MASON MEDFORD HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN HAREHILLS LEEDS
| Red Rose Database
Harehills Animal Abuser
Mason Medford, born on November 17, 1999, and most recently residing on Clifton Grove in Leeds, became the focus of a disturbing animal cruelty case that shocked the local community. Medford, who has also gone by the nickname 'MK South' and styled himself as a 'gangsta' thug, was scheduled to appear before Leeds Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 15, 2018, to face serious charges related to the neglect and suffering of an innocent dog named Leo. However, he failed to attend the hearing, and the court proceeded in his absence, ultimately finding him guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.
According to court records, Leo was purchased for £100 by friends of Medford. The dog did not get along with the existing pet in the household, prompting the owners to seek the dog's return from the seller based in York. The seller refused to take Leo back, leading the owners to ask Medford if he would take the dog. On November 26, 2017, Medford took Leo into his home at Clifton Grove, bringing along a 25kg sack of dog food provided by a friend. Despite having the means to care for Leo, Medford's actions—or lack thereof—led to tragic consequences.
Medford later admitted to police that he had left Leo in the house for approximately two months after the dog had growled at him and displayed aggressive behavior. He claimed that he left Leo in the house because of this, and during that period, the dog was not fed or given water. It was only after social media coverage of the case that Medford handed himself in to authorities. The RSPCA prosecutor, Andrew Davidson, summarized the case poignantly, stating, “The case can be summed up very sadly but very simply. The defendant left Leo at the house in question, locked him in a room and never came back. He left him in the house without food and water and did not return to look after him at any point. When he finally did return, the dog was deceased.”
Further evidence was presented by housing officer Sarah Blackburn, who visited Medford’s residence multiple times due to concerns about the dog's welfare and the overall health and safety of the property. She described the conditions as “squalid,” with rubbish, clothing, and filth scattered throughout the house. The kitchen was in a particularly disgusting state, with faeces, urine, and blood splatters evident. The neglect was so severe that it prompted multiple visits from authorities.
Additionally, a statement from Emma Medford, Mason’s mother, was read aloud in court. She recounted visiting the house in January 2018 to collect clothes and being confronted with the appalling state of the property. She found Leo dead outside the bathroom, covered by a towel, and had not been to the house for several months prior. Emma urged her son to “do the decent thing” and bury the dog, which he failed to do. Leo’s body was later discovered in a suitcase at Harehills Cemetery on January 24, 2018.
Postmortem examinations confirmed that Leo had died from multiple organ failure caused by prolonged neglect. The veterinarian noted that Leo was “completely emaciated,” weighing only half of what a healthy dog of his size should, with an empty stomach and intestines. The examination revealed that Leo had suffered immensely, with the vet stating, “He would have suffered greatly after not being fed adequately for four weeks.”
Prosecutor Andrew Davidson emphasized the cruelty involved, stating, “For him to be dumped in a suitcase demonstrated how little the owner actually cared for him.”
Following his arrest, Medford, who has connections to Milton Keynes and Northampton, was brought before the court for sentencing. On Monday, August 20, 2018, he was detained on a warrant and appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court. The court sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, reflecting the severity of his actions and the community’s outrage over the case.
According to court records, Leo was purchased for £100 by friends of Medford. The dog did not get along with the existing pet in the household, prompting the owners to seek the dog's return from the seller based in York. The seller refused to take Leo back, leading the owners to ask Medford if he would take the dog. On November 26, 2017, Medford took Leo into his home at Clifton Grove, bringing along a 25kg sack of dog food provided by a friend. Despite having the means to care for Leo, Medford's actions—or lack thereof—led to tragic consequences.
Medford later admitted to police that he had left Leo in the house for approximately two months after the dog had growled at him and displayed aggressive behavior. He claimed that he left Leo in the house because of this, and during that period, the dog was not fed or given water. It was only after social media coverage of the case that Medford handed himself in to authorities. The RSPCA prosecutor, Andrew Davidson, summarized the case poignantly, stating, “The case can be summed up very sadly but very simply. The defendant left Leo at the house in question, locked him in a room and never came back. He left him in the house without food and water and did not return to look after him at any point. When he finally did return, the dog was deceased.”
Further evidence was presented by housing officer Sarah Blackburn, who visited Medford’s residence multiple times due to concerns about the dog's welfare and the overall health and safety of the property. She described the conditions as “squalid,” with rubbish, clothing, and filth scattered throughout the house. The kitchen was in a particularly disgusting state, with faeces, urine, and blood splatters evident. The neglect was so severe that it prompted multiple visits from authorities.
Additionally, a statement from Emma Medford, Mason’s mother, was read aloud in court. She recounted visiting the house in January 2018 to collect clothes and being confronted with the appalling state of the property. She found Leo dead outside the bathroom, covered by a towel, and had not been to the house for several months prior. Emma urged her son to “do the decent thing” and bury the dog, which he failed to do. Leo’s body was later discovered in a suitcase at Harehills Cemetery on January 24, 2018.
Postmortem examinations confirmed that Leo had died from multiple organ failure caused by prolonged neglect. The veterinarian noted that Leo was “completely emaciated,” weighing only half of what a healthy dog of his size should, with an empty stomach and intestines. The examination revealed that Leo had suffered immensely, with the vet stating, “He would have suffered greatly after not being fed adequately for four weeks.”
Prosecutor Andrew Davidson emphasized the cruelty involved, stating, “For him to be dumped in a suitcase demonstrated how little the owner actually cared for him.”
Following his arrest, Medford, who has connections to Milton Keynes and Northampton, was brought before the court for sentencing. On Monday, August 20, 2018, he was detained on a warrant and appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court. The court sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, reflecting the severity of his actions and the community’s outrage over the case.