Teen trained young brother to illegally hunt and kill wildlife

"We will continue to target those who choose to hunt wildlife with dogs and will not rest until the punishment suits the crime."

A 19-year-old man exposed his primary-school-age brother to illegal hunting activities including lamping foxes, hare coursing and digging out badgers, an animal welfare charity has revealed.

The teenager’s sadistic hobby was exposed by Naturewatch Foundation during their covert investigations into the illegal persecution of wildlife using dogs.

Benny Joe Eastwood, from Rochester in Kent, shared incriminating images and video footage on social media, including photographs of:

Naturewatch Foundation’s investigations team sent a comprehensive report of their findings to Kent Police, suggesting that dogs were being used in wildlife crime. Alongside the RSPCA, Kent’s Rural Task Force subsequently executed a warrant under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 in April this year.

Two dogs were seized at the property. Both had injuries consistent with encounters with foxes or badgers. Their wounds were at various stages of healing, which suggested they were not from a single incident. One dog was missing half of his top lip. Eastwood appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court this month, where he pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act relating to the dogs.

Naturewatch Foundation’s wildlife crime campaign manager, Kate Parker, said: "It has been seen that, in some families, animal cruelty is somewhat of a family affair, with youngsters exposed to it and encouraged to take part in activities, such as illegal hunting, before they are old enough to understand the consequences. These practices are normalised, and passed on as a generational tradition, regardless of how barbaric and cruel it is. There is clearly a blatant disregard for the welfare of wildlife, their own animals and, ultimately, the children, being exposed to such cruelty.

“This investigation was a great result for all involved. I thank Kent Police for actioning our investigation package and the RSPCA for taking on the prosecution. We will continue to target those who choose to hunt wildlife with dogs and will not rest until the punishment suits the crime.”

One of Naturewatch Foundation’s other campaigns involves training police internationally on the link between human and animal abuse, and how witnessing cruelty to animals can affect young children.

Mark Randell, campaign manager for the charity’s police training programme, said: "There is a growing recognition of the impact that witnessing violence to animals has on a child’s development, and subsequent propensity to become involved in violent crime themselves.

“In Ukraine, where we train the police and others about the importance of animal abuse, the Criminal Code raises the maximum jail term to eight years when animal cruelty is committed in front of children. This sets an example to the rest of the world – including the UK. Treating animal abuse with the seriousness it deserves creates safer communities for both animals and people.”

Eastwood was sentenced to 12 weeks custody (suspended for two years), a community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and a requirement to complete 10 RAR (Rehabilitation Activity Requirement) days. He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for life and ordered to pay £400 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Naturewatch Foundation asks the public to confidentially report their suspicions of named individuals using dogs to illegally hunt wildlife:

More information and advice are available on the Naturewatch Foundation website: www.naturewatch.org