RICHARD ATKINS'S CRUELTY IN SWADLINCOTE: DOG FIGHTING AND BADGER BATING HORRORS REVEALED

Richard Alan Atkins, born on June 12, 1967, and residing at 178 Oversetts Road, Newhall, Swadlincote DE11 0SW, became infamous for his involvement in brutal animal cruelty activities that shocked the local community and animal welfare organizations alike.

Atkins was convicted in 2012 for a series of heinous crimes involving the breeding and training of dogs for the purpose of hunting and attacking wild animals, specifically foxes and badgers. His actions included the deliberate creation of a violent environment where dogs were used as tools for illegal hunting, and he was caught on camera smiling gleefully while holding a still-living fox by the throat, a disturbing image that underscored the sadistic nature of his activities.

The court proceedings at Burton upon Trent magistrates on June 29, 2012, revealed that Atkins faced nine charges. These charges encompassed causing animals to fight, maintaining dogs for animal fighting, inflicting unnecessary suffering, and other offences related to animal welfare violations. The evidence presented was graphic and deeply disturbing, including footage seized from a digital video camera that showed Atkins’s involvement in illegal badger baiting and fox hunting.

One of the most harrowing images was of Patterdale terrier named Pudding, who had suffered severe injuries, including a mutilated face and blindness in one eye. Despite her injuries, Pudding was successfully rehabilitated and rehomed, but she later passed away. The footage also depicted Atkins holding a still-live fox by the throat, with bloodsports fanaticism clearly evident in his demeanor.

In addition to the footage, forensic examination confirmed Atkins’s voice in the background of the videos, linking him directly to the illegal activities. The videos showed his dogs, including Pudding and a bull lurcher-type, attacking badgers and foxes in separate incidents. One particularly gruesome clip captured a badger with its leg torn off, with Atkins and others laughing in the background, illustrating the cruelty and malicious intent behind these acts.

The dogs involved in these attacks suffered injuries themselves, and Atkins admitted to attempting to treat their wounds at home rather than seeking veterinary care, a move that further demonstrated his disregard for animal welfare. When police and RSPCA officers executed a warrant at Atkins’s residence, they found the injured Patterdale terrier and four other dogs believed to have been bred for fighting and hunting. Equipment used for baiting, digging tools, and searchlights were also confiscated.

Historical records show that Atkins had a prior conviction in 1999 for digging for a badger alongside Lee Robert Burton of Hartshorne. During that incident, three dogs with facial scratches and a freshly killed badger were discovered at the scene. The badger’s body was still warm, and the dogs immediately attacked a concrete badger placed in the front garden, highlighting a pattern of illegal and cruel activities.

As a result of his 2012 conviction, Atkins was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, and he received a lifetime ban on keeping all animals, along with the forfeiture of all his dogs and related equipment. The court emphasized the severity of his actions and the need to prevent further cruelty.

In a later incident in August 2021, Atkins was involved in a violent attack on two brothers, which resulted in him being jailed for 22 months. The attack occurred after a bitter family feud, with Atkins ramming their vehicle from behind, mounting the pavement to block their car, and then stabbing both men as they attempted to defend themselves. The assault was witnessed by a 12-year-old boy and members of the public. Judge Jonathan Bennett described the incident as horrific, noting that it could have resulted in more serious injuries, and imposed a seven-year restraining order preventing Atkins from contacting the victims and a third individual. This series of violent acts further tarnished his reputation and underscored a pattern of aggressive and dangerous behavior.