MAEA MACDONALD, LEEDS BACKYARD BREEDER AND HUNTING WITH DOGS OFFENDER, SENTENCED IN 2025
| Red Rose Database
Leeds Animal Abuser
Maia Macdonald, born circa 2001 and residing at 54 Ley Lane, Leeds LS12 2HN, has been convicted in 2025 for cruelty involving dogs and wildlife persecution. Known on social media under the pseudonym Charlie Ron Harewood, Macdonald received only a financial penalty despite evidence of severe cruelty.
An RSPCA Special Operations Unit (SOU) investigation uncovered 17 dogs—including bull breeds, mastiffs, and lurchers—kept in enclosures behind Macdonald’s family home in Armley, Leeds. Among the dogs, a bull breed had an ugly jaw wound requiring veterinary care, and a bull lurcher had an ear infection—both left untreated.
A SOU spokesperson explained: “We entered the rear of the property and found 17 dogs living in various kennels. The whole area smelled strongly of urine and faeces. Several of the runs were smeared with blood where the dogs had been injured, and a treadmill used to exercise the animals was soiled with dog mess. A bull breed was bloodied from trying to push through an aluminium partition, and a Tibetan mastiff was heavily matted. Another bull had a degloving injury.”
Macdonald, who has family ties to the Workington area of Cumbria, admitted to five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 involving four dogs—three bull breeds and one Tibetan mastiff. Four of these offences related to failure to provide prompt or effective veterinary care, and the fifth pertained to inadequate living conditions.
During mitigation, it was argued that many of the dogs appeared well-fed, clean, and had access to water. The SOU spokesperson noted: “This conviction involved a very carefully-planned operation by the RSPCA and West Yorkshire Police. We are pleased with the outcome, and the penalty reflects the serious nature of the offences and the neglect of several dogs.”
The RSPCA has successfully rehomed one bull breed and the mastiff, while another bull is currently being assessed for rehoming. Unfortunately, the bull with the jaw wound had to be euthanized.
In sentencing, Macdonald was ordered to pay a total of £1,450 in fines and other financial penalties. He is also banned from keeping all animals for ten years, with the ban expiring in March 2035.
This case was covered by the Yorkshire Evening Post and LeedsLive.
An RSPCA Special Operations Unit (SOU) investigation uncovered 17 dogs—including bull breeds, mastiffs, and lurchers—kept in enclosures behind Macdonald’s family home in Armley, Leeds. Among the dogs, a bull breed had an ugly jaw wound requiring veterinary care, and a bull lurcher had an ear infection—both left untreated.
A SOU spokesperson explained: “We entered the rear of the property and found 17 dogs living in various kennels. The whole area smelled strongly of urine and faeces. Several of the runs were smeared with blood where the dogs had been injured, and a treadmill used to exercise the animals was soiled with dog mess. A bull breed was bloodied from trying to push through an aluminium partition, and a Tibetan mastiff was heavily matted. Another bull had a degloving injury.”
Macdonald, who has family ties to the Workington area of Cumbria, admitted to five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 involving four dogs—three bull breeds and one Tibetan mastiff. Four of these offences related to failure to provide prompt or effective veterinary care, and the fifth pertained to inadequate living conditions.
During mitigation, it was argued that many of the dogs appeared well-fed, clean, and had access to water. The SOU spokesperson noted: “This conviction involved a very carefully-planned operation by the RSPCA and West Yorkshire Police. We are pleased with the outcome, and the penalty reflects the serious nature of the offences and the neglect of several dogs.”
The RSPCA has successfully rehomed one bull breed and the mastiff, while another bull is currently being assessed for rehoming. Unfortunately, the bull with the jaw wound had to be euthanized.
In sentencing, Macdonald was ordered to pay a total of £1,450 in fines and other financial penalties. He is also banned from keeping all animals for ten years, with the ban expiring in March 2035.
This case was covered by the Yorkshire Evening Post and LeedsLive.