WALSALL MAN STEPHEN PARKES CAUGHT DOG FIGHTING AND FOX HUNTING IN GOSCOTE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Walsall, Stephen Thomas Parkes, born on September 29, 1981, and residing on Bloxwich Road, Walsall WS3 2XE, was found guilty of heinous animal cruelty and illegal hunting activities. The incident unfolded in November 2015 on waste ground in Goscote, Walsall, where police uncovered a gruesome scene involving dead foxes and injured dogs.

Police reports detail that officers responded to reports of suspicious activity on Goscote Lodge Crescent, Goscote, around 5:30 pm on November 29. Upon arrival, they observed a Ford Mondeo parked on the wasteland, with two dogs inside that had blood around their muzzles. Approaching the vehicle, officers encountered a group of approximately eight men armed with torches. When police identified themselves, the group dispersed quickly, fleeing the scene. However, Parkes and another man remained, both holding spades, which raised suspicion.

On the ground, officers discovered two dead foxes, notably with their tails cut off—a clear indication that they had been taken as trophies. The scene was grim and suggested illegal hunting activities. Further investigation revealed that Parkes was involved in fox hunting, a practice prohibited under the 2004 Hunting Act. During court proceedings, Parkes admitted to police that he had told them, “Yeah, I will hold my hands up — I was fox hunting,” though he later claimed this was said sarcastically.

Parkes explained that he had taken his two dogs, Ted and Bully, for a walk and had let them off the lead. When Bully went missing, he sent Ted to find her. Unfortunately, both dogs failed to return, prompting Parkes to spend several hours digging in an attempt to locate them. He insisted that he loved his dogs and would never have taken them home injured, emphasizing that he had two young daughters who would be upset if they saw their pets hurt. He stated he intended to take the injured dogs directly to the vet in Quinton.

Veterinary examinations confirmed that both dogs had multiple small wounds on their muzzles and signs of eye infections. Postmortem analysis of the foxes revealed injuries consistent with dog bites, confirming that the foxes had been attacked by the dogs. The case also uncovered that Parkes had a prior conviction dating back to 2004 for interfering with a badger sett, indicating a long history of illegal animal activities.

District Judge Neil Davison presided over the case and expressed skepticism about Parkes’s account. He stated, “I simply don’t believe the account you have given in court. You deliberately sent those two dogs into the hole which resulted in the deaths of two foxes and injuries to Ted and Bully. From photographs shown in court, you clearly have an interest in hunting.”

Following the conviction, RSPCA Inspector Bob Crutchley commented on the case, saying, “We are happy with the sentence. This sends out a clear message that fox hunting using dogs will not be tolerated. Parkes had a history of hunting using dogs, and we are pleased he has now been banned from keeping them.”

As part of the court’s ruling, a deprivation and disposal order was issued for Ted and Bully, ensuring they would not be returned to Parkes. He was fined £210 and ordered to pay £270 in court costs. Additionally, he was banned from keeping dogs for one year, a ban that expired in October 2017. This case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal hunting practices in the Black Country and Birmingham areas, with authorities emphasizing the importance of vigilance and enforcement to prevent such cruelty.