* GRAPHIC IMAGE WARNING *
A CUDWORTH man has been jailed after he ordered his dogs to attack a number of animals including deer, cats and wild birds.
Ben Bates, 20, of Darfield Road, filmed his dogs attacking the animals before boasting about his crimes on social media.
The videos sparked an investigation by the Naturewatch Foundation while an intelligence package was also sent to the police force who looked into the incidents.
After reviewing the deplorable images and footage, officers conducted a warrant at Bates’ address in May 2024.
Bates’ phone was seized, and when examined numerous photos and videos containing wildlife offences, showing a dog called ‘Billy’, as well as other dogs, attacking multiple cats, deer and hares on farmers’ land.
After digital forensic evaluation, it was found that most of these incidents happened in South Elmsall.
During the warrant, three dogs were also seized, disclaimed to the force and will be re-homed, as well as other items relating to hunting including stolen ‘no poaching’ signs from nearby farming land.
PS James Shirley said: “We take crimes against our rural communities extremely seriously, and are working with those in these communities to build more intelligence and gather information so we can continue to bring people before the courts.
“Recently, we have doubled our investment in training of officers in rural crime offences, and now have an officer trained in every neighbourhood policing team across the force.
“In cases like these, animals are subjected to the most horrific abuse, but local farmers are also affected.
“Their land and crops often get damaged as well as their livestock.
“The Barnsley North East NPT coordinated the investigation, pulling experts in from the RSPCA Special Ops team, the National Wildlife Crime Unit, and our dog liaison team.
“The investigation was a joint effort over many months and we hope this will send a clear message of our stance on those who take part in animal cruelty.”
The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to a number of charges at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court in February and has now been jailed for 20 months following a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.
The judge also ordered a disqualification order, meaning Bates can have nothing to do with animals for a minimum period of 12 years.
A seizure order was also placed against the dog ‘Billy’.
Chief inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, added: “I welcome the sentence of Bates, quite simply, no animal is safe around him.
“The level of cruelty and suffering he has inflicted for gratification is deeply disturbing, I am sure the public with be quite rightly shocked by this case.
“I would like to thank South Yorkshire Police for a thorough investigation that has taken this animal abuser off the streets.”
Image: An image recovered from Bates' phone.
