JOHN SAMPSON OF PENZANCE CONVICTED OVER CAT KILLING IN CORNWALL

In a disturbing incident that shocked the community of Penzance and the surrounding areas, John Sampson, a well-known figure associated with the Western Hunt, was found guilty of allowing his pack of fox hounds to kill a defenseless elderly cat named Mini. The tragic event took place outside the home of Mini's owner in Madron, Cornwall, in March 2021, and has since sparked widespread outrage and calls for legislative change.

John Sampson, who resides at Trelew Farm in St Buryan, was present during the attack along with his son Edward Sampson. Although Edward was not prosecuted, he was implicated in the aftermath of the attack when he callously threw Mini’s lifeless body over a fence into a neighbor’s garden. The incident was captured on a mobile phone by a neighbor, providing graphic evidence of the events that unfolded that day.

According to court proceedings, on the morning of March 6, 2021, Sampson, his son, and his son’s girlfriend were exercising a pack of approximately 21 hounds on horseback in the fields near the estate. The pack was from the Western Hunt, and they were following a scent through gorse and bracken. During this exercise, around six of the dogs broke away from the main group and entered a nearby cul-de-sac, where they proceeded to chase, catch, and ultimately kill Mini, a 14-year-old cat. The attack was brutal and swift, leaving the community in shock.

Witnesses, including neighbors Charlie Knight and Peter Nicholls, recounted the harrowing scene. Mr. Knight filmed the incident on his mobile phone, capturing the moment the dogs had Mini in their grasp. Mr. Nicholls, who spoke to Edward Sampson during the attack, described how he saw Mini fall from the nose of one of the dogs. Edward then scooped up the cat’s body and, without apparent remorse, flicked her over a fence into a neighbor’s garden. Mr. Nicholls recounted that he had to intervene with a walking stick, fearing the hounds might turn on him as well.

Further testimony revealed that Edward Sampson, holding a whip, was seen running away from the scene after the attack, apologizing to a neighbor named Carly and heading towards the kennels. The footage and witness accounts depict a scene of chaos, with the pack of hounds relentlessly pursuing Mini, who tried to escape by jumping over a fence before being mauled.

Post-mortem examinations confirmed that Mini died as a result of being grabbed and shaken by at least one of the hounds. Her injuries included a broken back and ribs, and although her suffering was described as relatively short, the trauma was severe. The incident drew condemnation from animal welfare advocates and the local community alike.

John Sampson faced charges of criminal damage and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public or private place. He was acquitted of criminal damage but found guilty of the latter charge. The court ordered him to pay a fine of £480, along with £350 in compensation to Mini’s owner, Ms. Carly Jose, £775 in court costs, and a £48 victim surcharge.

Outside the court, Ms. Jose expressed her outrage, stating, “The complete disregard for people’s animals, any animals, is just vile, utterly disturbing.” She lamented that Mini did not die with dignity, describing how her beloved pet was scared and thrown after her death. In response to the incident, Ms. Jose initiated a petition called “Mini’s Law,” advocating for a ban on hunts near residential and public areas. The petition garnered over 100,000 signatures, ensuring that the matter will be debated in Parliament.

Martin Sims, from the League Against Cruel Sports, condemned the incident, emphasizing the destructive impact of fox hunts on local communities, domestic animals, and wildlife across the UK. The case was further highlighted in media reports, including BBC News, Cornwall Live, and the Mirror.

In April 2022, the BBC reported that John Sampson’s appeal against his conviction was rejected by Judge Simon Carr, who described the death of Mini as a “violent death of a much-loved cat,” reaffirming the court’s stance on the severity of the incident and the importance of animal welfare laws.