Sentencing Act sends case for Crown Court sentencing for the first time

A Bargoed man has been handed an eight month suspended prison sentence after admitting poisoning two cats belonging to his neighbours – in what has been labelled a “landmark case” for the RSPCA.

Tristian Paul Pearson (d.o.b 02/04/1978), of West Street, Bargoed, pleaded guilty to an Animal Welfare Act offence after he admitted causing two cats living nearby – Luna and Bailey – to take ethylene glycol, a substance which is highly poisonous to felines, which led to them to suffer, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The poisonings took place in early September 2021. Vet statements supplied to the court confirmed the kidney tubules of both cats were consistent with ethylene glycol poisoning.

The cats belonged to a father and daughter who lived in two separate properties near Pearson’s West Street home. Three young children – aged eight, five and 18 months – lived at the same property as one of the cats.

Bailey’s owner reported that his cat became unwell on 3 September, and appeared weak and wobbly. An appointment was made for Bailey, a male Persian cat, to see the vets, but he sadly died before that even took place.

A few days later, on 7 September, Luna, a female domestic short hair, returned home – to a property backing onto the house where Bailey lived – appearing very wobbly on her back legs. Her symptoms escalated, and vets found her to also have a high heart rate while her muscles were twitching. Sadly, vet tests confirmed Luna had kidney failure and she was put to sleep on humane grounds.

Following the deaths of the two pets, the cat’s owners looked in the rear garden of their neighbour’s property – and spotted two pots. One contained a bright blue liquid, and the other pot contained a food mix, including meat. These were retrieved, and passed to the RSPCA.

Some of the meat-type substance found in one of the pots was also found in the garden of Luna’s owner.

Tests later confirmed substances found in the pots contained a high concentration of ethylene glycol, one of which appeared to have been mixed with tuna fish – a food attractive to cats. An expert veterinary witness report concluded that it is “very highly likely that this was the source of ethylene glycol that caused the death of” Luna and Bailey.

The vet statement added that the “effects of ethylene glycol poisoning cause a cat to suffer via the mechanism of dehydration with subsequent headaches, nausea, disorientation, weakness and collapse”.

Pearson, 44, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on 5 August. In addition to an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, he was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified from keeping all animals for a period of five years; a ban which he may not contest for at least four years.

He was also ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA inspector Simon Evans, who investigated, said: “These poor cats were deliberately tempted into digesting a substance that is incredibly dangerous for cats and ultimately proved fatal to them both.

“One cat died before he could even be taken to the vets, while another had to be put to sleep to prevent suffering. Vets found clear evidence of the harm the ethylene glycol had done.

“The two dishes found in the defendant’s garden contained a high concentration of the dangerous substance – and he admitted in court that he caused them to consume it, causing them to suffer unnecessarily.

“We hope this shocking, landmark case sends a clear message to anyone thinking of targeting cats in this way – this is wrong, illegal and will not be tolerated.”

The case had originally been heard at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, where Pearson pleaded guilty – but was referred to Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing. The RSPCA believes this is the first such case to be referred in this way, following the coming into force of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 last year; demonstrating the seriousness of the offence.

Previously, the maximum sentence a magistrate could hand down for animal welfare offences was six months in prison –  however this was increased ten-fold to five years for certain Animal Welfare Act offences, and, under new guidelines, meant such animal cruelty crimes can now be heard in both magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court to reflect the new maximum penalty.

Hayley Firman of the RSPCA’s prosecutions department commented: “It’s good to see that the courts are applying the new legislation in a way it was intended”.

RSPCA Cymru continues to remind cat owners of the symptoms of poisoning – and to know what to do if they fear their cat has been targeted.

Inspector Evans added: “This case reminds us that pet poisonings do happen. Some of the symptoms these poor cats showed are typical of being poisoned.

“Vomiting, a depressed or sleepy demeanour, appearing drunk or uncoordinated, seizures, and breathing difficulties could all be symptoms of a cat being poisoned.

“Anyone fearing their cat may have been poisoned should try and remain calm, move the cat away from the source and contact a vet straight away.

“Potentially hazardous substances – like antifreeze – should also be used and stored responsibly, and safely away from curious felines.”