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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Caged animal fight organiser jailed | Caged animal fight organiser jailed |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The ringleader of a gang which carried out attacks on wild animals including putting a dog in a cage with a fox has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison. | |
| Eleven men are being sentenced after admitting or being found guilty of a total of 27 offences. | Eleven men are being sentenced after admitting or being found guilty of a total of 27 offences. |
| Graham Coombes, 41, from Abbey Road, Bovey Tracy, Devon, was also disqualified from owning dogs for life. | |
| The dog killed the fox after the two animals fought in a tiny cage, Plymouth magistrates heard. | |
| More on the animal cruelty case, plus other news | More on the animal cruelty case, plus other news |
| Referring to photographs of a dog with its mouth and neck ripped open by a badger, District Judge Diana Baker said to Coombes: "You are the ringleader of organised animal hunting and killing and you had no regard to the welfare of these animals." | Referring to photographs of a dog with its mouth and neck ripped open by a badger, District Judge Diana Baker said to Coombes: "You are the ringleader of organised animal hunting and killing and you had no regard to the welfare of these animals." |
| "You were videoing it and you were clearly excited by what was happening." | "You were videoing it and you were clearly excited by what was happening." |
| The court heard how dogs were also set on badgers, on deer and in one case, a pig. | The court heard how dogs were also set on badgers, on deer and in one case, a pig. |
| It also heard dogs had been mistreated or not cared for when injured. | It also heard dogs had been mistreated or not cared for when injured. |
| Magistrates were shown mobile phone footage including one in which a fox and a dog in a cage fought to the death, with the dog killing the fox. | Magistrates were shown mobile phone footage including one in which a fox and a dog in a cage fought to the death, with the dog killing the fox. |
| Several members of the gang covered faces with their hands as it was shown. | Several members of the gang covered faces with their hands as it was shown. |
| The charges and sentences: |