Mon, 08 Jan 2018
The Isle of Man Constabulary says it takes animal cruelty and neglect very seriously after a man was fined £4500 for cruelty to dogs and illegally possessing two birds of prey.
The Douglas man was also banned from keeping any animal for 10 years after being found guilty at trial at Douglas courthouse.
The police and the MSPCA recovered the animals from an address in Douglas in August 2016.
Officers were looking for the birds following reports they were being kept in poor conditions without a licence, but also found dogs being kept in appalling conditions.
Both dogs were underweight with prominent back bones and being kept in a single downstairs toilet on a urine-soaked piece of foam with no food or water available.
Two hawks have been rehomed to a sanctuary in the UK while the dogs remain at the MSPCA with a view to being rehomed in the near future.
It's hoped the fine will send out a clear message that crimes against animals are taken seriously by Manx police.
Officers intend to continue to work with the MSPCA to ensure offenders like this are brought before the courts.