Five year ban for Burnley man Jack Hindle after multiple animal welfare offences

Jack Hindle (23) of Avon Court pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences and two Badger Act offences, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

In December 2024, Inspectors and Animal Rescue Officers from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), alongside police officers, attended Hindle’s premises after being shown footage of his dogs - two lurchers named Doris and Woody - being involved in the fighting of wildlife. Hindle was not present at the time of the visit, but later handed himself in to Blackburn Police Station.

Speaking about the footage, which spans from January 2024 to May 2024, William Mitchell, RSPCA SOU Chief Inspector said: “[The footage involved] dogs hunting fox, hare, badger and deer … there was evidence that [Doris and Woody] had been used for hunting and I believed that those dogs had repeatedly been used for fighting with wildlife [including foxes and badgers] and received wounds as a result of those fights.”

The court also heard from a veterinarian, who also viewed the images and footage, and said: “On a number of dates, the dogs can be seen to be pursuing wildlife … the dogs engage with the wildlife, attacking and fighting without any attempt by their handlers to bring those dogs under close control or prevent them from attacking the wild animal. Such practice repeatedly exposes those dogs to injury.

“Two of the videos suggest that badgers were the subject of the hunting … two dogs can be seen to attack a badger, and no attempts are made to bring the dogs under close control or prevent the dog from continuing to attack the badger.”

The vet also described some of the video footage and the injuries sustained by Doris, including “a skin laceration to the front of the left thigh area” and “[the fifth toe on the right front paw] has a full skin thickness skin laceration with the skin torn outwards exposing the underlying tendons.”

RSPCA CI Mitchell also described a series of video evidence, either sent to Hindle, or thought to have been created on his phone. These included videos showing “injuries to Doris … consistent with possible hunting related injuries” with further footage showing “Hindle alluding to being involved with baiting badgers”.

Doris and Woody were taken into possession of the police in December 2024

In mitigation, the length of time since the offences took place was referred to, as well as the fact that Hindle has no previous offences. His youth was also referenced as a mitigating factor, as well as the fact that he has autism.

Alongside the five-year ban, Hindle was also handed a 12-month community order and must complete 15 rehabilitation days. The defendant was also ordered to pay £600 in costs, a fine of £80 and a £32 surcharge.

Speaking after sentencing, CI Mitchell said: “The impact on both wildlife and dogs in this case is extremely upsetting.

“All animals deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion and this result should act as a warning that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”