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DAILY ECHO (Southampton, UK) 25 August 10 Dragon lizards were left to die in bin bags
A couple who dumped exotic reptiles in dustbin bag were tracked down after their fingerprints were found on the binliner.
The five bearded dragons were found in hedgerow after they were abandoned and left for dead by civil partners Andrew Bews-Foster, 40, and Rodney Bews-Foster, 44. The pair have now been told they could be banned from keeping animals for ten years after they admitted animal cruelty offences in court.
RSPCA prosecutor Matthew Knight told New Forest magistrates the couple had owned the reptiles, which required a special diet and an ultra-violet light source, for about two years.
When they appeared to be off their food and sluggish Andrew Bews-Foster believed them to be dead and dumped them in two New Forest District Council dustbin bags.
They were later found in a hedge in Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge. One of the reptiles was dead, one died later and three survived, the court was told.
The Bews-Fosters were later identified by fingerprints on the refuse sacks.
The couple, who were living at Salisbury Road in Fordingbridge at the time of the offence in April both pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Welfare Act of not providing five dragons with a suitable environment and to causing unnecessary suffering.
Defence solicitor Chris Gaiger said his clients were under the impression the animals were easy to keep and maintain.
They had bought a large vivarium for the dragons and fed them live locusts. He explained that the couple had moved them into the garage which was thought to be an appropriate location, but the reptiles deteriorated.
Sentencing was adjourned until September 3.
Chairman Ian Eccles warned the defendants to expect a “high level” community order and said he knew there was a veterinary practice within a few yards of the address the couple were sharing.
He added he would be looking to impose a ten-year disqualification from keeping animals.
Andrew Bews-Foster still lives in Salisbury Road but Rodney Bews-Foster now lives in nearby Park Road.
Dragon lizards were left to die in bin bags

DAILY ECHO (Bournemouth, UK) 04 September 10 Andrew and Rodney Bews-Foster who dumped lizards get 10-year ban on keeping reptiles
Two men have been banned from keeping reptiles for 10 years, ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service each and pay costs totalling £2,226 after pleading guilty to dumping five bearded dragon lizards.
The lizards had been thrown away in bin bags by 40-year-old Andrew Bews-Foster and his civil partner Rodney, who shared an address in Salisbury Road, Fordingbridge. Rodney Bews-Foster, 44, now lives in nearby Park Road.
After yesterday’s sentencing hearing at New Forest Magistrates’ Court, an RSPCA animal welfare officer spoke of her shock at finding the lizards.
AWO Jo Blackburn, had been called to Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge after a runner found the plastic bags in a hedge.
“I opened up the bag and four of them crawled out of the bag. I was quite taken aback by that because I was expecting them to be dead,” said AWO Blackburn.
“I was shocked and taken aback. It was one of the worst incidents of animal cruelty I have come across, without a doubt.
“They were all very emaciated and cold and one had died.”
The men had previously pleading guilty to not providing the reptiles with a suitable environment and causing unnecessary suffering.
The animals were found last April and the owners were eventually tracked down through fingerprints.
One of the five was dead on arrival at the specialist veterinary surgery in Wareham and one had to be put down later.
A report said they had been suffering from chronic malnourishment and poor husbandry over a period of two months and the owners had shown a “contemptuous disregard for animal welfare”.
Chris Gaiger, defending, said the pair had moved them to the garage when space became tight in the study.
They thought they had died.
The three surviving bearded dragons have been rehomed with reptile expert John Reem in Canford Heath, Poole.
Andrew and Rodney Bews-Foster who dumped lizards get 10-year ban on keeping reptiles