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Former trainer pleads guilty to seven counts of animal cruelty

 

Rebecca Hagger was banned by Peterborough Magistrates Court on 28 April 2008 from keeping all animals for 10 years and ordered to do 200 hours community service after previously pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to three greyhounds and failing to meet the welfare needs of another four greyhounds. In addition, Rebecca (known as Becky to her friends) had to pay £250 costs.

 

The court was told how on 06 September 2007, RSPCA inspector Kat Parfitt arrived at Red Brick Farm, Edgerly Drain Road, Fengate and  found seven greyhounds up to 6 kilos underweight and infested with fleas. Three of the greyhounds had numerous pressure sores and lesions.

 

The greyhounds had suffered for up to two months in squalid conditions without access to food and water. Tiny amounts of shredded paper were being used for bedding that was insufficient to provide any comfort and there was an overpowering stench of urine and dog mess.

 

Rebecca Hagger was formerly a kennel hand for her father Frederick John Hagger (now deceased); a trainer and owner attached to Peterborough greyhound stadium (one of 30 stadiums that come under the regulation of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC).

 

In 2007 Rebecca obtained a temporary trainers licence and was running the dogs at Peterborough stadium herself. It is reported that Rebecca shared ownership of the greyhounds with her father and was the sole owner following his death.

 

Peterborough stadium Racing Manager Martin Race refused to say whether Rebecca is still allowed at the track and Noel Thompson representing the NGRC said: “As far as I am concerned if she is a licence holder or not has got nothing to do with matters has it?”

 

 

 

Appalling: the blue male greyhound – racing name Itchy Scratchy - rescued from Red Brick Farm and found emaciated and covered in pressure sores and lesions.

 

 

One of the blood stained kennels at Red Brick Farm that was home to greyhounds under the ‘care’ of Rebecca Hagger. Sadly, many racing dogs are found living in similar conditions.