SHAUN FUSSELL, LEE JONES, AND WILLIAM MORGAN FROM MERTHYR TYDFIL CONVICTED OVER ANIMAL CRUELTY INCIDENT INVOLVING A RAT AND MAKESHIFT CANNON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Merthyr Tydfil and garnered attention across the UK, three men—Shaun Fussell, Lee Jones, and William Morgan—were found guilty of heinous animal cruelty. The incident involved the brutal treatment of a live rat, which was subjected to a cruel and inhumane act that was captured on video and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including Facebook.

Shaun Fussell, born on February 5, 1988, residing at Woodlands Crescent, Quakers Yark, Treharris CF46 5AP, along with Lee Edward Jones, born on July 27, 1975, of Rhydfach, Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 4DJ, and William Christopher Morgan, born on March 2, 1981, of Upper Fforest Level, Mountain Ash CF45 4HR, were all implicated in this disturbing event. The footage showed the three men engaging in a sickening act where they captured a frightened rat using pliers inside a tyre fitting shop. The animal was then forcibly inserted into a pipe connected to an air compressor.

The video revealed that Lee Jones, often referred to by the nickname 'Sooty,' was seen firing the rat out of the pipe using the compressor, propelling it several metres into the air. The rat was launched with such force that it was seen flying over a neighbouring building, an act that caused widespread outrage and concern among animal welfare advocates and the general public alike.

Following the circulation of this footage, the RSPCA launched a public appeal for information, which proved highly effective. The organization received numerous calls from concerned citizens, with reports coming from as far away as Australia, all aiming to assist in identifying and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper expressed her outrage over the incident, emphasizing the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon the rat. She stated, “This was such a horrific case where this rat suffered unnecessarily. Even though some people see rats as vermin, they are still protected by law in certain circumstances. They are still living creatures that feel fear and pain. These men purposely attached a gas compressor and put the rat in a tube and fired it. They knew exactly what they were doing. We never found the rat, but it surely suffered extremely from the horrifying incident.”

In court, the three men received a sentence of a 12-month community order, which includes 180 hours of unpaid work each. Additionally, they were ordered to pay a total of £445 each in costs and charges related to the case. The conviction highlights the ongoing efforts of animal welfare organizations to combat cruelty and ensure that such acts are met with appropriate legal consequences, even in cases involving animals considered pests by some.

This case has sparked widespread condemnation and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal protection laws and the need for vigilance in preventing cruelty in all its forms.