Mountain Ash couple banned from keeping animals for life

A Welsh couple have been handed lifetime bans from keeping animals after admitting a series of animal welfare offences at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court.

Christopher Michael Pillage, of Perthcelyn, Mountain Ash, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a male Jack Russell terrier named Snoopy by kicking and hitting the dog. His wife, Julie Pillage, also from Perthcelyn, faced joint charges for failing to provide veterinary care to Snoopy for dental disease and a skin condition. Both pleaded guilty to failing to provide a suitable diet for a female Jack Russell terrier named Ruby.

On December 10, both Mr and Mrs Pillage were disqualified from keeping all animals for life.

Mr Pillage received a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a 15-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. He was also ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Mrs Pillage was fined £300 and ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

RSPCA footage presented in court showed Mr Pillage kicking Snoopy and, on a separate occasion, hitting him. This led to the seizure of Snoopy, a 15-year-old deaf and partially blind dog with a skin condition, and Ruby, an 11-year-old overweight dog.

A vet described the footage shown in court. He said: “A male comes out of the house and without saying anything swings his leg towards where the dog is with force and a thudding sound is heard. In the second video the same dog – as was involved in the first incident – was again out in the garden sniffing around quietly. The same male comes out of the house walks over to the dog without saying anything, leans down and swings his arm with force contacting the rump of the dog with again a thudding noise heard, propelling the dog sideways staggering and almost falling over.”

Both dogs were signed into RSPCA care following an examination on July 9. Snoopy was later found to have cancer and was euthanised. Ruby, who suffered no major health issues apart from obesity, has since been rehomed.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said: “All animals deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.”