Liam Jones of Tenterden Convicted for Illegally Docking Puppy’s Tail in Maidstone

LIAM JONES OF TENTERDEN CONVICTED FOR ILLEGALLY DOCKING PUPPY’S TAIL IN MAIDSTONE

Liam Jones, born around 1993 and residing in Shrubcote, Tenterden, Ashford TN30, was convicted in 2019 of illegally docking the tail of a 15-week-old cocker spaniel puppy named Max.

Max was found in High Halden with an elastic band tightly wrapped at the top of his tail, secured with crimping pliers, which caused the tail to become withered.

Jones admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a puppy by attempting to dock Max’s tail when he appeared before Maidstone Magistrates.

RSPCA Inspector Dave Grant explained that Max was rescued in July 2018: “When we removed Max from the home, he had an orange elastic band wrapped tightly around his tail.

It was 1.5 inches from the base of his tail, and the rest of the tail was withered almost to the point of falling off.

I touched his tail, and he yelped; he was obviously in pain.” Inspector Grant added that Jones believed he was doing the same method he used for docking lambs’ tails and saw no difference in applying it to Max.

Jones claimed that his previous dog had suffered a de-gloving injury, where the skin is torn away, and he wanted to prevent Max from experiencing the same.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, tail docking is illegal unless for medical reasons or specific working purposes, and then it must be carried out by a veterinarian before the puppy is five days old.

Although Mr.

Jones indicated that Max was intended to be a working dog, he was not registered with any relevant groups.

Inspector Grant stated, “He also admitted that he was unaware of the laws around tail docking and had used crimping pliers to apply the rubber band to Max’s tail.

Tail docking is illegal under the Animal Welfare Act.

It is a painful process, can affect how dogs communicate, and is often wholly unnecessary.

We do not believe any animals should be mutilated for cosmetic purposes, and that removing part or all of the tail should only be done for medical reasons.” Max has since been rehomed by the RSPCA.

Regarding sentencing, Liam Jones received a community order requiring 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity, including attendance at the RSPCA’s pilot intervention programme aimed at preventing reoffending.

He was also ordered to pay £385 in costs and charges and was disqualified from keeping dogs for two years, with the ban expiring in February 2021.