London Man Convicted of Dangerous Dogs Offences
A Wembley man has today (26.11.08) been convicted of nine offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act and the Animal Welfare Act at Brent Magistrates Court.
Akim Adelaja ( 22 yrs – 14.07.1986), of Elms Lane, Wembley was found guilty of offences are as follows:
One offence under Section 1 (1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Breeding of fighting dogs
One offence under Section 1 (3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Possession or custody of a fighting dog
Five offences under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006: Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure animal welfare
One offence under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006: Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
One offence under Section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006: Keeping/training an animal for use in connection with an animal fight.
His trial began at Brent Magistrates Court on Monday (24.11.08) and he will be sentenced on 16th December.
Sergeant Andy Lester from Brent Police Northwick Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: Akim Adelajas care of these dogs was clearly insufficient, despite the store of reading material he had built up on the subject.
To keep that many dogs in a small, one-bedroom, basement flat would have been obviously, to any normal individual, excessive. Adelajas disrespect for the safety of others, by breeding fighting dogs which are banned by law, has led to his conviction, and we will continue to work hard with our colleagues at BARK and the RSPCA to ensure that the safety of the public is assured, that dogs are cared for correctly, and not in the callous manner displayed by Adelaja.
Police Constable Simon Underwood, Preston Safer Neighbourhoods Team and BARK liaison officer said: We are extremely pleased with todays result, it has been a partnership investigation from the outset, which involved a number of officers and experts putting together a very complex case, we believe it is the first, or one the first cases of this size in London to take place involving both the Dangerous Dogs Act and the new Animal Welfare Act.
It goes to prove that by working with our BARK partners in relation to dog-related issues we can achieve some justice for the dogs themselves and send a strong message to offenders that we now have the tools to bring them before courts.
Chief Inspector Jan Eachus, RSPCA, said: Those involved in dog fighting have no regard for the welfare of animals. The dogs that they own are subjected to terrible suffering and not given veterinary treatment for their injuries.
We are determined to stamp out any form of dog fighting and to assist the police in convicting offenders. Todays result demonstrates the strength of the BARK partnership forum.
To recap:
On the morning of 7th September 2007, the Northwick Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team led colleagues from their neighbouring wards, six police dog handlers, two animal welfare officers from Brent Council and two RSPCA officials to an address in Elms Lane as they executed a search warrant under Section 5(2) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The operation was planned following several reports from members of the public and a growing suspicion that a number of dogs were being trained to fight at the address.
Police recovered a large amount of dog strengthening equipment at the property and seized 11 dogs under the Dangerous Dogs and Animal Welfare Acts in conjunction with the RSPCA. All 11 dogs, which included six puppies, were taken to a police kennels where they were examined thoroughly following concerns for their welfare.
The dogs were confirmed as below:
An American Bulldog bitch and six puppies recovered from a large cage approx 3? x 3?x 4?. They were found in the kitchen area.
A Mastiff-type dog with an injury to the left eye. This dog was found in the bathroom.
Two American Bulldogs and a Pitbull-type bitch. These dogs were in the bedroom at the rear of the premises
Also recovered were two writing pads containing handwritten contracts and dog breeding plans, books on dog breeds including, American Pitbull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, a large quantity of heavy-duty chains and weight pulling harnesses. Also present but not seized were tyres, which had apparently been used as part of strengthening exercises for the dogs.
The premises smelt heavily of dog urine and faeces, which were visibly present in the kitchen. The garden area was completely void of vegetation and there were innumerable dog faeces present. The pregnant bitch
subsequently gave birth to seven puppies all or which died through illness contracted prior to birth.
During the raid, Akim Adelaja, a 21 year old male was arrested under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act: possession of a fighting dog and Section 1(2): breeding and selling / making a gift thereof of a controlled dog, he was bailed to return to Wembley Police Station 02.11.07.
On Wednesday 21st November 2007, a Police Community Support Officer saw Adelaja with a Pitbull terrier-type dog and a Bull Terrier-type dog in Butlers Green, Sudbury. Neither dog was on a lead. When called, both dogs ignored Adelaja. Both dogs were biting and jumping up at the branches of the
trees causing damage.
The PCSO became concerned for his safety at one point as both dogs began to circle both himself and Adelaja with bared teeth.
On Friday 23rd November, police officers executed a further search warrant at his address in Elms Lane, Wembley where two further bulldog type dogs were present, along with a further quantity of heavy-duty chains. Adelaja was again arrested and subsequently charged at Wembley Police Station on 6th
March 2008 with a variety of offences under the Dangerous Dogs and Animal Welfare Act.
About BARK
Londons first multi-agency partnership forum, BARK (Brent Action for Responsible K9s) was launched in January 2007 to tackle the irresponsible use of dogs in the borough.
The initiative has been set up to promote responsible dog ownership and to take action in relation to criminal activity and welfare issues concerning dogs. The BARK forum is made up of the RSPCA, Metropolitan Police Service, The Mayhew Animal Home, Brent Council and Brent Housing Partnership (BHP).
BARK was formed following the increased collaboration between the partners on dog-related incidents in the local area over the past year.
The joint partnership is already working together with the aims of educating the community on dog welfare and responsible pet ownership, reducing the incidents where dogs are misused and investigating anti-social behaviour linked with the misuse of dogs. This is being done through a combination of each party using reassurance, intelligence, prevention and enforcement.
NOTE: He was acquitted of one offence under Section 3 (1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Possession of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.
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- Man Charged Under New Dog Fighting Law
- Another Dangerous Dogs Act Canine Welfare Scandal: Dogs Continue to Die in “Police Care”
- RSPCA Speaks Out Over BSL & Dangerous Dogs Act
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