lying areas, which are essential for their comfort and well-being. In a disturbing find, the officers discovered pig skulls and smaller animal skulls scattered across a field, alongside a blood-covered pig that had been consuming a dead pig, illustrating the horrific conditions and the animals' desperate state.

Prosecutor Khalid Mahmood described the scene at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre, stating, “A small pig had a blood-covered face as it had been eating the dead pig that was inside the pen. The officers then went looking in the pen and found skulls of dead pigs. The officers also saw cattle with no food or water, and there was no dry lying area for them. Similarly, there was no dry lying area for any other animals.”

In addition to the neglect of livestock, RSPCA officers examined the dogs and found evidence of severe mistreatment. The animals had wood lodged in their rectums, and their internal organs appeared empty, indicating malnutrition. The dogs also bore scars and injuries consistent with fighting or abuse.

During interviews, Bowd admitted to being approximately £60,000 in debt and explained that he was working 14 hours daily on a self-employed basis just to keep himself afloat financially. His financial struggles appeared to have contributed to the neglect of his animals, as highlighted by his inability to provide proper care.

Legal representatives for Bowd, including Lucy Taylor-Grimes, argued that he was overwhelmed by the volume of animals and the financial burden, stating, “He just couldn't keep up with the volume of food that the animals needed.”

Bowd pleaded guilty to multiple animal welfare offences, including neglecting pigs and dogs, failing to dispose of animal bones properly, neglecting to keep a register of his cattle, and not maintaining accurate veterinary medicine records for his livestock. The court took these violations seriously, leading to a sentencing that included an 18-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, and an order to pay £1,615 in court costs. Additionally, Bowd was handed a lifetime ban on keeping pigs, cattle, and dogs, with the possibility of review after five years to assess whether he can responsibly care for animals again.

This case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the need for vigilant enforcement to prevent such cruelty from occurring in the future, especially in areas like Stoke-on-Trent and Leigh where community concern has been heightened by these revelations.