Fury over ‘lenient’ fine for Hayle woman who hit nursing dog

In Cornwall, animal lovers are increasingly angry over what many believe is the “far too lenient” fine received by a dog breeder for kicking and punching a nursing dog. Sharon Jeannine Gladwell, of Mount Pleasant, Hayle, was reported to the RSPCA by a member of the public last July for punching and kicking the dog in her care.

Trust, the dog, was bought as a puppy from Gladwell in 2018 under an agreement that when she was three years old she would be returned to the breeder in Penwith to have a litter of puppies. In May 2021, the RSPCA said the Trust had been steeled and her owner returned her to Gladwell’s home to give birth in July, along with another pregnant dog.

The dog’s owner said she was asked by Gladwell to help repair the rooms in her two birthing rooms, a cage designed to protect puppies during birth. She was able to fix them and downloaded an app on her phone so she could see them too.

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While checking the cameras, Trust’s owner saw Gladwell kicking and punching the dog as she lay on her fetal bed and was surrounded by a litter of eight puppies. Gladwell, 51, appeared at Bodmin Crown Court on Tuesday June 18 to be sentenced after pleading guilty to two offenses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

A vet who viewed the footage collected at the time and passed it on to the RSPCA, told the court the Trust had suffered physical pain as a result of the incident as well as “emotional stress”. The court also heard how one puppy died from suspected leptospirosis – a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals – but the others were all sold and Trust was returned to her owner.

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Gladwell was fined £733, ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £293 surcharge, but was given no ban on keeping animals. The lack of a ban is what has angered many in the Hayle community.

The case has horrified many who have accused the magistrates’ court of being too lenient. Concerned resident Caroline Eshghi decided to launch a petition on Change.org to express her anger and call for Gladwell’s sentence to be reviewed and updated to include a ban.

On the website, she wrote: “Our small community in Hayle, Cornwall has been shocked and deeply upset by the horrific acts committed by one of our own – Sharon Gladwell of Mount Pleasant, Hayle. The video evidence exposed the disturbing reality that Gladwell has. she abused a dog and puppies in her care, she was quickly taken down by the RSPCA and fined by Bodmin Magistrates.

“The effects of animal abuse are deeply traumatic and have a lasting impact on animal victims. This type of behavior cannot be overlooked or met with a light fine. animals and discourages animal abuse.

“So we implore you to consider the weight of Gladwell’s actions. If her crime is met with such a lenient sentence, it sends a dangerous message to others who may commit similar acts. We are making this petition to ask for a harsher sentence for Sharon. Gladwell – a lifetime ban on dog ownership. This more appropriate sentence will not only reflect the severity of her actions, but also protect the animals from falling into her hands again.

The petition itself is legally useless because only defendants can challenge their sentence in court. In Crown Court cases, under the Unjust Sentencing scheme, anyone can ask for certain sentences to be reviewed by the Attorney General if they think the sentence is too lenient. Only certain types of crime are included, such as murder or rape, and animal cruelty is not covered by the scheme.

However, the petition, which carries no legal weight, has gathered more than 1,400 signatures showing the strength of feeling about the case in the Hayle area and beyond.

Signatory Liz Mitchell said: “Cruelty to animals should never be excused. She should be banned for life.” Beki White agreed, adding: “It’s a shame. I feel sorry for all her dogs she’s had over the years. I used to see her walking a whole pack of them through Hayle. If only we had known then what horrors she was. she must be dealt with properly not only with a fine but also with imprisonment.”

Linda Chanel added: “The least that should happen to this monster is a lifetime ban from keeping or caring for animals. Stuart Middleton agreed: “The thought that this woman will be able to do this to other defenseless animals in the future turns my stomach. A lifetime ban is the only option. No ifs, no buts, no benefit of the doubt. Owning animals is a privilege, not a right.”