DAVID BRADDON FROM LLANBRADACH SENTENCED FOR DOG FIGHTING AND ANIMAL CRUELTY IN CAERPHILLY

In a significant crackdown on illegal dog fighting activities, David Braddon, also known as Dai Brad, a resident of Llanbradach in Caerphilly, was found guilty of multiple charges related to animal cruelty and illegal dog training practices. The conviction followed a detailed three-day trial held in June 2010, during which Braddon was held accountable for owning and training dogs specifically for fighting purposes, possessing items used in such activities, and causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

Braddon, born on May 1, 1963, and a father of five children, owns a tattoo studio named Skin FX located in Bargoed, Wales. He is also known for his involvement in a white supremacist band, which adds a controversial dimension to his profile. The charges against him included the possession of five banned pit bull terrier dogs, which are prohibited under UK law due to their aggressive nature and history of use in dog fighting.

The investigation that led to his conviction was initiated on March 17, 2009, when officers from the RSPCA special operations unit, in collaboration with South Wales Police, executed a search warrant at Braddon's residence. The property, situated at 11 Glyn Llwyfen in Llanbradach, was thoroughly searched, revealing a disturbing scene. Four of the five dogs, all of the pit bull type, were found confined within an elaborate kennel setup in a garage at the rear of the property. The setup included a motorized treadmill and a manual treadmill, both equipped with attachments for dog collars—tools commonly used to train fighting dogs before matches.

Further inspection uncovered a refrigerator containing Duphacillin, an antibiotic typically only available through veterinary prescription, indicating possible attempts to treat injuries or infections sustained during fights. The authorities also discovered a set of weighing scales used to measure the dogs prior to fights, along with various literature on pit bulls and dog fighting, including a manual titled 'Dogs of Velvet and Steel,' known as the 'dog fighter’s bible.'

One of the dogs seized during the raid was named Otis. Otis matched descriptions and photographs found in magazines and fight reports seized by the RSPCA, and was recorded as having won two fights in the Pit Bull Year Book 2008. The dog bore 42 scars, a testament to the brutal fights it had endured, with another dog found at the property having 21 scars. These injuries highlight the violent and inhumane treatment inflicted upon these animals.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Mike Butcher expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, 'It is a major breakthrough for us to successfully prosecute someone like David Braddon. He is a major figure among the British dog fighting community, making it all the more pleasing to see him brought to justice.' He emphasized that despite the ban on dog fighting since 1835, a clandestine network of organized fighters continues to operate across Britain, engaging in some of the most barbaric acts of animal cruelty. Butcher reaffirmed the RSPCA’s commitment to dismantling these illegal operations and bringing offenders to justice.

Braddon’s personal life includes his partner Melony McElroy, who is also known by the name Kim Jones. He has five children: Emma (born 1984), Amy (born 1986), David James (born 1988), Nikki (born 1990), and Megan Rhian (born 2002). Notably, his son David James Braddon was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015 for murder.

Regarding his sentencing, Braddon was initially jailed for six months, but this was later reduced to 16 weeks on appeal. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and was disqualified from keeping animals for 15 years, a ban that will expire in July 2025. All five of the banned breed dogs found at his residence were ordered to be destroyed, marking a significant victory in the fight against illegal dog fighting and animal cruelty in the region.