PETER MCCAULEY'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN OSWALDTWISTLE SHOCKS COMMUNITY

Peter Stuart McCauley, a resident of 23 Rhyddings Street in Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, has been convicted of a disturbing act of animal cruelty that has sent shockwaves through the local community. Born around 1992, McCauley's latest conviction adds to his troubling criminal record, which previously included offenses such as burglary and dangerous driving.

The incident came to light after footage emerged showing McCauley, along with his eight-year-old son, engaging in a cruel act involving a domestic chicken. The bird was tied to a tree in Oswaldtwistle, and McCauley was seen instructing his young son on how to shoot it with a crossbow. The video, which was later shared on social media, depicted a horrifying scene where the child fired multiple bolts at the defenseless animal, with McCauley guiding him throughout the ordeal.

According to court reports, the first two bolts fired by the boy bounced off the chicken, which was tethered by its leg. McCauley then moved the child closer to the animal, encouraging him to continue. On the third attempt, the bolt penetrated the chicken’s neck, causing it to suffer immensely. McCauley himself then fired another bolt, which also went through the bird’s neck. The court was told that McCauley proceeded to remove both bolts while the chicken was still alive, a clear indication of the animal’s ongoing suffering.

The entire incident was recorded by McCauley, who subsequently posted the footage on social media platforms, further demonstrating a blatant disregard for animal welfare. The RSPCA, represented by prosecutor Paul Ridehalgh, revealed that they received a complaint from a member of the public who had viewed the videos. The footage showed the chicken tethered to a tree in Oswaldtwistle, with both McCauley and his son holding crossbows and firing at the helpless bird.

Mr. Ridehalgh explained that McCauley could be heard instructing his son on how to shoot, and that the boy fired multiple bolts, with the third bolt successfully penetrating the chicken’s neck. A veterinarian who reviewed the videos confirmed that the bird was conscious and reacted with vocalizations and attempts to escape, indicating it was in pain and distress. The vet described the suffering as deliberate and noted that the bird died after experiencing significant pain.

During the investigation, it was observed that McCauley showed little remorse, and his cooperation with authorities was limited. It was evident that he did not believe he had done anything wrong, which further compounded the severity of his actions.

In court, Gareth Price of Forbe Solicitors, representing McCauley, argued that his client was dealing with mental health issues and had recently taken up keeping animals and growing vegetables on an allotment as a form of therapy. Price acknowledged that McCauley should not have involved his son in such activities and expressed regret for his actions.

Ultimately, McCauley was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, pay costs and charges totaling £528, and was banned from keeping animals for five years, a restriction set to expire in January 2026. This case has sparked outrage among residents of Oswaldtwistle and highlights the importance of animal welfare and the need for strict enforcement of laws protecting animals from cruelty.