Suspended jail term for Egremont man after dogs injured in fox fights

A FIELD sports enthusiast has been banned from keeping dogs after allowing his three Patterdale Terriers to suffer with horrific facial injuries from fighting with foxes.

Peter Bewsher, 35, failed to seek veterinary treatment for the Patterdale Terrier dogs, which were seized and found to have ‘significant’ injuries including missing teeth and wounds to the jaw. One of the dogs had lost the whole of its lower jaw.

Outlining the case at Workington Magistrates’ Court, Chris Toms, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said police and officers from the animal welfare charity carried out a warrant on Bewsher’s premises on February 14 this year.

They found a number of outbuildings and evidence which showed he was engaged in field sports. Three dogs were found with significant facial injuries. The dogs were seized and examined by a vet, who detailed the injuries as ‘significant’.

One of the Patterdale Terrier was missing the whole of its lower jaw (Image: RSPCA)

A red female terrier dog had a fresh skin tear that stretched to the lower jaw bone. A male dog had five teeth and the whole of its lower jaw missing. The third dog had facial injuries and fresh wounds to the jaw. There was an infection present in the skin wounds.

Bewsher was interviewed by police. He said the injuries had occurred through contact with foxes. He said he ‘didn’t believe in vets’ and had been treating the dogs himself.

Mr Toms said there had been significant injury to the three dogs over a prolonged period. He said the animals had been suffering and had not been treated.

He said the temperament of the dogs was to fight with foxes but the defendant hadn’t prevented them from doing so.

Clive Rees, defending, said: “This was a guilty plea on the first occasion. When we looked at matters, it was pretty clear he could have done more as far as these dogs are concerned.

“Having been brought up with terriers and having self-treated all his life, he did it the way he has always done it.

“He would take animals to the vet from time to time. His view of when they needed treatment was different to the rest of us who see that treatment should be an earlier option.

“There are exemptions under the hunting act to flush a fox from a hole.”

The injuries were sustained from the dogs 'flushing out' foxes from underground (Image: RSPCA)

Mr Rees said some foxes do not want to leave the hole and this can lead to a fight underground.

He told the court: “That’s what happened here.

“There are a large number of references from gamekeepers who say that Mr Bewsher was very helpful to them. What we have got is not somebody who is going out carrying out illegal acts. He is carrying out legal acts and failing to seek treatment afterwards.

“He was highly regarded for the help he gave for vermin problems. Foxes can be a nuisance to the agricultural community.

“He is highly regarded at work. He’s got some tremendous references. He works on one of the most dangerous rooms in the world at Sellafield that carries a high degree of responsibility.”

Mr Rees said the defendant had handed his dogs over to the RSPCA for rehoming and treatment. He added it was ‘quite unusual’ for that to happen in these circumstances.

The dogs were examined by a vet and were found to have 'significant' injuries (Image: RSPCA)

Bewsher had also handed over his firearms and firearms licence, the court was told.

Mr Rees said: “There has been a change in Mr Bewsher’s attitude towards field sports. He’s not going to do it anymore.

“He would be happy if you were to ban him from keeping dogs. He’s got no interest anymore.”

Bewsher, of Luchana, Greendykes, Egremont, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Passing sentence, magistrates imposed a 12-week custodial sentence suspended for two years. Bewsher was banned from keeping dogs for two years.

He must also pay £5,226 costs to the RSPCA and a £154 victim surcharge.