JOE BUCKTROUT OF CASTLEFORD SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG SASH A

Joe Bucktrout, born on July 11, 1998, residing at 65 Lumley Avenue in Castleford, has been found guilty of subjecting his pet dog, Sasha, to a prolonged and brutal campaign of abuse that resulted in severe injuries and suffering. Over a period of several months, Bucktrout inflicted multiple injuries on Sasha, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, including broken bones and cigarette burns, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of cruelty.

Authorities became involved after receiving recordings that captured Bucktrout shouting at Sasha, accompanied by loud banging noises and the dog’s screams. These recordings prompted an investigation by RSPCA inspectors, who visited Bucktrout’s address in Castleford. During the rescue, Sasha was found with numerous injuries that had not received veterinary attention, including dislocated hips, fractured ribs, and scars consistent with cigarette burns.

Specifically, Sasha had dislocated both hips, with her left hip being out of socket at the time of rescue. The veterinary team confirmed that these injuries had been untreated for some time. Additionally, Sasha had three fractured ribs in the healing process and severe scarring on her head, which veterinary experts identified as burns likely caused by cigarettes. The RSPCA inspector Vanessa Reid explained that Bucktrout initially claimed the first hip dislocation was accidental, caused by a mattress falling on Sasha in the garden, and that the second dislocation occurred when she fell down stairs while recovering from surgery. However, veterinary evidence contradicted his account, indicating that the injuries were the result of deliberate and repeated acts of violence against the dog. Bucktrout later admitted to this in court.

Following her rescue, Sasha was placed in the care of the RSPCA and has since been successfully rehomed, bringing some relief after her traumatic ordeal. Bucktrout faced charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to seek veterinary treatment. He initially denied the allegations but changed his plea to guilty during proceedings at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.

In sentencing, Bucktrout received an 18-week prison term for the physical abuse and a 10-week sentence for neglecting to provide veterinary care, with both sentences to run concurrently. He is expected to serve a minimum of nine weeks in custody, allowing for good behavior, followed by supervision on license. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and was disqualified from owning or keeping animals for life.

In a related case, Bucktrout’s former girlfriend, Victoria-Louise Chamberlain, born on September 6, 1999, of Mickle Court, Castleford, was convicted in her absence of two animal cruelty offences. On December 3, 2019, she received a sentence of 10 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was banned from keeping animals for life. The case was reported by the Pontefract & Castleford Express and the Daily Star.