Found - Dog owner caught on CCTV dumping lame pet

Sky News

Council bosses are asking for help to trace a dog owner who was caught on camera dumping his lame pet.

CCTV footage shows the man taking the animal for a walk next to an industrial estate in Weymouth, Dorset.

But a few minutes later he turns heel and marches back to his car, leaving the dog limping slowly behind him.

The final frames of the footage show the Shetland-cross terrier looking on as her owner drives off in a metallic blue Kia Rio.

The distressing incident was witnessed by staff in office blocks overlooking the car park.

Steve Sudworth, of British Marine Technology, told The Sun: "I happened to see the man and dog walk towards the woods behind our building but didn't think anything of it.

"After a few seconds I saw the man walking very fast back to the car and he jumped in.

"I thought he was going to shout for the dog but the car started reversing and pulled out of the car park fast.

"The dog tried to follow the car but couldn't because of the limp."

A vet said the dog, nicknamed Ginger, was limping because her claws needed trimming.

She is being looked after by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

The maximum sentence for causing a dog unnecessary suffering is six months in prison and/or a £20,000 fine.

:: Anyone with any information on the owner should call Weymouth and Portland Borough Council on 01305 838009.

These affronts to 'man's best friend' have always been with us and until the penalties for abuse are applied vigorously and regularly, I suppose they always will be. It finally comes down to the courts to put a stop to animal abuse, by appointing real people to sit on the bench not the semi-comatose coffin dodgers that are so prevalent in our judicial sysrem at present.

How heartless is that? I hope they get him and and throw the book at this
excuse for a human being. I have no doubt 'Ginger' will find a loving home
and family.

Like most dogs, Ginger was very trusting of her owner and I thought it was so sad that her tail was still wagging as the car drove off.

AnnaEsse wrote:Like most dogs, Ginger was very trusting of her owner and I thought it was so sad that her tail was still wagging as the car drove off.

Oh god, me too, Anna. I was in tears watching that CCTV footage!
I hope they throw the book as this guy when he's caught

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/201206/Found-The-owner-of-Ginger-the-lame-dog-dumped-on-roadside



AS he swigs on a beer, this is the owner of Ginger, the lame dog who was dumped by a roadside and abandoned to her fate, to the nation’s horror.

Andrew Shepherd, 48, last night refused to come to his door to explain how his Shetland cross terrier was left alone and terrified hundreds of miles away in Dorset.

He only opened the door of his council house to allow in a team of Lancashire Police community support officers.

But the Daily Express has tracked down the woman who drove the car used to dump the dog. Last night she admitted she was “petrified” of being prosecuted on animal cruelty charges.

Jenny Hadfield, who lives on the same council estate in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancs, said: “Ok, I was behind the wheel of the car. I was driving.

“I didn’t ask for all this trouble. It’s my friend Shep’s dog – not mine, but I was there. I’m very sorry. I’m just glad the dog was found.

“I’ve never been in trouble before. I don’t want to get in trouble – I’m petrified.”

Millions of people were appalled by CCTV pictures of a man – who is understood to be one of Mr Shepherd’s friends – luring the dog to grassland before racing off in a metallic blue car. Hundreds of dog- lovers have contacted officials in Weymouth, offering to adopt the dog dubbed Ginger, but whose name is now known to be Brandy, and give her a home.

RSPCA and council investigators yesterday said a full inquiry was under way.

The Daily Express understands that Mr Shepherd is a recovering alcoholic, who has lived on benefits in the past, when unable to carry out work at his roofing firm.

Neighbours said Mr Shepherd and Brandy were well-known on the estate, with Mr Shepherd described as “dirty, skinny, with long, lank hair” with a large “red wine stain” birth mark on his face and “a Jesus complex”.

One neighbour said: “The dog was lame, and hobbled about. Lots of people round here won’t be very happy.”

A friend claimed that Mr Shepherd, Ms Hadfield, her ex-husband and another close friend travelled to Weymouth last week for a caravan holiday.

The dog’s claws were growing into her paws so she could only limp in great pain.

We understand that patience was lost with the dog after she nibbled a nine-year-old boy’s leg, so a decision was taken to dump her last Thursday and return to Lancashire. The scene was caught on CCTV, and later shown on TV across the world.

The incident was also witnessed by staff in nearby offices, who rescued Brandy.

She is being looked after by Weymouth dog handlers.

A council spokesman said: “We would like to thank the Daily Express for their assistance in this ongoing inquiry which we hope will lead to the prosecution of anyone who broke the law.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “This is now an ongoing investigation so we cannot give details of our operation.

“We will be speaking to those whose names have become known to us.”

AnnaEsse wrote:http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/201206/Found-The-owner-of-Ginger-the-lame-dog-dumped-on-roadside



AS he swigs on a beer, this is the owner of Ginger, the lame dog who was dumped by a roadside and abandoned to her fate, to the nation’s horror.

Andrew Shepherd, 48, last night refused to come to his door to explain how his Shetland cross terrier was left alone and terrified hundreds of miles away in Dorset.

He only opened the door of his council house to allow in a team of Lancashire Police community support officers.

But the Daily Express has tracked down the woman who drove the car used to dump the dog. Last night she admitted she was “petrified” of being prosecuted on animal cruelty charges.

Jenny Hadfield, who lives on the same council estate in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancs, said: “Ok, I was behind the wheel of the car. I was driving.

“I didn’t ask for all this trouble. It’s my friend Shep’s dog – not mine, but I was there. I’m very sorry. I’m just glad the dog was found.

“I’ve never been in trouble before. I don’t want to get in trouble – I’m petrified.”

Millions of people were appalled by CCTV pictures of a man – who is understood to be one of Mr Shepherd’s friends – luring the dog to grassland before racing off in a metallic blue car. Hundreds of dog- lovers have contacted officials in Weymouth, offering to adopt the dog dubbed Ginger, but whose name is now known to be Brandy, and give her a home.

RSPCA and council investigators yesterday said a full inquiry was under way.

The Daily Express understands that Mr Shepherd is a recovering alcoholic, who has lived on benefits in the past, when unable to carry out work at his roofing firm.

Neighbours said Mr Shepherd and Brandy were well-known on the estate, with Mr Shepherd described as “dirty, skinny, with long, lank hair” with a large “red wine stain” birth mark on his face and “a Jesus complex”.

One neighbour said: “The dog was lame, and hobbled about. Lots of people round here won’t be very happy.”

A friend claimed that Mr Shepherd, Ms Hadfield, her ex-husband and another close friend travelled to Weymouth last week for a caravan holiday.

The dog’s claws were growing into her paws so she could only limp in great pain.

We understand that patience was lost with the dog after she nibbled a nine-year-old boy’s leg, so a decision was taken to dump her last Thursday and return to Lancashire. The scene was caught on CCTV, and later shown on TV across the world.

The incident was also witnessed by staff in nearby offices, who rescued Brandy.

She is being looked after by Weymouth dog handlers.

A council spokesman said: “We would like to thank the Daily Express for their assistance in this ongoing inquiry which we hope will lead to the prosecution of anyone who broke the law.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “This is now an ongoing investigation so we cannot give details of our operation.

“We will be speaking to those whose names have become known to us.”

With the services that the PDSA offer this is just it is just so unnecessary.

BrainFreeze wrote:

AnnaEsse wrote:http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/201206/Found-The-owner-of-Ginger-the-lame-dog-dumped-on-roadside



AS he swigs on a beer, this is the owner of Ginger, the lame dog who was dumped by a roadside and abandoned to her fate, to the nation’s horror.

Andrew Shepherd, 48, last night refused to come to his door to explain how his Shetland cross terrier was left alone and terrified hundreds of miles away in Dorset.

He only opened the door of his council house to allow in a team of Lancashire Police community support officers.

But the Daily Express has tracked down the woman who drove the car used to dump the dog. Last night she admitted she was “petrified” of being prosecuted on animal cruelty charges.

Jenny Hadfield, who lives on the same council estate in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancs, said: “Ok, I was behind the wheel of the car. I was driving.

“I didn’t ask for all this trouble. It’s my friend Shep’s dog – not mine, but I was there. I’m very sorry. I’m just glad the dog was found.

“I’ve never been in trouble before. I don’t want to get in trouble – I’m petrified.”

Millions of people were appalled by CCTV pictures of a man – who is understood to be one of Mr Shepherd’s friends – luring the dog to grassland before racing off in a metallic blue car. Hundreds of dog- lovers have contacted officials in Weymouth, offering to adopt the dog dubbed Ginger, but whose name is now known to be Brandy, and give her a home.

RSPCA and council investigators yesterday said a full inquiry was under way.

The Daily Express understands that Mr Shepherd is a recovering alcoholic, who has lived on benefits in the past, when unable to carry out work at his roofing firm.

Neighbours said Mr Shepherd and Brandy were well-known on the estate, with Mr Shepherd described as “dirty, skinny, with long, lank hair” with a large “red wine stain” birth mark on his face and “a Jesus complex”.

One neighbour said: “The dog was lame, and hobbled about. Lots of people round here won’t be very happy.”

A friend claimed that Mr Shepherd, Ms Hadfield, her ex-husband and another close friend travelled to Weymouth last week for a caravan holiday.

The dog’s claws were growing into her paws so she could only limp in great pain.

We understand that patience was lost with the dog after she nibbled a nine-year-old boy’s leg, so a decision was taken to dump her last Thursday and return to Lancashire. The scene was caught on CCTV, and later shown on TV across the world.

The incident was also witnessed by staff in nearby offices, who rescued Brandy.

She is being looked after by Weymouth dog handlers.

A council spokesman said: “We would like to thank the Daily Express for their assistance in this ongoing inquiry which we hope will lead to the prosecution of anyone who broke the law.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “This is now an ongoing investigation so we cannot give details of our operation.

“We will be speaking to those whose names have become known to us.”

With the services that the PDSA offer this is just it is just so unnecessary.

You're right, BrainFreeze. Years ago, when I was a lone-parent on benefits, the PDSA looked after my cat, for which I am still very grateful.

No one could possibly condone this sort of treatment of an animal regardless of the "excuse" there is always help from charitable rescue homes.

One thing does actually occur to me though - it's possible more obnoxious crimes like this could happen. The RSPCA gave a statement about it back in April because so many dogs/cats still remain to be re-homed they cannot take any more in.

Angelique