Walford Rogers was already serving a ban on keeping animals
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BBC News
January 15, 2008
A pensioner found guilty of causing suffering to 105 animals has been given a six month suspended jail sentence.
Walford Rogers, who lives in a caravan on land at Cwmbran, Torfaen, was banned
from keeping animals for 10 years.
The dogs and ferrets had been kept in poorly-built kennels and cages, Newport
magistrates heard. But Rogers, 75, still denied any wrong-doing.
The RSPCA, which spent £100,000 rehousing the animals, said the case sent a clear
signal to the public.
Rogers was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to 63 dogs and 42 ferrets
at Cwmbran magistrates court on 30 November.
He was in breach of an existing ban on keeping animals.
The court had heard that the animals were kept in poorly constructed kennels
and cages on his land.
'Disregard'
Martyn Prowel, prosecuting, said Rogers felt no remorse because he did not believe
he had done anything wrong.
"The prosecution say the defendant's acts were not just in disregard to the actions of court but also veterinary evidence heard at his trials and re-trials," said
Mr Prowel. "The very same observations were made in earlier trials.
Mr Walford Rogers feels the animals were well cared for and that there is
no need for remorse."
The court took note of Roger's previous convictions in respect to animal welfare
offences. In 2003, he was disqualified from keeping any more than 15 dogs.
In 2004, Rogers was disqualified from owning all dogs for a period of five years.
One of the dogs which was seized by the RSPCA
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However Huw Davies, defending, said Rogers lived off a state pension.
"Although he owns an acre of land on which he lives, his house is derelict
and he lives in a static caravan."
He added: "He is a person of very limited means."
The cost of caring for and housing the animals has cost the RSPCA in excess of £100,000 and the charity said its prosecution costs amounted to £10,000.
Rogers must pay £3,000 towards RSPCA costs.
Magistrates told him he would have been jailed if he had been younger.
Dr Christopher Rowlands, chairman of the magistrates, told Rogers he would have
gone to prison if it was not for his age.
"We consider these offences to be so serious that only custodial sentences can be justified," he
told him.
He took into account "the excessive number of animals" and his past record.
Rogers was given a total of six months imprisonment, suspended for one year.
After the case, the RSPCA said the sentence sent "a clear signal to the public" that serial animal welfare crimes would not be tolerated.
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