FREDERICK, ANGELA, ROBERT, LOUISE AND KIRSTY RUSSELL AND ABIGAIL MCHUGH SHOCKING ANIMAL ABUSE IN ABINGDON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Abingdon, a family involved in running a fraudulent animal rescue operation was found guilty of severe animal cruelty and neglect. The family members—Frederick Russell, his daughter Angela Russell, her son Robert Russell, her daughters Kirsty and Louise Russell, along with niece Abigail McHugh—operated what was falsely presented as an animal sanctuary on Faringdon Road, Abingdon, but in reality, it was a site of neglect, suffering, and financial exploitation.

Back in January 2012, a raid conducted by RSPCA inspectors uncovered the horrifying conditions at the so-called Crunchy’s Animal Rescue, located in Longworth near Abingdon. The inspectors described the scene as among the worst they had ever encountered. Dozens of animals, including 29 dogs, 13 horses, chickens, goats, cats, and ducks, were rescued from deplorable conditions. The animals were found living in filthy kennels and enclosures, many covered in their own urine and faeces, with inadequate bedding, food, and water supplies. Some animals were discovered in areas cluttered with rubbish, including bundles of barbed wire, metal frames from burned mattresses, and rusting vehicles, highlighting the extent of neglect.

Many of the animals exhibited untreated skin conditions, and some, such as a Shih Tzu dog with an eye problem, a duck, and a turkey, were in such poor health that they had to be euthanized. The conditions at the sanctuary were described as some of the worst seen by welfare officials, with animals living in squalor and danger. The inspection revealed that some animals had been entrusted to the family’s care temporarily by their owners, adding a layer of betrayal to the case.

One particularly heartbreaking case involved a dog named Winston, who was found living in appalling conditions at the Russell family’s sanctuary. In November 2011, Sandra Luker entrusted four golden retrievers, two cats, and a rabbit to Crunchy’s Animal Rescue, but only one dog and her cat were returned, raising questions about the handling and care of the animals.

The investigation also uncovered allegations of financial exploitation. The court heard that the family’s charity received generous donations from the public, which, according to the judge, were not used for the animals’ welfare. Instead, the charity was involved in selling puppies, kittens, and rabbits online, with Louise Russell playing a significant role in these transactions. Prosecutor Jonathan Coode described the case as one where the defendants showed no effort to improve the animals’ conditions over the years, despite warnings and inspections from authorities.

During the trial at Bicester Magistrates Court in April 2013, eight individuals associated with the sanctuary faced charges. Only Peter Russell and Daniel Bunyan were acquitted, while the others—Angela Russell, her father Frederick, her son Robert, her daughters Kirsty and Louise, her brother Peter, and niece Abigail McHugh—were convicted of multiple cruelty offences. These included failing to provide adequate nutrition, veterinary care, and parasite control.

Prosecutors detailed the appalling conditions, such as lice-infested horses left to forage in muddy, junk-filled fields, and rabbits, dogs, and goats confined in cramped, filthy spaces. Some animals had been temporarily entrusted to the sanctuary by their owners, trusting that they would be cared for properly. The case also revealed that the family attempted to conceal the death of a horse poisoned by Yew tree, which was found with debris in its stomach, and was suspected to have been planned for secret burial.

Sentencing was handed down by District Judge Tim Pattinson, who identified Angela Russell as the “prime mover” behind the neglect. He condemned the conditions at Crunchy’s as a “disaster,” describing it as a “sea of mud and faeces” filled with hazards. The judge emphasized that the suffering inflicted was in the name of a charity, which was a stark contrast to its true nature.

Both Angela and Frederick Russell received 26-week prison sentences and life bans on keeping animals. Frederick Russell’s sentence was suspended for 18 months due to his age, and he was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs. Robert Russell was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison with immediate effect and banned from owning or dealing with animals for ten years, until July 2023. Kirsty Russell was given a curfew order and fined £1,000, while Louise Russell received a 12-week suspended sentence, a curfew order, and a similar fine. Abigail McHugh was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

Frederick Russell, the patriarch of the family, has since passed away, and Robert Russell now resides in Fore Street, Bugle, St Austell, Cornwall. Angela Russell’s current whereabouts remain unknown. The case has left a lasting impact on animal welfare advocates and the community of Abingdon, highlighting the importance of vigilance and accountability in animal rescue operations.