Glemsford man banned from keeping dogs after terrier suffers serious jaw injuries on Wisbech farm

A man described as having a ‘deliberate disregard’ for his pet’s safety has been banned from keeping dogs after a terrier twice suffered serious jaw injuries.

Daniel Eldridge, 61, of Tye Green, Glemsford, pleaded guilty to three charges at Norwich Crown Court on Friday.

Of these, two counts related to a male Patterdale terrier in his care, named Spud, who suffered major injuries to his jaw consistent with bite wounds from a large mammal such as a badger.

Eldridge twice failed to seek vet care for for the dog, between December 1 and 4, 2021 and again on January 11 to 15, 2023, while at Marshland St James, Wisbech, the court was told.

A vet, who stood as a witness, said messages from Eldridge suggested Spud was being used in hunting activities involving digging.

The same vet concluded the injuries were avulsions – where skin is ripped away – of the lips and chin, with Spud suffering lack of pain relief for about three days.

A second witness vet told the court: “These injuries and their severity would have been obvious to any reasonable owner.

“I regard torn, crushed and infected wounds like these as extremely painful.

“The failure to seek veterinary treatment has resulted in him experiencing unnecessary suffering for a period of at least four days.”

The third charge against Eldridge related to him removing part of the tails of six puppies, which was documented in both videos and messages.

In mitigation, Eldridge’s defence counsel said the injuries happened during legal hunts, where dogs went underground to support shooting.

He also said Eldridge was of good character and suffered a brain injury in 2018 and that he may seek companionship from dogs in the future.

Spud has since been rehomed and recovered from his injuries.

Handing down the sentence, the judge said Eldridge had ‘deliberate disregard’ for the welfare of his dog.

Eldridge was banned from keeping dogs for two years, ordered to pay £1,000 in costs, and sentenced to a 12 month community order.

As part of this, he will have to 120 hours of unpaid work.

Following the conviction, Will Mitchell, RSPCA chief inspector, said: “The court heard how this dog had been deliberately put underground and his horrific injuries were likely caused by a badger.

“Not only does badger hunting involve barbaric cruelty against wildlife, but also results in traumatic injuries to the dogs involved.

“On this occasion the dog didn’t receive the correct veterinary treatment and was left to suffer.

“Eldridge also docked the tails of puppies, a painful and unnecessary procedure.”