A man has today (Monday 11 October) received a suspended prison sentence and banned from owning animals for life after pleading guilty to several animal cruelty and animal welfare offences
Humza Saleem, aged 23, was sentenced at St Albans Magistrates Court to 23 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Investigations were launched by the police after a pig was found to have been killed by a dog –- the second such attack in the area. Police investigating the scene found a clean black designer wallet which had been recently dropped in a muddy field. Saleem was identified through items in the wallet by police and bailed pending investigation.
During the subsequent investigation Saleem’s mobile was examined which revealed thousands of disturbing images and videos, depicting animal fights, foxes and pigs being killed by dogs and dogs of a banned breed being trained on a treadmill.
Hertfordshire Police reported the case to the CPS who then authorised Saleem to be charged with a number of animal cruelty offences. Saleem originally pleaded not guilty but changed his plea at an appearance at St. Albans Magistrates Court on Friday 3 September.
Ashley Petchey, of the CPS, said: “This case demonstrates the lengths to which offenders will go to regardless of the risks to themselves, their animals and others in the wider community.
“The CPS worked closely with the police to build a strong case against Humza Saleem and we would like to thank Hertfordshire Police for their diligence and hard work during the investigation.
“Animals can be much loved members of our homes and communities, and we will continue to collaborate with the police to bring offenders of these disturbing crimes to justice.”
