Rural Task Force November round up

A dog that suffered horrific injuries that went untreated has been signed over to the care of the RSPCA after the owner admitted animal cruelty offences.

The man was arrested in April after officers from the Rural Task Force (RTF) executed a warrant on behalf of the RSPCA at a farm in Medway. As a result of the search officers seized two dogs, one of which had suffered severe facial injuries resulting in the animal losing half of its jaw.

The suspect appeared before Medway Magistrates Court in November and admitted animal cruelty offences. He will be sentenced in December.

One of many cases

This was just one of many cases brought to court with the assistance of the RTF in November.

Officers from the team dealt with a variety of rural issues throughout the month arresting 16 people, seizing 16 vehicles and issuing six tickets for traffic related offences. The officers also investigated the large-scale theft of metal from Chartham resulting in two people being arrested.

On 2 November 2021 it was reported that staff at a unit in Chartham had been threatened with an axe before the suspects made off with a large quantity of metal. Officers from the RTF made a number of enquiries and on 11 November two people were arrested in Faversham in connection with the robbery.

A man in his 50s and a 17-year-old boy were interviewed and have been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.

A report of a distraction burglary in which a man in his 80s was targeted resulted in the team arresting a man. The incident happened in Margate on 12 November and it was reported that two men called at the victim's home and offered to repair the roof of his property. The work was agreed and paid for. After they left, the victim noticed a quantity of cash had been stolen. One of the suspects was located in Ashford on 15 November and arrested on suspicion of burglary. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Hare coursing

Officers from the team continue to investigate reports of hare coursing, working as part of a seven-force collaboration to tackle the issue. There were 58 reports of the illegal blood sport in November with a number of Community Protection Warnings being issued and items seized from suspects.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw of the Rural Task Force said: ‘It has been a busy November for the team who have worked exceptionally hard to tackle crime in the rural community and offer support and reassurance to residents.

‘We continue to see the Farm Watch group expanding and act upon the intelligence received through the service.

‘There were a number of livestock worrying incidents reported to us where sheep were killed and seriously injured by out of control dogs. We have been successful in identifying the owners responsible and are taking appropriate action.’