STEVE ALSTON'S BRUTAL DOG FIGHTING IN LITTLEBOURNE REVEALED

Steven J Alston, born February 1966 and residing on Pineside Road in Littlebourne, Canterbury, has been exposed for his involvement in heinous animal cruelty activities that spanned several decades. His actions included forcing his dogs to participate in fights against foxes and badgers, a barbaric practice that inflicted severe injuries on the animals involved.

Alston’s disturbing activities came to light after a series of silent emergency calls made to police from his wife’s mobile phone. These calls, initially dismissed as technical glitches, prompted police officers to investigate further. When officers arrived at the Alston residence in Pineside Road, they discovered a horrifying scene: three dogs with facial injuries consistent with bites from wild animals such as badgers or foxes. Some of these injuries were so severe that the dogs’ noses were nearly torn off, indicating the brutal nature of the fights they had been forced into.

Further investigation revealed that Alston had been using Patterdale terriers to hunt and fight wild animals, including foxes and badgers. Evidence uncovered during the police search included diaries detailing numerous fights between dogs and wild animals, some dating back several decades. It was also found that Alston had subjected his dogs to training on makeshift treadmills, ensuring they remained in fighting condition for these savage encounters.

In total, police seized eight terrier dogs, comprising both adult dogs and puppies. These animals were later handed over to the RSPCA, which took custody of them to ensure their care and rehabilitation. During questioning, Alston admitted to providing his dogs for baiting activities involving badgers and foxes, as well as neglecting to seek proper veterinary treatment for the injured animals. His wife, Lucyann Alston, faced charges related to these activities but was ultimately cleared of all allegations.

Inspector Cliff Harrison from the RSPCA’s special operations unit condemned Alston’s actions, describing them as a “sickening form of deliberate and premeditated animal cruelty.” He emphasized that the suffering was not limited to the wild animals targeted but also inflicted upon the dogs used in these barbaric acts. The inspector explained that the dogs were often placed in badger setts and fox earths, where they endured traumatic injuries during fights with wild animals.

Harrison stated, “No animal deserves to be used and treated in this way. I am pleased that the court clearly took a strong stance and has prohibited the defendant from owning a dog ever again.”

In sentencing, Steven Alston received a jail term of 160 days, along with a fine of £10,000. Additionally, he was handed a lifetime ban on owning or keeping animals, a measure aimed at preventing further cruelty. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and animal welfare organizations to combat illegal and inhumane animal fighting activities in the region.