MICHAEL MOUNTSTEPHENS FROM ELY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG LUNA IN CARDIFF
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Ely Animal Abuser
Michael Mountstephens, born on October 8, 1973, and residing at 23 Glyndwr Road in Ely, Cardiff CF5 4EE, has been convicted of animal cruelty following a disturbing case involving his dog, Luna. The incident, which garnered significant attention, centered around the severe neglect and mistreatment of Luna, a grey whippet/lurcher type dog, whose condition was so dire that it prompted intervention from the RSPCA and local authorities.
In December 2021, inspectors from the RSPCA responded to reports of a dog with a serious leg injury at Mountstephens' property. Inspector Julie Fadden arrived at the residence and was initially met with denial from two men present, claiming there were no dogs with leg injuries on the premises. However, upon further inspection, she was led to the back garden where Luna was confined in a dark, filthy kennel. The inspector observed the dog with an exposed metal plate on her right foreleg, which was attached directly to the bone, indicating a long-standing injury that had been left untreated.
Inspector Fadden described Luna’s condition as extremely distressing. The dog was visibly in pain, holding her right front leg up, and emitted a strong smell of infection from the wound. Her ribs and spine were clearly visible, suggesting she was underweight and neglected. The kennel was unclean, with faeces present and no proper resting area for the dog. When asked about Luna’s recent veterinary care, the men claimed she had been seen by a vet recently, and that Mountstephens was her owner. However, they could not specify which veterinary practice had treated her, and subsequent inquiries with local vets in Cardiff revealed no records of Luna having received surgery or treatment from any of them.
Faced with the evidence and the worsening condition of Luna, the men eventually agreed to allow her to receive urgent veterinary treatment after Inspector Fadden warned that she would call the police on her next visit. The veterinarian who examined Luna later that day confirmed that her owner was responsible for ongoing neglect. The vet noted that Luna was mildly lame, unable to bear weight on her right foreleg, and that the skin surrounding the exposed metal plate suggested the injury had been present for weeks or even months, causing prolonged suffering.
Following the veterinary assessment, police officers attended the veterinary practice and seized Luna, transferring her into the care of the RSPCA. An investigation was launched, during which initial claims suggested Luna might have been abandoned or dumped at the property, but later evidence confirmed Mountstephens as her owner. The RSPCA issued a warning to Mountstephens to contact Inspector Fadden within two weeks, or face the rehoming of Luna once she recovered. Despite multiple attempts to reach him in December 2021 and January 2022, Mountstephens did not respond, leading the RSPCA to proceed with rehoming Luna.
During her rehabilitation, Luna was fostered by RSPCA inspector Christine McNeil, who described her as a loving and sociable dog despite her ordeal. McNeil recounted that Luna enjoyed gentle walks to regain strength and loved relaxing on her sofa, enjoying soft furnishings. Luna was eventually adopted by a new family, where she is now thriving.
Michael Mountstephens appeared in Cardiff Magistrates Court in July 2022. The court was unable to establish that he was responsible for Luna’s suffering over the entire two-year period, but he was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering during the two months he acknowledged. He was acquitted of failing to meet Luna’s needs. The judge sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years due to his caring responsibilities, and ordered him to pay £500 in costs. Additionally, Mountstephens received a 12-month ban on keeping any animals.
Mountstephens is known to have a family, including his partner Julie Deaves and children, among them Joshua Mountstephens, who has a criminal record for dealing crack cocaine, and Cole Mountstephens, who has served time in a young offenders institution for car theft. The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the responsibilities of pet owners in Cardiff and Ely.
In December 2021, inspectors from the RSPCA responded to reports of a dog with a serious leg injury at Mountstephens' property. Inspector Julie Fadden arrived at the residence and was initially met with denial from two men present, claiming there were no dogs with leg injuries on the premises. However, upon further inspection, she was led to the back garden where Luna was confined in a dark, filthy kennel. The inspector observed the dog with an exposed metal plate on her right foreleg, which was attached directly to the bone, indicating a long-standing injury that had been left untreated.
Inspector Fadden described Luna’s condition as extremely distressing. The dog was visibly in pain, holding her right front leg up, and emitted a strong smell of infection from the wound. Her ribs and spine were clearly visible, suggesting she was underweight and neglected. The kennel was unclean, with faeces present and no proper resting area for the dog. When asked about Luna’s recent veterinary care, the men claimed she had been seen by a vet recently, and that Mountstephens was her owner. However, they could not specify which veterinary practice had treated her, and subsequent inquiries with local vets in Cardiff revealed no records of Luna having received surgery or treatment from any of them.
Faced with the evidence and the worsening condition of Luna, the men eventually agreed to allow her to receive urgent veterinary treatment after Inspector Fadden warned that she would call the police on her next visit. The veterinarian who examined Luna later that day confirmed that her owner was responsible for ongoing neglect. The vet noted that Luna was mildly lame, unable to bear weight on her right foreleg, and that the skin surrounding the exposed metal plate suggested the injury had been present for weeks or even months, causing prolonged suffering.
Following the veterinary assessment, police officers attended the veterinary practice and seized Luna, transferring her into the care of the RSPCA. An investigation was launched, during which initial claims suggested Luna might have been abandoned or dumped at the property, but later evidence confirmed Mountstephens as her owner. The RSPCA issued a warning to Mountstephens to contact Inspector Fadden within two weeks, or face the rehoming of Luna once she recovered. Despite multiple attempts to reach him in December 2021 and January 2022, Mountstephens did not respond, leading the RSPCA to proceed with rehoming Luna.
During her rehabilitation, Luna was fostered by RSPCA inspector Christine McNeil, who described her as a loving and sociable dog despite her ordeal. McNeil recounted that Luna enjoyed gentle walks to regain strength and loved relaxing on her sofa, enjoying soft furnishings. Luna was eventually adopted by a new family, where she is now thriving.
Michael Mountstephens appeared in Cardiff Magistrates Court in July 2022. The court was unable to establish that he was responsible for Luna’s suffering over the entire two-year period, but he was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering during the two months he acknowledged. He was acquitted of failing to meet Luna’s needs. The judge sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years due to his caring responsibilities, and ordered him to pay £500 in costs. Additionally, Mountstephens received a 12-month ban on keeping any animals.
Mountstephens is known to have a family, including his partner Julie Deaves and children, among them Joshua Mountstephens, who has a criminal record for dealing crack cocaine, and Cole Mountstephens, who has served time in a young offenders institution for car theft. The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the responsibilities of pet owners in Cardiff and Ely.