DOUGLAS PRICE FROM CLAYTON BUSTED FOR COCKFIGHTING AND ANIMAL NEGLECT IN BRADFORD

In a serious case of animal cruelty and illegal cockfighting, Douglas Price, a resident of Clayton, Bradford, was found guilty of multiple offences related to the neglect and abuse of birds used in fighting. The incident came to light in February 2022 when West Yorkshire Police and the RSPCA conducted a joint inspection at Price’s working farm located at Valley Farm, Low Lane, Clayton, Bradford BD14 6QA.

During the investigation, authorities discovered a disturbing scene: numerous hens and cockerels confined within makeshift pens that lacked basic necessities such as food and water. Many of these birds exhibited signs of severe neglect, including feather loss, injuries consistent with fighting, and in some cases, limping or swollen legs. The conditions of the pens were substandard, with some having no provisions at all for the animals’ care.

Further examination revealed that several of the cockerels had their combs cut, a common practice among those involved in cockfighting to prevent injury to the birds’ heads during fights. Mobile phone footage seized during the raid provided concrete evidence that Price was actively involved in training and keeping these birds for fighting purposes. The footage depicted scenes of sparring sessions, clearly indicating an unhealthy interest in animal fighting.

RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby, who led the investigation, described the scene: “All of the birds at the site appeared to be underweight, with feather loss on their chests, and most of them were bald in that area. Several birds had injuries, and some were unable to bear weight on one of their legs. Inside one of the wooden pens, there was a hen that was limping, and in a metal pen, a cockerel was limping with a swollen leg. Additionally, a hen inside a shed was also limping. Due to the numerous welfare concerns, I immediately contacted a veterinarian, who confirmed that many of these birds had been suffering unnecessarily.”

The veterinarian’s assessment confirmed that a total of 14 birds, including hens and cockerels, were in a state of neglect, with some suffering from injuries caused by fighting or poor care. Tragically, one dead cockerel was found at the scene, and on veterinary advice, three of the remaining birds were euthanized to prevent further suffering.

Ian Muttitt, chief inspector for the RSPCA’s special operations unit, emphasized the severity of the case: “Having investigated cockfighting offences for several years, I reviewed hours of footage from Price’s mobile phone. It was very clear that multiple sequences depicted cockfight sparring sessions. It’s evident that Price has an unhealthy obsession with cockfighting and was actively training these birds for fighting purposes.”

In court, it was revealed that Price, who has links to the travelling community, is illiterate and has no formal education. He is also the sole caregiver for his children and grandchildren. Despite these circumstances, the court found him guilty of animal neglect and cockfighting offenses.

The surviving birds were rescued and taken into the care of the RSPCA, where they were subsequently rehomed. As part of his sentencing, Price received a nine-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities, perform 100 hours of unpaid work, pay a victim surcharge of £128, and cover costs amounting to £400. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping hens and cockerels for a period of 12 months, which will expire in September 2024.