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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

"The animals were found last April and the owners were eventually tracked down through fingerprints."

Such sleuthing. Glad to see Scotland Yard is so on the ball.

" “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. "

Awww, what a shame! She'd better retire now. It's just too much to bear.

jsc
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