Cain Anthony Lambert, 34 from Stockton has appeared in Teesside Magistrates Court charged with breaching an order banning him from keeping or looking after animals when he was convicted of filming what was described as a ‘barbaric’ attack on a fox at Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court in 2013. He was sent to prison for 24 weeks and banned from owning or having responsibility for animals for life.

Lambert admitted two counts of breaching the restriction when he appeared before magistrates. The first offence related to him owning two dogs between May 27, 2020 and October 29, 2021 and the second related to him looking after his cousin’s dog on October 28, 2021.

The offences came to light when the noise of dogs barking was reported to the R.S.P.C.A. An Inspector visited Lambert’s house and the two dogs Lambert owned were taken into care. The other dog was returned to Lambert’s cousin.

Lambert was bailed for sentencing next month after probation reports have been prepared.

It is extremely unusual for a dog fighting incident to be an isolated occurrence. Individuals involved in this activity often come to it early, frequently introduced to it by close male relatives and are so indoctrinated that they rarely want to stop. It is an escalatory offence, that is to say that the initial excitement is quickly satiated and the offender seeks more and greater violence and brutality to satisfy their lusts.

It is good to see the R.S.P.C.A. following up on cases where individuals have been banned from owning or caring for animals.

Full story with photos here.