A MAN given a lifetime ban from keeping animals was found with three dogs in his garden.
Cain Lambert, 34, was said to find it difficult to live without dogs when he was sentenced for two breaches of his animal disqualification at Teesside Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.
The hearing was told how Lambert was jailed for 24 weeks and given a lifetime ban on keeping animals in November 2013 by the same court after he was convicted of two animal welfare offences.
In the latest court hearing, on April 5, magistrates were told how the RSPCA was called to investigate following reports from a concerned member of the public.
Inspector Garry Palmer attended Lambert’s address, at Dunoon Close, Stockton, along with officers from Cleveland Police, on October 28, 2021.
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In the garden, in a pen, he discovered three lurcher-type dogs, a dark brindle Bull Lurcher male, Crash, a light brindle Bull Lurcher male called Bully and a grey and white male Lurcher called Ted.
They were taken into RSPCA care due to Lambert being in breach of the lifetime disqualification order.
Investigations later revealed how he owned two dogs and was involved in an arrangement whereby he was caring for a third dog, the light brindle lurcher called Bully. This dog was returned to his owner by the RSPCA.
Inspector Palmer said: “I advised at the time that as he was banned from keeping animals, the two other dogs would remain with the RSPCA while the animal welfare charity looked at a possible prosecution.”
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As well as the community order with a requirement to undertake 30 rehabilitation activity days, Lambert must also carry out 150 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £400 prosecution costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
In mitigation the court was told that after the ban Lambert found it difficult not to have dogs and he kept them for 17 months while also looking after a relative's dog.
Mr Palmer added: “We rely on the public to notify us of any breach of bans and I would always urge them to report matters like this to us so we can intervene.”
Crash and Ted were rehabilitated in RSPCA care and have since been rehomed by the charity.
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