No Police Investigation In XL Bully Pup’s Death in Bexleyheath
The RSPCA has released an appeal after the “bloodstained” body of a dead XL Bully puppy was found in Bexleyheath just days before a ban on the breed begins.
The young female dog – believed to be just six to nine months old – was discovered in a large metal crate on a patch of grass in Halcot Avenue last Wednesday (17 January).
She had a severe head injury, which vets deemed to be caused by “blunt force”, and blood coming from her mouth and backend.
It comes just a week before a ban on the dog breed comes into effect.
The RSPCA has launched an investigation amid concerns that the injuries were caused “deliberately”.
Kirsten Ormerod, an inspector at the animal charity, said: “We believe the poor dog was transported to the grassy patch in Halcot Avenue inside the crate sometime between 4.30pm and 6.15pm last Wednesday 17th January 2024.
“It’s incredibly upsetting that her bloodstained body was dumped so carelessly in a residential area.
“It must have been a shocking discovery to make.
“At this stage we have no idea how this poor dog has sustained such a head injury, but I’m deeply concerned that it may have been caused deliberately.”
Ms Ormerod added that the black metal crate the puppy was found in was covered in faeces and urine.
The crate also had a beige sheet thrown over the top of it, with pink twine used to tie it shut.
Vicki Hudson, founder of Missing Paw UK, took the animal to be assessed by a Thamesmead vet.
Vicki said that a local resident had parked their vehicle on Halcot Avenue with no sign of the dog or crate in sight around 4.30pm.
The sad discovery of the dog’s body was made later by another resident walking their own pet at around 6.15pm.
Vicki told the UKNIP: “What is also puzzling me is that they obviously wanted her to be found because they placed her right in the residential area where she would be discovered.
“Initially, when we came across her, she didn’t seem to have any visible injuries. It was only when we turned her over that we realized she was covered in blood.
“She has distinct grey Merle patches. Grey Merle is an uncommon colour in certain dog breeds.
“It’s not a natural colour like the typical solid colours of breeds such as the Bully XL or the American Bulldog.
“Usually, these breeds are a solid block of colour or white with brown patches.
“She stands out due to the unique grey Merle fur. Someone familiar with that distinct fur pattern might easily recognize her.”
She had no collar or tag on and was not microchipped.
Vicki added that the vets said that the dog seemed to be generally in a healthy state, barring the head trauma.
The XL Bully would have still been small enough to be exempt from ban as she was not yet big enough to meet the defined standards, but more fully-grown adult she would have had to have been registered under the new law.
Vick also highlights the fact that the large crate would not fix in a standard car and so it is possible that a van would have been needed to transport the dog.
Both police and the RSCPA confirmed that they had received the incident information.
The RSPCA is urging anyone with information to come forward urgently.
“We’re appealing to the public for help with this investigation,” Ms Ormerod said.
“If anyone recognises this poor dog then we’d urge them to get in touch.
“We’d also like to hear from anyone who lives in the area and has CCTV or a doorbell camera and can provide us with footage that may assist our enquiries.”
Vicki added: “Currently, this dog appears to be without an owner, lacking a microchip so technically, there is no designated victim.
“However, we are determined to pursue justice for this beautiful dog. It is evident that the dog was not cared for in the correct manner, and there is a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to inflict unnecessary pain and suffering on an animal.”
Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01210692.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “A member of the public found the body of an XL Bully dog along Halcot Avenue, Bexleyheath on Thursday, 18 January.
“An initial investigation into the circumstances was carried out and at this time there is no police investigation.
“Should any further information come to light, this will be assessed and investigated accordingly.”
Jiangxi Fire: President Xi Calls for Safety Review After Xinyu Tragedy
Meta Tags: Jiangxi Fire, Xinyu Tragedy, China Safety, President Xi Jinping, State Council, Work Safety Committee, Fire Incidents
A heartbreaking incident unfolded in the southeastern province of Jiangxi as a fire claimed the lives of at least 39 people and left nine others injured. The tragedy occurred in the city of Xinyu, where a blaze erupted in the basement of shops on Wednesday.
Government officials reported that the rescue operation has concluded, with no more individuals trapped in the building. CCTV footage captured the intense efforts of over 100 firefighters, police, and local government officials, operating multiple fire trucks and emergency response vehicles to combat the flames.
Chinese President Xi Jinping responded to the devastating incident, labeling it another safety tragedy. He urged the government and Communist Party to take decisive actions to prevent the frequent occurrence of safety accidents, underscoring the need to ensure the safety of lives, property, and overall social stability. President Xi issued orders for the State Council’s Work Safety Committee to address any gaps in safety measures.
The local government is actively investigating the cause of the fire. This marks the second fatal fire incident in less than a week, following a tragedy in the central Henan province where 13 people, primarily third-grade elementary school students from rural areas, lost their lives in a school dormitory fire. Authorities took the head of the school into custody during the ongoing investigation into the cause of that fire.
Social media in China has been flooded with expressions of outrage over these incidents, with calls for accountability and punishment for those responsible resonating strongly among users.
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Burglar Who Targeted Kent Supermarket Jailed Following Swift Police Response
A burglar who targeted a supermarket in East Peckham, Kent, has been sentenced to two years in prison after a rapid response by patrolling officers led to his arrest. Jake Simms, aged 29, of Long Lane, Southwark, Greater London, faced charges of burglary, dangerous driving, driving without a license, and driving without insurance. The incident […]
Disabled Tennis Star Advocates for GLL Sport Foundation’s Valuable Athlete Awards
A disabled tennis player has urged young athletes to apply for awards that could help them on their way to sporting success.
The GLL Sport Foundation Awards, the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme, closes its application window on February 20.
Offering financial help, sport facility access, lifestyle mentoring and physiotherapy and mental health aid, the awards are open to talented athletes in 65 areas across the UK.
Tennis star Lily Mills, who previously received an award, has qualified for the ‘Persons with Intellectual Impairments’ championships within the Australian Open grand slam tournament.
The 23-year-old athlete, who trains at the Islington tennis centre in Holloway, is among the eight participants competing in the three-day women’s championship in Melbourne, starting on January 26.
Ms Mills, confronted with the challenges of meningitis, septicaemia, and a rare condition called galactosemia since she was a baby, has triumphed in her field since picking up a racquet at the age of five.
Ms Mills said: “I’m really excited about the new round of GSF Awards.
“For all young athletes out there like me, these awards can make a huge difference to us staying in training and competing at the highest level.”
Tennis star Lily Mills is a previous award winner (Image: Islington LB)
The scheme has so far provided £14 million and distributed 26,000 awards to young sportspeople over its 15 years of operation.
Partnering with the charitable social enterprise GLL and various sponsors, the foundation expects to dish out £1.2 million of aid in 2024.
Successful applicants will also receive access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK managed by GLL under its “Better” trading brand.
This support has proved crucial for many, with the surging costs of training, equipment, conditioning and travel.
Past recipients of GSF awards include athletes such as sprinter Daryll Neita, table tennis player Anna Hursey, cyclist Charlotte Worthington, and triathlete Alex Yee.
GLL Sport Foundation chair Peter Bundey said: “There’s still time for talented athletes across the country to apply for our awards and take advantage of a unique opportunity to reach their sporting potential.
“Previous athletes tell us the awards provide a lifeline to individuals who want to compete at the highest level.”
Athletes can apply until Tuesday, February 20 via the GLL Sport Foundation website at https://www.gllsportfoundation.org
Shoplifter Assaults Co-op Employee After Stealing Alcohol
A prolific shop thief has been jailed just two days after he violently assaulted a member of staff in Sittingbourne Jack Wiley attacked an employee at the Co-op in Murston after he was caught stealing alcohol and food. Wiley, 28, entered the Church Road premises at around 3pm on Monday 22 January 2024, before walking […]
Day of the Endangered Lawyer: Law Society’s Global Interventions
In recognition of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer on January 24, the Law Society of England and Wales is paying tribute to legal professionals who face risks for upholding the rule of law and advocating for a robust justice system. As part of their commemoration, the Law Society has released key insights into their interventions globally through an annual tracker.
According to the recently published tracker, the Law Society took 40 actions in 2023, addressing concerns spanning 17 countries. The majority of these interventions (58%) were initiated due to apprehensions related to arbitrary arrest or detention, with harassment, threats, and violence accounting for 27% of the cases.
Law Society President Nick Emmerson expressed the gravity of the challenges faced by lawyers worldwide, stating, “Across the world, lawyers continue to face harassment, surveillance, detention, torture, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary arrest and conviction. Some are even killed, so it’s important to mark the Day of the Endangered Lawyer and honor those who risk their lives to defend the legal profession.”
Despite the use of intimidation tactics to undermine the legal profession, lawyers persist in protecting the vulnerable, defending human rights, and ensuring accountability for those who violate them. Emmerson highlighted the essential role lawyers play in upholding the rule of law and emphasized the need to draw attention to the challenges faced by countless legal professionals globally.
The Law Society’s intervention tracker for 2023 reflects actions taken on behalf of lawyers and human rights defenders. It is part of the Lawyers at Risk program, designed to support those prevented from carrying out their professional duties.
Emmerson concluded, “The Law Society stands in solidarity with legal professionals around the world. We will continue to work to support them and build strong, fair justice systems everywhere.” The commitment to defending the rights and safety of lawyers remains a crucial aspect of the Law Society’s mission in the global legal landscape.
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Speedboat Killer Jack Shepherd Released from Prison After Serving Half of His Sentence
Jack Shepherd, infamously known as the “Speedboat Killer,” has been released from prison today after serving just five years behind bars for the tragic death of his Tinder date, Charlotte Brown. The incident involved a booze-fueled high-speed crash on the River Thames, followed by Shepherd fleeing the country. The harrowing incident occurred in December 2015 […]
Effective Crime Prevention in Croydon Using Live Facial Recognition
For the second time in five days, the Met deployed live facial recognition technology in Croydon resulting in eight people being arrested. This action from officers on Tuesday, 23 January is a direct result of listening to community concerns about serious violence and other issues like theft and criminal damage in the Croydon area. Live […]
Huddersfield Man Sentenced Over 2018 Shooting Miscalculation
James Shaw, a 49-year-old resident of Huddersfield, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after admitting his role in a 2018 shooting that mistakenly targeted the wrong victim. The sentencing took place at Leeds Crown Court on January 23, 2024, following Shaw’s guilty plea to conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.
The incident, which unfolded on September 16, 2018, saw emergency services responding to Hammond Street around 18.15. The victim, a 16-year-old male, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries when suspects in a car pulled up alongside him and shot him in the back.
As investigations progressed, it became evident that the criminals had mistakenly identified the victim, thinking he was someone else. The motive behind the shooting was revealed to be retribution for a prior incident, leading to the innocent young man becoming an unintended target.
DCI Zaheer Abbas from the HMET investigation Team underscored the terrifying nature of the ordeal for the victim, who had no involvement in criminality or gangs. Abbas stated, “The streets of West Yorkshire belong to law-abiding citizens, not criminals, and I hope today’s sentence sends that message loud and clear.”
Highlighting the success of police efforts in reducing firearms-related incidents, Abbas pointed out that 2023 recorded the lowest number of firearms discharges in the force, with Kirklees experiencing a notable decline from 17 incidents in 2019 to 2 in 2023.
While Shaw was sentenced for his role, authorities believe he did not act alone, prompting an ongoing investigation. DCI Abbas urged individuals with information about other conspirators involved in the shooting to contact the police at 101, quoting reference number 13180462836.
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RSPCA Investigates Muzzled XL Bully’s Death in Sheffield
The RSPCA has initiated an investigation into a distressing incident where the lifeless body of a muzzled XL bully was discovered beneath the A57 flyover in The Washlands area of Beighton, near Sheffield, on Monday, January 22. The dog, a black and white XL Bully, is believed to have suffered fatal injuries after being thrown from the road above.
Inspector Kristy Ludlam expressed the grim details of the case, stating, “From the injuries sustained and the location where she was found, it appears that the poor dog was thrown from the flyover and died due to blunt force trauma injuries as she hit the ground.”
The RSPCA is urging anyone with information related to the incident, especially if they observed anything suspicious around the time the dog was found, to come forward. The dog was discovered on a route frequently used by dog walkers, and Inspector Ludlam underlined the urgency of the investigation.
The dog, microchipped to a breeder in Wigan, lacked registered details for the new owner. The incident adds a tragic layer to the recent classification of XL bullies as dangerous dogs under UK law. Owners were required to obtain exemptions by January 31 to retain their dogs, subject to stringent measures such as muzzling and leash requirements in public spaces.
Failure to secure an exemption could result in the seizure and euthanasia of the dogs by the police.
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